Hello All,
I am following back up on the question that someone asked.....Are there any Black and Japanese mix breed people? No, not really, and if there is, it is a very small community that is hidden. So, small that you don't even notice them. There is a small African community in Japan. I would say most of their wives are Japanese, but you rarely see the children or the men with their wives in the streets. I have been in Japan for seven months, and I have only seen two people who are Japanese and African descendant.
The African men dominate the night life in Japan. It's easy to find an African in Tokyo, just tough to find an African American in Tokyo. You can walk the streets of the populist nightlife district of Roppongi, and there are black guys handing out fliers for clubs that promise, so many free drinks, for so much of an entrance fee. They wear baggy hip hop cloths, and are paid by the number of customers they attract, they tend to target Gaijin men and tourists. Roppongi has the highest concentration of foreigners, which can be found any night after 7pm. Any number of Nigerian men work the doors of bars and work the street. Stating,"you, what kind of ladies are you looking for tonight?" You will find many women of different nationality selling themselves slightly on the street wearing something provocative proffering "massages" with a very evocative hand gesture.
Roppongi and Shibuya are places for foreigners to "escape" Japan. I think last Friday night I was an example of that. I went out with my roommate Tomoko and her Japanese girlfriend. We hung out with some western friends in Rappongi at a bar, which was a nice imitation of a western pub. I must say once I stepped into the bar, and went down stairs, I did feel for a moment that I escaped from Japan.I was surrounded by mostly men and women, who were from Sweden, Britain, and America. I must say that it felt good to see some familiar western faces, although I had never met these people in my life.
Well, the only time you will really run across a large setting of African Americans is when you are at "First Fridays". It is intended to be a forum for black professionals, cultural exchange, networking, and social entertainment in Japan. I think that it is a great forum for African Americans, despite some African Americans in Japan contributing to the negative stereotypes that are portrayed in the U.S of people of color. Historically African Americans have been propagated and perpetuated negatively day after day. Consequently, some African Americans are accepting these myths and passing them on to one generation and then the next. I thought that it was very ironic that a friend of mine had just mention recently that he saw a PBS Documentary, and inquired about what Japanese's opinions were of Americans. He asked if I ever felt threatened or unwelcome, because I am an American in a foreign country?
Last night I decided that I needed to make the most of my experience in Japan, and it was not going to be through partying, dating, shopping, or just teaching English. I decided that I would like to start working on a documentary while I am in Japan, and possibly getting it published, or applying it to my thesis. So, if you may have any questions about Japan, please feel free to send them, and I will include them in my documentary.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Saynora Japan
Hello All,
I had a great weekend last week. I went to a Japanese African festival, which was very interesting. There were so many things displayed there that represented Africa, but the odd thing was that Japanese people were a major part of the African Festival on a cultural level. You would see one or two African people representing Africa. There were a few Japanese women who were dressed in African attire, displaying the beautiful Kente cloth. I saw a handful of African people there who were socializing in their circle, but not really participating in the festival. You got a little feel of the African spirit, although the entertainment was predominately by Japanese people playing the drums, dancing, and singing African songs.
I was baffled for a moment.I was under the impression that it would be an African festival that was performed by African people. Oh well.....I guess the great thing about it was that they were embracing the culture. I saw a few biracial African and Japanese children running around who were so adorable.... but I was wondering where was their place in Japan? I could only imagine how hard it would be to assimilate into the Japanese culture being half African. Japanese people saw African and Japanese children as not really biracial, but black. I guess it was very much similar to America. Where you are forced to choose, instead of embracing both identities. One Japanese lady told me that she viewed biracial children as African, rather then Japanese, because their features were more African, then Japanese. While I was enjoying the festival, I was stopped by a biracial young lady who happen to be Japanese and African. I enjoyed conversing with her for a moment about her identity and place in Japan. She asked me if I was from Japan and I wanted to roll over.... on the floor and laugh!
Now, I have heard of many things, but being from Japan was the first! I was like no..... I am not from Japan. I am from America..... She thought that I was African and Japanese. I told her no Japanese in this blood. I clearly told her that I was African American and both of my parents were black. I have no problem with telling people that I am African American. I am the first American on my mother side to be recognized as an American and I embrace all of it. Although, I do proudly embrace my Belizean culture as well! For some black Americans here they tend to acknowledge being something else, but I was very proud to let people in Japan know that I was African American. Not to discount my Belizean culture, but I have no problem with acknowledging my African descendant or American identity as well.
I have definitely had an interesting experience in Japan. I will be on the plane in no time back to the states and I am beyond excited.........I definitely have more of a appreciation for life! You may ask what I am going to miss about Japan and I will tell you in my book. Now to be continued!:)
I had a great weekend last week. I went to a Japanese African festival, which was very interesting. There were so many things displayed there that represented Africa, but the odd thing was that Japanese people were a major part of the African Festival on a cultural level. You would see one or two African people representing Africa. There were a few Japanese women who were dressed in African attire, displaying the beautiful Kente cloth. I saw a handful of African people there who were socializing in their circle, but not really participating in the festival. You got a little feel of the African spirit, although the entertainment was predominately by Japanese people playing the drums, dancing, and singing African songs.
I was baffled for a moment.I was under the impression that it would be an African festival that was performed by African people. Oh well.....I guess the great thing about it was that they were embracing the culture. I saw a few biracial African and Japanese children running around who were so adorable.... but I was wondering where was their place in Japan? I could only imagine how hard it would be to assimilate into the Japanese culture being half African. Japanese people saw African and Japanese children as not really biracial, but black. I guess it was very much similar to America. Where you are forced to choose, instead of embracing both identities. One Japanese lady told me that she viewed biracial children as African, rather then Japanese, because their features were more African, then Japanese. While I was enjoying the festival, I was stopped by a biracial young lady who happen to be Japanese and African. I enjoyed conversing with her for a moment about her identity and place in Japan. She asked me if I was from Japan and I wanted to roll over.... on the floor and laugh!
Now, I have heard of many things, but being from Japan was the first! I was like no..... I am not from Japan. I am from America..... She thought that I was African and Japanese. I told her no Japanese in this blood. I clearly told her that I was African American and both of my parents were black. I have no problem with telling people that I am African American. I am the first American on my mother side to be recognized as an American and I embrace all of it. Although, I do proudly embrace my Belizean culture as well! For some black Americans here they tend to acknowledge being something else, but I was very proud to let people in Japan know that I was African American. Not to discount my Belizean culture, but I have no problem with acknowledging my African descendant or American identity as well.
I have definitely had an interesting experience in Japan. I will be on the plane in no time back to the states and I am beyond excited.........I definitely have more of a appreciation for life! You may ask what I am going to miss about Japan and I will tell you in my book. Now to be continued!:)
Book of Tokyo in process
Hello ladies and gentlemen,
I am in the process of writing a book about my experience of Japan. Now for many young ladies who are interested in traveling, working, and living in a foreign country please look out for " Seeing Japan Through the Eyes of A Gaijin Woman".
If you have lived in Japan and would like to add to " Seeing Japan Through the Eyes of A Gaijin Woman". Email me at tokyocali@yahoo.com
I am in the process of writing a book about my experience of Japan. Now for many young ladies who are interested in traveling, working, and living in a foreign country please look out for " Seeing Japan Through the Eyes of A Gaijin Woman".
If you have lived in Japan and would like to add to " Seeing Japan Through the Eyes of A Gaijin Woman". Email me at tokyocali@yahoo.com
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