Stereotypes about African-Americans in Japan
I have read the blog of an African-American woman who are staying in Japan as a Fulbright student. Sista in Sendai is her blog. Her writings are very interesting. In her posts, "Stereotypes and Speaking Out" and "Stereotypes and Speaking Out II" she talks about the image of African-American held by Japanese people, which made me rethink our prejudice against African-Americans prevalent on Japanese TV and in ordinary people's consciousness.
I presume one of the shocking things to African-Americans who visit Japan would be that Japanese attitudes to African-Americans are clearly different from those to Caucasian-Americans. I remember that when I was a high school student I saw my friends around me imitate a monkey and laugh a Japanese athlete with African-American ancestry. Of course this is 30 years ago, and now there are lots of Japanese young guys who genuinely respect African-American hip hop stars, hence, this might be a once-upon-a-time story. But I suspect that there still remains a heavy consciousness of discrimination among ordinary Japanese. And I really hate this kind of discriminatory mind among Japanese people.
The administrator of Sista in Sendai shows us some stereotypes about African-Americans held by Japanese. Reading her posts I remember my own stereotype about African-Americans. When I visited Wesleyan University, Connecticutt, I was very surprised to see a young African-American male college student who was very poor at playing basketball. At that time, I realized for the first time that I falsely believed that every African-American boy plays basketball very well just as professional basketball players do.
In Sista in Sendai she talks about Bob Sapp and Bobby Ologun. Her comment is interesting. I think many Japanese might have been doing similar things in the US or other countries as professinal wrestlers and movie actors&actresses. But of course I understand the seriousness of this kind of issue concerning race and ethnicity. (Do you know the issue of Chibikuro Sanbo in Japan?)
Photo: My office, Osaka Prefecture University
-- M.Morioka www.lifestudies.org
Comments
hy masahiro, stereo types I think are always dangerous, what startes in fun ends in seriuos troubles. but I think indirectly you said sth. else too, That afro americans are still not well integerated in the US society, that´s maybe a reason why we still have a wrong image of them. I was once for three weeks in USA, and met a black guy, with whom I became friend, I think that helped me a lot to get rid of the all blacks are gangsters or poor image. but you are right in our modern times we do not need prejudices, hope your well, have you contacted the blog writer, she may be delighted, ok, have fun, arash
Posted by: arash | March 23, 2006 03:46 PM
when I was in Japan, I found a notable difference in attitude toward me as many Japanese expected me to be tall, blond and blue eyed. As I was short, dark haired and Japanese speaking, people were convinced I was from some south american country...so there's layers within stereotyping...at the end of the day, misunderstanding and prejudice stems from ignorance. The higher up the food chain this ignorance appears in a society, the longer it will take to make some positive change I suppose.
Posted by: urban monk | March 26, 2006 05:37 AM
Thanks urban monk. There might be layers among stereotyped peoples. But is it really "layers"? This is an interesting question, isn't it? I suppse this might consist of a complicated mesh of layers. It's hard to say in a word.
Posted by: morioka | March 26, 2006 06:53 PM
Indeed, I am delighted to find that someone actually takes the time to read my written thoughts.
As for stereotypes, living in Japan at times I feel as if it's a constant battle to combat such stereotypes and bad images. Sadly, the problem extends around the world. I actually consider Japan to be an extremely mild country compared to others.
(Sigh)... Again, thanks for stopping by!
--Takara
Posted by: SistainTokyo | May 2, 2006 01:17 AM
Hi, takara. Thanks for visiting here. Your blog posts are really fascinating. It might be important to know when, where, and how Japanese people acquire their images of African Americans. I hope you will keep writing your thoughts on you blog!
Posted by: morioka | May 2, 2006 11:27 AM
Im writing to ask about how are African Americans recieved in Japan? I know that being friendly is one thing, but what would happen if a relationship where to surpass that? Would it then be considered a dishonor? I wonder about these things being African American myself.
Posted by: OtakuRed | April 25, 2007 01:46 AM
Hi, OtakuRed. Hmmm, I am not really sure about that because I don't have any African American friends around me. However, it would be true that Japanese people usually are not accustomed to communicating with African Americans. It would be hard for them to imagine "ordinary" African Americans other than musicians, athletes, dancers, and movie stars.
Posted by: morioka | April 25, 2007 08:16 PM
Thank you for adressing that. I'm aware that a majority of the views of African Americans are generalized by their protrayals on American television. I just wish that better protrayals were presented. If a American American person were to visit Asia would that person be widely recieved?
Posted by: OtakuRed | May 2, 2007 11:09 AM
i have faced alott of racism in my life so far , while it is true that people may look to me as a trouble maker who plays basket ball really i feel i am obligated to show them with my actions that they are wrong i love the world becasue it is filled with so many customs and different people i love it enought to know that stereotypes will always be here and no matter what we do and say as african americans people will always think those things about us , it's like that for everyone whats matter's most is how you react to those things in your day by day life !
Posted by: oliver | August 15, 2007 02:25 AM
Blacks are hated in Japan. I am Black I have been to Japan. It is a very safe place, they won't kill you (which is why after all this, I still want to live there). However, you will not be able to find a spuse, friends, and everyone will hate you. All races are welcomed with open arms (and legs) in Japan except for Blacks. FACT.
Posted by: ViolentAJ | September 28, 2007 06:59 PM
I was listing to a video clip on youtube regarding an African-American association in Japan. I thought Japan was open with opportunity. I am a black woman and lived in Korea. They are a little bit more friendly toward Blacks. Especially if you can speak their language.
Posted by: Lovely A. | November 17, 2007 02:44 AM
Hey all. I am reading this blog and interestingly enough, I'm currently in Japan. Okinawa to be exact. As an African American woman learning Japanese and about the Japanese culture, I can tell you right now that unfortunately, Blacks are seen as an oddity. I walk around and every person in every car is staring at me. I went to a fast food restaurant just outside of Kadena AFB and a woman sitting at the table behind me refused to leave until I'd left. To be honest, the reactions that I recieve here are pretty darn close to the ones I recieve in the States. It's just that in Japan, they have no problem letting you know what they think. Despite that, I still would love to live here.
Posted by: Wildfire Sky | January 4, 2008 10:30 AM