Takaki Chapter 10

Takaki Chapter 10 starts out talking about the migration of Japanese and other Asian cultures to Hawaii and eventually on to the mainland of the United States. Between the harsh taxes and the economic hardships they were facing in their own countries made them want to look for a new life elsewhere. At first it was mainly men that were moving and starting a new life in North America but eventually women started coming too and joining the men in their new life. Japanese women were allowed entry into the United States because they were considered family members. Japanese were the first to start what they call a “picture bride”. These were when the families of those still in Japan would arrange a marriage between a son who was already in the U.S. and a daughter in Japan and they would exchange pictures which would be the only time they see each other before they become husband and wife.

When reading this I felt that even though the Japanese were considered cheap labor and worked under conditions most American’s wouldn’t dream of working under is it really fair to bring them here to work when there have always been so many American’s out of work? It seems to me that if we were bringing them here to work they should paid and treated just as American’s would who would be working those same jobs and also be paid the same. I don’t find it fair that American’s take it upon themselves to decide to pay them less and have them live under such conditions as living in dormitories when they are doing the work that they can’t find anyone else to do. It seems to me they should be paid more or at least get a better life. They had to of felt like they were pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don’t. They only had two choices for their lives stay in Japan and face harsh taxes and economic hardships or come to America for a life of hard and brutal work.

I found this piece very interesting and it definitely shows yet another part of history that is rarely heard of or talked about. However why does it always seem that its Caucasian Americans that are being talked about as racist or taking part in racist activities?