Blog Post 7

One of the pieces of literature that affected me most was “Recipe” by Mirikitani. Through counter-storytelling, Mirikitani captures the pain behind seemingly straightforward assimilation. Although many Asian immigrants tried to Americanize themselves, they found that they were continually rejected and discriminated against because of the way they looked. Since they were not white, Asian Americans were subjected to differential racialization; complex people were treated differently because of the social construction of race. “Recipe” shows how racial discrimination affects one’s identity. Feeling unaccepted, the narrator is unable to see the beauty she is born with. She buys into the lie of white supremacy and so she sees herself as less worthy. Because she does not have white America’s desired “round eyes,” she tries to imitate the dominant culture’s standard. The last instruction of the recipe is, “Do not cry” (Mirikitani 85). Mirikitani illuminates the hurt that many Asian Americans felt they must hide. Asian Americans’ inability to pass for white prevented many racist people from seeing their whole identity. The sad irony of the poem is that the people discriminating against many of the Asian immigrants were the ones who need new eyes.

One of the historical events that affected me the most was learning about the Nisei soldiers in World War Two. I think they were extremely brave heroes who waged war against both discrimination and the Nazis. What really saddened me was that I was taught about the war in high school, but my teacher never mentioned the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team made up of Nisei soldiers who “believed participation in the defense of their country was the best way to express their loyalty and to fulfill their obligation as citizens” (Takaki 400). While the country they fought for unjustly imprisoned their families and friends, these brave men sacrificed and became “probably the most decorated unit in United States military history” (Takaki 403). Worse still, is that some people saw their skin color more than their courage and character, and when Captain Inouye returned home and tried to get a haircut in San Francisco, he was told: “We don’t serve Japs here” (Takaki 403). The horrifying reality of differential racialization—displayed in the lack of respect shown, not only to all Japanese Americans during WW2, but especially to the 442^nd team—highlights the need for compassion. Understanding that everyone is racist is important because once we have that awareness, we can intentionally see past other peoples’ differences; we can move onto healing, learning, teaching, and sharing. The Lord calls us to love Him and ALL His children. Only when the Lord softens our hearts and works in us, can we love others as He has commanded. This class has taught me that I need the Lord’s wisdom and help to treat all people as image-bearers and defend those who bear His image in a way that appears different to me. I thank the Lord for how He has created ALL His complex children to contribute to His glory-story.