[Frederic Vial]

Great questions.  I was hoping more light would've been shed on how/if communism directly impacted the various dynamics discussed, especially since the presenter has/had first-hand knowledge through personal experience.  This personal experience is what I was hoping to hear more about, however I realize the time constraints are/were what they are.

 

[Frederic Vial]

Ozu's films portray and provide an extensive social commentary on post-WWII Japan - specifically as it related to Japan's sociopolitical changes brought about by the Occupation (the 8-yearrebuilding efforts conducted by the United States from 1945-1953).  By revealing familial changes and interactions, Ozu strategically and poignantly uses the family unit as a microcosm for changes that were readily occurring in post-WWII Japan.  The absence of the young single male is palpable in Ozu's early work.  This absence is not only a result of or due to a generation of young men killed during the war but of the silencing and disappearance of the Japanese male due to shame as a result of losing the war.  As is made clear by Macarthur's post-WWII plan, the immediate disintegration of the Japanese military was the first step.  Japan's new constitutional draft, specifically Article 24, references the immediate changes with respect to traditional male/female roles.  Women would have the right to choose their husbands, for instance.  Property rights, inheritance, gender roles would also be examined and equated.  The power vacuum created, the absence of influence by the Japanese male, would influence Japan's rebuilding process and cause a disappearance of young Japanese men in more ways than one.

[Frederic Vial]

The article speaks to the effects of the #metoo movement in South Korea and its origins from incidents which occurred in South Korean schools.  It's a testament to the power of social media and its global attributes.  Prior to the movement, students had complained about a specific teacher at a school for 6+ years without any action from the school board.  Recently, a man in a high-power position was sentenced to 3 1/2 years for sexual harrassment, signaling the winds are, indeed, changing in the severity of such cases.  Although many of the women have been targeted by those engaging in bullying tactics, it's remarkable the steadfast resolve the women have collectively shown.  Having said this, when a movement gains in such popularity and strength, it is important to always retain a sense of context and perspective as every incident/case is specific and must stand on its own merits.  If not, many social movements can potentially become mob-like in nature, resulting in unfounded disingenous bandwagon jumpers looking to make a name for themselves at the expense of actual victims whose voice should not be tainted by charlatans and/or posers.  A movement cannot simple be a means to an end.  Its legitimacy is founded upon the ability of its founders and/or advocates to retain objectivity despite the need and importance of securing their message, protest or cause.  

[Frederic Vial]

Professor Miyake referenced the increase in androgynous males in Japan that has been occuring for years.  I asked her opinion regarding what the motivations, causes for this might be and followed-up by asking her what Japan's current birthrate showed.  She menitioned it was less than 2%.  She approached me during break to futher discuss the topic.  I mentioned to her that I didn't feel this was a phenomenon exclusive to Japan.  In Italy, there has been a negative birthrate for many years.  Since gender roles is one of, if not the main, topics surrounding this summit/seminar, it would be of value to examine the psychological effects and shifts regarding gender role identifications/classifications have had on men.  Professor Miyake expressed that WWII had much to do with the confidence of the male in Japan citing the sense of shame endured amongst males in Japan for generations.  I found this point fascinating and one that I had not thought of.  I expressed that studies have shown a lowering of testoterone among males in various countries and wondered if this, coupled with lowering birthrates, might also be a contributing factor to more and more males identifying with androgyny.  I'm not suggesting this is the main reason for declining birthrates in certain geographical areas.  Obviously, women entering the work force in larger numbers, getting married later (if at all) are contributing factos.  However, data has also shown the relativity of the male, or lack thereof, is effecting the biological and, by extension, reproductive capabilities of our species.  The idea or notion of uplifting the positivities of being a woman, of which I wholeheartedly support, ought not be derived from the demasculation of the male, something that's been occuring for years, certainly in the US.  Most commercials, for example, depict men as oblivious, idiotic, clueless and irrelative.  Finding a balance is essential.  As teachers, guarding against this trend, along with all forms of indoctrination, is one of our most important tasks.  The "collectivism" taking place in the name of diversity, equality has a double-edged sword - the negation and eradication of the "individual" and reduction his/her freedom of expression and the eventual creative spirit - is not something to be ignored.  History has shown that throwing the baby out with the bath water has never worked, but has simply created newer longer-lasting problems (i.e. WWI --> Treaty of Versailles --> WWII).  This is why moving the needle cautiously is always of paramount importance when invoking and/or advocating for any type of change, unless it associates with crimes against humanity (obviously).  

[Frederic Vial]

Truly enjoyed this comic strip.  Its witty with multiple "in-between the lines" humor that allows for multiple readings.  I re-read it a few times and found numerous literary functions (i.e. alliteration) and other comedic hyperbolic innuendos.  The content is also suprisingly very applicable to our contemporary times demonstrating that along certain subject lines very little has changed.  This allows for the reading to be extremely relatable in its form and function.

[Frederic Vial]

The Associated Press article published in the Townsville Daily Bulletin on May 13, 1950 discusses a new law passed by the Central People's Government Council of Peiping that essentially forbade the traditional "feudal" marriage system which had supported/accepted for thousands of years "polygamy, the sale of women, and their life long subjugation to men" throughout China.  The new marriage laws are specific.  For example, a divorce between a pregnant couple cannot occur until 1 year after the child is born.  China's Marriage Law of January 1, 1981 breaks it down in 18 Articles.  Although many changes on paper suggest an improvement in certain civil liberties, especially for women, the article is vague on the Chinese Communist government's motives.  Chinese youth have clearly been promised "freedom from parental dictation" and, although certain individual rights specific to women have been increased, I doubt it was its principle intention and/or motivation.  By driving a wedge between the familly (i.e. Chinese women and their relationships to their husbands and in-laws), the state was able to lure them toward the "party line" and indoctrinating practices designed to imprison them in other ways.  This is evidenced by historical factors that suggest eventual divisions of the family unit in favor of the state, often coupled with extreme forms of poverty and starvation.

[Frederic Vial]

As I mentioned during class discussion/reflection with Mr. Dube, I wish Mr. Yan had the time/opportunity to speak of his own personal experiences as a child with respect to his family as it specifically related to socialism/communist and the affects of the Cultural Revolution he endured.  It's clear by his presentation that the patriarchal model that evolved for two-thousand years in China shifts at the start of the 20th century towards a greater focus on the individual - one that is cleary accelerated in 1949 by Mao's Cultural Revolution by offering women a role in the work force and, by extension, the party.  I would've welcomed hearing more from Mr. Yan regarding this shift in paradigm during the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath.  It's clear to me the sense of collectivism the Communist model offers or claims by suggesting the individual matters is a contradiction that has somehow eluded those who celebrate this ideology.  And so, part of what Mr. Yan speaks of is, in reality, a false or fake sense of individualism that Communism promised to hold in high regard by suggesting its ideaology is/was "the way" out of one's miserable circumstance when in reality it simply offered a lateral shift that, most often, was far worse than the current state.  The rebellious sense and/or thirst for individualism Mr. Yan speaks of, I believe, is profoundly influenced by a "hang-over" and/or disillusionment with what Socialism/Communism promised.  The sense of hope Communism claimed to offer, ultimately, did not materialize.  Coupled with technology (i.e. the internet), access to quick information and a growing sense of materialism, this "hang-over" I feel has, perhaps, had more to do with these shifts in China than the questioning of traditional family values of the past.  

[Frederic Vial]

Hello everyone,

I'm a 7th grade history teacher with the LA Unified School District.  I'm looking forward to participating in the seminar and getting to know everyone.  Cheers!

Frederic Vial

[Author]

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