As a mostly American woman, I struggle to identify with the quarter Japanese side of myself. Other than my grandmother and my great aunt I've only briefly been around my other Japanese family. I've only visited them once, and they come here infrequently.
However, I am very proud to claim that 25% of myself that is Japanese. When I was younger it was because it set me apart from my classmates when it was so important to be a unique individual. Now, I do it because I feel like it's an important aspect of me and my life. My mother and her mother and I don't want to lose that part of our family.
Yahoo posted some unpublished photos from the aftermath of the bomb being dropped on Hiroshima today.
Go see it HERE.
Studying WWII in school, it was always the evil Japanese and the heroic Americans. Having a grandmother and great aunt that lived through it there, in Japan, and hearing their tales from the event kind of gives you different perspective. Not only that, but you learn to keep your mouth shut in school fairly early. No one really wants to hear that the US bombed 2 nonmilitary cities and killed and mutilated Japanese civilians and children with no military around.
I was kind of confused when we'd go over that period of time in history class. I still am.
I just know my daughter is going to only be 12.5% Japanese and chances are real good with my grandmother being 83 this year and her sister having passed away a few years ago that she'll not have any thing tying her to that part of herself. I'm going to do what I can, but I'm concerned I won't be able to do it as well as I'd like to.
I've always found Japanese women to be interesting. They are so strong, yet delicate. I'm certain that you will do right by your daughter, my friend.
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