Reaction to Fisher

At first, I thought seeing by myself is most certain thing as we even use the proverb, “seeing is believing”. However, this writing makes me notice how subjective our perception is without our recognition.

 “Perception is selective” is the most impressive part for me. We select just the characteristics of object with our own criteria based on our values and ignore the others because we try to protect our images and ourselves. This process can be linked to the way we face intercultural communication shown by Barna. I think selective perception of people and interpretation intruded on other culture’s people are similar system in terms of the point that both are arbitrary to protect ourselves.

 We cannot perceive everything in our complex world and trying to perceive objects impartially is very demanding. Thus, our selective perception is eventually very effective and profitable for us even though it sometimes leads to be wrong. I think it is important to remember that our perception might be wrong and sometimes consider other interpretations.

Reaction to Barna

I think the cause of the stumbling blocks except language difference and high anxiety are all thinking one’s own culture is natural. Thus, I agree the author’s idea that being aware of them is the first step to avoid them. We cannot change the difference between cultures, so we have to just try to understand other culture. Thus, I think having interest in other cultures is the supreme solution.

 

I think about the description that Americans seem to hold assumption of similarity strongly and Japanese think they are very different from the rest of the world (p.2, l.10). At fast, I have a question about this description. It is sure Japan has made unique culture because of being an island divided from other countries but Japanese people are often said that they try to follow opinion of other people and have little personality. In addition, Japanese people have come to think much of global point of view. However, this journal is written in 1971, so I think, in that time, the way of thinking of Japan might be different from now.

Summer Reading Reaction

 As a summer reading, I read No-no boy which is about Japanese American boy who was arrested in prison because of refusal to go to American army during the World War Ⅱ.  This book is written by Japanese American, John Okada. I chose this novel because I am Japanese, so I think Ican feel close to this book and the author. In addition, I think the theme of this novel seems interesting, clear and understandable. I also like this book's constraction such as wide margin, big size of letters, clear division of chapters and adequate length.

 This story starts with the main character, Ichiro's returning back from prison. He refused going to the American army because of his strict mother's expectation. After retuening, he was descriminated against by other Japanese American who went to the army and despired his life.

 However, he met his friendes who understand him and American who do not care about his past. From these, he was becoming positive step by step and tried to face his difficult reality.

 Through his best friend's death because of injure in the war and his mother's suicide, he thought about the war, discrimination and domination of race, family, happiness and life etc. At last, he lost his friend in quarrel among Japanese American and then, he shared his pain with Japanese American who descriminated against him.

 This novel has many significant themes.

 I think one of the main themes of this novel is the system of racial descrimination. In this novel, American descriminated against Japanese. As aresult, young Japanese Americans came to hate older Japanese American because the old is more Japanese than the young. Young Japanese Americans mostly went to American army and thought behaving as American was good. Thus, Ichiro was attacked by young Japanese American because he did not go to the army.

 From this novel, I think the problem of racial discrimination is very complex and difficult to be reduced. It is because descrimination is the problem about people feelings. For instance, Ichiro and other Japanese Americans felt difficulties to find jobs in America because they are Japanese. There is almost no actual difference conpetence to work between Japanese American and American. However,  prejudice to another races makes (phychological) barrier.

 In addition to it, this novel shows that people who was descriminated also come to descriminate against those who are in the same position and have the same element more because people want to be in the dorminant position. In belief, discrimination makes other discrimination not only other race but also the same race.

My Summer & What I want to learn from ARW Autumn

 During summer, I spent my time lazily. I went trips,did some shoppings,see movies,meet friends I had not seen for a long time,etc.
From August, I practiced Wadaiko and also went practice trip in Yamanashi. In the practice trip, we did not only practice but also went to the lake, did fire works and recreation games.
Next summer, I want to go abroad (if possible)!

 Through ARW in Autumn, I want to get good expressing ability.
I want to be a high level speaker or writer who can made listeners or readers satisfied my opinion.
For this, I want to do enough preparation for discussion, have my own opinion clearly and think more actively.