I think this quote is really sad, as no one should have to feel ashamed of their culture or heritage due to prejudices and discrimination. However, I feel like I can empathize with Yumi's feelings. Based on experiences of other Korean characters, it's safe to say that Yumi was certainly treated poorly due to her heritage. I feel like this is an example of negative reinforcement, where a consequence (discrimination) is associated with an aspect or behavior (being Korean). People tend to avoid the behavior in order to avoid the consequence. I feel like this can be seen in Noa as well, as he was often teased in school and completely distances himself from Korean culture as a result. Additionally, I think Yumi's difficult relationship with her abusive mother may also contribute toward this disdain for her heritage.
The confusing part for me is Yumi's seeming acceptance of both Japan and America. After all, Japan is where she faced this prejudice and it seems like the Japanese are often the perpetrators. In the US, racism was/is rampant and discrimination against Asian Americans is still a huge problem today. While I understand's Yumi's hesitance to embrace Korea and Korean culture, I find her glorification of Japan and America a little puzziling.
I'd be curious to learn if news about the Japanese internment camps (and general rises in Asian American discrimination during WWII) in the U.S. was internationally broadcast, and if so how that news was received by both the Japanese and Koreans. I wonder how Yumi's perception of the U.S. would have changed had she been aware of this.
ReplyDeleteI agree, why glorify the penetrators? I think it is like how the quote compares Japan to the step-mother: always seeking her approval but it being impossible
ReplyDeleteYou make really great points, and I also wonder about her glorification of the US. I think like many people it's all about the American Dream and the hope that you can achieve great success despite barriers set against non-whites.
ReplyDeleteHer glorification of America definitely confused me too, and while I understand some of the thought behind it, it's also not a very informed perspective
ReplyDeleteI think that in general some people tend to glorify their oppressors, not because they genuinely believe that their oppressors are good, but because they have been bombarded with the idea that the oppressor is good and they are bad because they're different.
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