general resources

[Anonymous]

I loved the picture of the luggage whirly-ma-gigs. Is that astro-turf on the top flat section? If so, what's up with that?

The turnstile picture makes me think about this one commentary I heard from Robert Reich about
China's "non-democratic capitalism." The ingenuity of those ads, the idea of taking up every little itty bit of space for a commercial hook seems to speak in a language that defies all boundaries. Making a buck.
Those ads are just one breath, just one example, of the sprint China is on regarding their fast-paced economic transformation. Reich's argument's are interesting for he says as we see China become even more capitalistic than the US, this economic turnaround does not mean there are democratic reforms afoot. The changes in China force people to face the notion thrown about for decades...almost a century...that capitalism and democracy walk hand in hand. Of course, all this talk of democracy leaves me a bit hungry. The term as of late has been made so light .
Check out what Reich has to say. It's very intriguing. (See. I warned you. Everything eventually will drag me back to something I heard on NPR. Even a silly picture of astro-turf at an airport. It's almost a pathology. What will happen when we're bumming around the streets of Xian or Nara? What will I do? The shakes will be nasty, I guess. I should have given full disclosure of my condition in my application in the section that asks can you handle the physical challenges of the trip. I wonder if it's too late for them to kick me out. )

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/01/04/AM200601041.html%5BEdit by="ngasparik on Mar 30, 9:29:10 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

You will not believe this, but I have never listened to NPR. Where on the dial do you find it?

[Anonymous]

In the LA area NPR is 89.9.

[clay dube]

Julia noted KCRW at 89.9 and we should add KPCC at 89.3.

[Anonymous]

In Orange County, it's 89.3 FM.

[Anonymous]

I've been trying to do some research every now and then on some of the spots we'll be spinning through. Here seems like a great page on Xi'an. As of this moment, Xi'an seems the place (besides Kyoto) that I'm most excited about. I'm sure my feelings will change. Here's the web site.

Where are some of you folks finding your self most interested in and why?

I feel so drawn to Xian because of it being an old terminus of these great trade routes. The early Buddhist influence and the early Muslim scene, too. Amazing. I could go on and on but I'll stop. It just seems that Xi'an was global a long, long time gone and it just floors me to think on these things.

http://depts.washington.edu/uwch/silkroad/cities/china/xian/xian.html

Clay, what sort of places will we hit while in Xi'an? Are we going to the mosque and will we hang out with the terra cotta soldiers? My curiosity, it's insatiable. Do I have to wait until the LA orientation to find out?

Nicole

[Anonymous]

Hi Nicole and tour group friends,

How are you? I too think that my favoriote place is X'ian. I cannot wait to see the terra cotta soilders. I really hope that is something we get to see. My class studies Emperor Qin in depth and to see the actual site would be amazing.

I also read the article "China's Many Faces" posted on the UCLA website that was written by a SF teacher who went on the trip last year. In it, he talks about being at the edge of the Gobi Desert, right on the Silk Road, and mentions going sand surfing and camel riding. I re-read the article about a million times.

No doubt that this trip is going to be life changing. Cheers-Dana

[Anonymous]

It sounds like we're all on the same page. I don't know about all of you, but I've always wanted to ride a camel!
We have a lot to look forward to. Does anyone know if we have any "free time?" There are many little nooks I'd like to check out.
-Julia

[Anonymous]

I want to check out the article you mention. Regarding free time, I wonder how much we could really have seeing that our tour is such a whirl-wind. Of course there must be some. Everything, every moment, will be full of new and exciting sounds and sights (and smells) that my usually vagabond feet will most likely be satisfied with the experience at hand, be it planned or not.

Our time in LA is fast approaching. It will be nice to meet every one soon.

Nicole

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

Our weekend in L.A. is quickly approaching, and I'm wondering if I've missed information about what we out-of-towners need to bring. I saw Clay's posting in regards to visa materials and money, but is anyone aware of anything else we should bring?

Thanks!

Marisa

[Anonymous]

First off, it was incredible connecting face to name this weekend. I am excited about sharing this adventure with all of you. I know I will learn so much from each one of you. Thank you in advance.

Tonight I am full of thoughts and tangents. My head awash in ponderings and possibilities. Please indulge me in two of these meanderings. If you are able to survive the twists and turns of my logic, maybe you’ll have something to say on these reflections from this weekend or even better, paint out your own.

During Sam’s lecture on Seven Common Myths About Japan, I had the following questions and I wonder if anyone has a comment regarding my queries.

How do myths serve the identity of those that hold true the myths? In other words, how does a society and/or individual use a myth to define itself? What purpose does the myth serve for the believer of the myth?

I asked those questions while Sam was speaking, not wanting to raise my hand because I knew that the answer would most likely gobble up the little time we had remaining. But I think the questions are important, for what do these seven myths say about the United States and its own identity? What purpose do those myths serve in shaping how the United States understands itself as a people and a nation? What political, social, and economic insecurities do the myths expose?

For example, take the first myth Sam spoke of: the myth that Japan is a country of borrowers. Well, what does that imply? To say that Japan is a country of borrowers implies that Japan is NOT a country of innovators. Therefore, to hold this myth as true, is to hold that Japan is only capable of imitation. Does it also imply that the US rules the domain of originality? Is part of the role of this myth in the history of the national psyche to defend an American conception of its special role in the world? Does it and has it acted as a salve to explain Japan’s rapid industrialization in the early 20th century and later it’s economic and manufacturing success?

Of course it is absurd to damn a country for the skill of adoption and adaptation of ideas. Civilizations that thrive know a good idea when then see it and make it their own. I’m sure you can think of a galaxy of examples in a blink of am eye. Rome borrowing from the Greeks. The early Islamic empires borrowing from the Persians and Byzantines. On and on and on. How absurd to denigrate a country for BORROWING ideas and technologies! This particular myth that Sam presented, along with the other six, reflect America’s anxieties and sense of identity. Turning these myths around and studying the underbelly, speak more to who we are than to what Japan is. For instance, think about myth number two, Japan as a homogeneous people. Well, if that is true or not, Americans love to give virtue to our diversity-- that this is, indeed, our strength. If this is an example of our power, then to say Japan is homogenous is to imply Japan, in essence, is weak. I could go through each one, but I think you get my point. These myths more describe and define Americans --their understood identity and their fears—more than these myths would ever truly describe the Japanese people. Such is the nature of myths and stereotypes held by any group of people anywhere on the planet.

Believe it or not, that was only my first point, but I promise that my second point will be brief.

The following struck me.

While in Japan, we will eat Korean food in Osaka, we will eat a Bento lunch at school, we will visit a factory, we will eat at the oldest Soba restaurant in the world, we will visit Hiroshima.

We will visit Hiroshima.

When Sam spoke of Hiroshima and it suddenly became real that I indeed was going to be there, I felt this wave of horror and sorrow sweep through my body and I’m surprised I didn’t start weeping at the table in that library conference room of Near East Studies. My physical response to this list of places startled me. How bizarre to think of Hiroshima in context of our itinerary, placed in between lunch and a visit to a shrine. Talk about examples of manifestations of power, uh? Nothing like a mushroom cloud to prove that point.

I am startled by the contrast in these images. A bento lunch. A visit to Hiroshima War Memorial.

I’ll stop my rambling there.
[Edit by="ngasparik on Apr 23, 11:11:26 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

In reference to the seven myths about Japan, I think it would be better to call them stereotypes. That more accurately suggests that they are exaggerations of traits that have existed in Japan's history. To use any one of them to characterize all Japanese people, or all Japanese history would be logically and morally wrong. The same would be true of using particular traits to characterize any entire group of people or culture, including our own. I don't think it is just people in the U.S. who have used these stereotypes about Japan, as evidenced by the recent anti-Japanese demonstrations in China.

Stereotypes are used for several reasons. They simplify complex realities, and, as Natalie suggested, make the users feel a senses of superiority. The motive for both of these is fear of the unknown, or in academic speak, fear of the "other." This itself is probably derived from the two world views that Clay mentioned, the local and the global, also variously called the tribal and the cosmopolitan. For those who are strongly attached to their local beliefs and traditions, whether those be from a clan, religion, or neighborhood, any outside or different set of customs and beliefs is seen as a threat. Thus, the use of stereotypes to justify unjust actions, something both today's terrorists, and yes, the current U.S. admininstration have done.

However, one must be careful not to deny that some degree of truth may be present in these stereotypes, indeed, that is what gives them power. Demagogues know the effectiveness of half-truths to confuse and exploit untrained minds. The solution is not to present only the positive aspects of a culture, but to show as full a picture as possible of all its history and beliefs, so that any one aspect is put in proper context to the whole. To deny that certain traits have ever existed, or that they once may even have dominated a culture, not only keeps that culture from progressing, but provides ammunition for extremists and bigots to "prove" that those who oppose them are wrong.

I think that Sam was trying to present evidence that would compensate for the narrow and often negative characterizations of Japanese culture. However, there is no denying that its rulers did have a long period when they were militaristic, and antagonistic to foreigners. And, some of this was due to the fact that as an island nation they did have a largely homogenous population, though there were certainly differences among their own people. However, we have heard in these seminars, that those born outside of Japan, even though of Japanese heritage, are still not treated the same way as native born Japanese. This is that tribal perspective, though it certainly does not exist only in Japan. Also, much of Japan's modern militarism was in response to Europe's own imperialist beliefs and actions. Interestingly, Japan, like other countries, had times when they were isolated, and times when they consciously went out and copied successful ways from other countries. The latter does not deny Japan's own creativity, instead it shows their openness to other ideas than their own. In my opinion, that is one of the chief reasons the U.S. has been so successful in its history, it has constantly been reenergized by new, ambitious immigrants and new ideas.

All this shows that, despite what most people would like to think, the reality of any issue, group, or circumstance is in fact quite complex. Thus, the truth in that famous saying, " if you hear someone say they have a simple solution to a complex issue, you can be sure it is wrong." It is up to us to always try and see the larger picture.

[Anonymous]

I too am finding my thoughts about the visit to Hiroshima emotionally charged. I remember reading the book, Hiroshima in the eighth grade after completing a unit on the Holocaust. I don't think I really made the connection between my teacher's selection of the two until right now, oddly enough. But I do remember being horrified and angry while completing that unit of study. "How could we do such a thing," I wondered, and still do.

A few weeks ago I came across an adapted version of that text in my classroom library. It was one of the books given to all DRW teachers because it is a high interest low level reader. It occured to me that while I teach Farewell to Manzanar I discuss Pearl Harbor and WWII, but have never really discussed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in depth. This seems an obvious hole in my curriculum and an obvious focal point for my trip's gatherings.

In a lot of ways I'm scared to go to the memorial. To think that I was a part of something that destructive, that inhumane is horrifying, but the only way to ensure it doesn't happen again is to bear witness. I hope my presence there will help my students to bear witness as well, and to take right action in their lives based on that. I think Facing History and Ourselves has some useful information/tools that I can draw from as I further develop my curriculum plans. Maybe I'll focus on the ways in which we record and internalize the events of our lives and those lives that came before us. Ahhh. So many ideas, so little time!

[Anonymous]

This is rather late notice because I didn't think of putting it on this site until just yesterday, duh! Anyway, I've been going to a Chinese watercolor painting class since last summer at Santa Monica College. The teacher is Linco Chow, who was born in China, and teaches also at a Westside high school. Several of her adult students have been with her for 8-10 years, so their work is truly exceptional. She is having her 16th Annual Art Exhibition of her students' work today and tomorrow 11am to 5pm. Sunday, there is also an Artist Reception Party with food and drink. If you are interested in seeing some beautiful examples of Chinese brush painting--flowers, landscapes, animals and people in various scenes, you should drop by. It is in El Monte at the Chinese Cultural Center, 9443 Telstar Ave., and the phone number is (626) 443-9999. Sorry again for such late notice.

[Anonymous]

Hi folks,

Just wanted to offer a list of books on southeast Asia that I have enjoyed.

A Daughter of Han, by Ida Pruitt
Red Star Over China, by Edgar Snow
Life and Death in Shanghai, by Nien Cheng
Wild Swans, by Jung Chang
God's Chinese Son, by Jonathan Spence
Still Life With Rice, by Helie Lee
The Dragon's Village, by Yuan-Tsung Chen
When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, by Le Ly Hayslip
North Korea, by Bruce Cumings
The Rape of Nanking, by Iris Chang
The Aquariums of Pyongyang, by Kang Chol-Hwan
Wild Grass, by Ian Johnson

I own most of these books, and would be more than happy to share them. It's easy to mail books, and relatively cheap, so just let me know if you're interested. Also, has anyone read The Rape of Nanking? Sam mentioned it when he was talking about myths or stereotypes regarding Japan, saying that there are many mistruths in this book. I'm curious to talk with him more about this, and was just wondering if anyone shared the same questions.

Marisa

[Author]

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