Some have written today about a disgraced former counsel, named Kevin Maher, who is alleged to have made some beastly comments about Asians in Okinawa and Japan. Maher was then also removed from shuffling forward incoming stories for the Japan desk for the State Department, apparently.
That this story runs today merits a response, I think. Just this: There is massive regard carried by the masses of Americans toward and with the Japanese people… and this regard is returned to us a millionfold over these many years, and in many ways, by the Japanese.
There was a time and place when this was not so. Now Japan is likely our closest ally after Great Britain. But more so, for us who are ‘the little people’ just citizens of two remarkable nations, there is genuine warmth of relationship ifor those ‘across the Pacific’. We dont rely on polls nor news stories, to know what we know. We know warmth from personal heart to heart relationship between Japanese and United Statesians…. and for decades now.
So, today, regardless of whatever most recent talking heads in print or otherwise put forth Maher’s remarks [in the news article I read, his remarks were reportedly made by unnamed students] which, if as alleged, are racist and unaccceptible– mainly about various Asian groups being lazy and manipulative (didnt know this was a racial trait; thought this belonged to all on Earth)
regardless … the US and its citizens are and will be helping Japan as much as possible in the aftermath of the massive disaster yesterday.
At a time like this, one can choose where to put one’s focus. For many of us, the focus is here: we are waking in the morning after a 8.9 earthquake and hugely destructive tsunami, causing huge loss of life of mothers, fathers, children, elders in Japan; the destruction and pollution of so much fertile land; the loss of most basic comforts and needs such as clothing and food; sudden acrid and dangerous pollutants from fires and steam from nuclear plants.
Thus, most of us wouldnt give a tuppence what some former appointee or student, or whomever unamed person is alleged to have said to whomever about Asians from any part of the world.
Actions today speak far louder than words.
The Japanese people, as the Kiwis, and others across the world who suffer, have our hearts. Always will. There is a kind of diplomacy that media ever ignores, the kind that truly matters. Person to person with good will in all directions. It is legion between many in Japan and the US.
One only need look no further than where one lives wherever there is an Asian American alliance, a Pacific-American alliance, a Buddhist temple, Christian church, Jewish synagogue, Muslim mosque, BaHai church, Hundu temple, home based relief organization.
There you will find the armies of people whose armory is to speak with love, who reach across all pettiness, across all squalling of media, all past scar tissue, to give true comfort and real aid. Who drown out with the thunder of mercy, any and all squealing of one small mind, or ten small minds, or endless parades of small minds. The quality of mercy, despite all else, in humans across the globe, remains ever strong.
More of the world is focused on active mercy than ‘news’ stories that use the asme old chisme, gossip about ‘look who now said/did a bad thing.’
To each their own as each wishes to ‘follow the news’ … and also, for those who have the eyes to see, the ears to hear… there are visible stories of decency occuring right within one’s reach. Today. Each day. Depends so much on where one chooses to focus.
Then, why don’t those who maintain mercy endeavors with various groups write more about what they do? This is just my response to taking time away from the actual work of aiding others, in order to spend hours detailing that work. (Even though many of us are so grateful when others can and will detail the work to the public.) But, in my small part of the world, and with a certainty that comes not from me, but from Source without source, when given the choice… I quietly think to myself often: “Sorry. I’d rather wash one more leper.”
I know many of you know what this means.
Thanks.
dr.e
________
CODA
this is an image of the Bodhisatva being portrayed… the One of compassion who has 1000 arms, sometimes also in Japan called Kannon. This particular group of dancers are deaf and hear the music through their feet and bones. Who is least and who is most in the works of compassion… one can often not tell which is which, who is who.
The headline on this article, means post WWII. Pre and during WWII, as all know, is another encyclopedic work altogether, worthy to study also.
This image is by Sarve Samachar ©2011, all rights reserved