On the 75th anniversary of the A-bomb, a Japanese-American writer speaks to one of the last living survivors—and traces connections from Malcolm X to the fight to end nuclear war.
Part of the problem is that far too many Americans don't know our own history. When I was in school, I learned very little about the discrimination and prejudiced policies and behavior the US inflicted on women and people of color across history. I learned about the internment of Japanese Americans after I got out of school. Similarly, I can still remember my outrage when, as an adult, I realized just how terribly we'd treated the indigenous people. I knew none of it before.
The same is true of the atomic bombs we dropped. I was taught that we dropped them to end the war but no one mentioned what happened to the people who were there. That's a huge disservice to understanding history and a missed opportunity in developing compassion. However, I was fortunate enough to be in a gifted program in which we did learn more. I still recall the passion with which my 6th grade classmates and I berated a college professor over his defense of the dropping of the bombs. He told our teacher he'd never been challenged like that before. Yay for us but how deeply tragic overall.
Thank you for writing this article, Ms. Hayasaki. I learned a lot and appreciate the work of activists determined to abolish nuclear weapons. More people need to hear their stories.
The Nobel Peace Prize and Erika Hayasaki's account of the effects of the atomic bomb send meaningful messages to all of us. I want to include my friend, Kiyoko Neumiller, in this urgent message. As I wrote in The Seattle Times, Kiyoko was near the epicenter, yet survived the bombing of Hiroshima to become a voice for peace.
If I may add to the excellent resources named here, another book that really opened a window into Hiroshima and Nagasaki for me was The Crazy Iris, edited by Kenzaburo Oe
The human nature has good and evil traits built into it and when one trait overpowers the other the results(either good or bad)manifest so if we wish to see positive ( in terms of beneficial) effects than ,everyone of us have to start at an individual level and work progressively towards bringing all (within our influence )towards a common purpose i.e every one of us has to light a candle in our homes to dispel the darkness that engulfs us
I find it interesting that George Floyd is the first thought when it comes to wrongly killed black men. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery (I had to google his name because it’s never mentioned) is in my opinion a stronger example of systemic racism. A young man who’s done nothing wrong murdered by a bunch of good ol’ boys patted on the back by the district attorney. He seems forgotten.
The bombs should have never been dropped on Japan. I believe it was done to beat the Russians there and show American power. Japan wasn’t just randomly picked for this. The were fighting on the same side as the Nazis and I believe their only concern was advancing their own national interests.
I also see a picture painted that white people are responsible for racism. The fact that survivors were not accepted by other Japanese people is a quick illustration of how discrimination can happen anywhere. Look up the history between Japanese and Chinese people. Look up how people escape North Korea and come to South Korea are shunned. It’s a human problem or maybe it’s a problem of unbalanced power.
I’m critical but it’s still a good article more should read. The bombs changed Japan and made it a more peaceful nation. I hope the rest of us don’t need a similar shock to change.
Part of the problem is that far too many Americans don't know our own history. When I was in school, I learned very little about the discrimination and prejudiced policies and behavior the US inflicted on women and people of color across history. I learned about the internment of Japanese Americans after I got out of school. Similarly, I can still remember my outrage when, as an adult, I realized just how terribly we'd treated the indigenous people. I knew none of it before.
The same is true of the atomic bombs we dropped. I was taught that we dropped them to end the war but no one mentioned what happened to the people who were there. That's a huge disservice to understanding history and a missed opportunity in developing compassion. However, I was fortunate enough to be in a gifted program in which we did learn more. I still recall the passion with which my 6th grade classmates and I berated a college professor over his defense of the dropping of the bombs. He told our teacher he'd never been challenged like that before. Yay for us but how deeply tragic overall.
Thank you for writing this article, Ms. Hayasaki. I learned a lot and appreciate the work of activists determined to abolish nuclear weapons. More people need to hear their stories.
The Nobel Peace Prize and Erika Hayasaki's account of the effects of the atomic bomb send meaningful messages to all of us. I want to include my friend, Kiyoko Neumiller, in this urgent message. As I wrote in The Seattle Times, Kiyoko was near the epicenter, yet survived the bombing of Hiroshima to become a voice for peace.
If I may add to the excellent resources named here, another book that really opened a window into Hiroshima and Nagasaki for me was The Crazy Iris, edited by Kenzaburo Oe
The human nature has good and evil traits built into it and when one trait overpowers the other the results(either good or bad)manifest so if we wish to see positive ( in terms of beneficial) effects than ,everyone of us have to start at an individual level and work progressively towards bringing all (within our influence )towards a common purpose i.e every one of us has to light a candle in our homes to dispel the darkness that engulfs us
I find it interesting that George Floyd is the first thought when it comes to wrongly killed black men. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery (I had to google his name because it’s never mentioned) is in my opinion a stronger example of systemic racism. A young man who’s done nothing wrong murdered by a bunch of good ol’ boys patted on the back by the district attorney. He seems forgotten.
The bombs should have never been dropped on Japan. I believe it was done to beat the Russians there and show American power. Japan wasn’t just randomly picked for this. The were fighting on the same side as the Nazis and I believe their only concern was advancing their own national interests.
I also see a picture painted that white people are responsible for racism. The fact that survivors were not accepted by other Japanese people is a quick illustration of how discrimination can happen anywhere. Look up the history between Japanese and Chinese people. Look up how people escape North Korea and come to South Korea are shunned. It’s a human problem or maybe it’s a problem of unbalanced power.
I’m critical but it’s still a good article more should read. The bombs changed Japan and made it a more peaceful nation. I hope the rest of us don’t need a similar shock to change.