Not Lost In Translation Nor In Prospective

In my initial arrival to Japan, I concluded that man had been consistent to his God, culture, and evolution. This conclusion was gained by my observation of daily pilgrimages to shrines for prayer; the glaring neon city lights as cars change lanes and men ride bikes with umbrellas to protect them from the rain; the fields and seas give way to life...gohan, lavender, crab, and eel.

After teaching 3 drama classes to Japanese students of Tanabu Senior High School, I encountered no difference in response when investing positive energy and making the learning process fun. I had the opportunity to be a student in a yoga class with elders that were women. They were more than willing to talk about the double standards of men and how women were now equal. Their opinions varied in the issue of being submissive to men. Some women would not have it any other way while others waved bye-bye very animatedly to their imaginary husbands with smiles on their faces. They discussed the importance of balance in a marriage and I agreed as they teased my friend for not being married yet.

The difference in me was hearing my thoughts loud and clear without my mind battling external stimuli and subliminal messages. Not speaking the language of Japan provided me a mental time out. I found myself in translation as I walked unknown sectors being guided by more than maps with instruction. I found myself actively listening and waiting for messengers that bestowed the information for my next move. In my return to my native land, I wondered whom I would return as knowing that I was different from the person who had left.

It has been 4 days since my return, I find myself rather agitated by the persistent noise when in the city and appreciative for the quiet in the suburbs. I reflect on an American complaining about somewhere in Japan traffic was backed up because 6 men were directing traffic even though traffic light was working. I called employment, he called it B.S. Also, since my departure from the country of the rising sun, I have learned about a Black colony of Japanese called Buraku people who have been discriminated against for centuries. The bases for the discrimination were some people were regarded as impure because of their occupations such as butchers and tanners, and entertainment and crafts. Some of those who were engaged in occupations in relation to the dead were targets of discrimination. This public belief was based on the main three Japanese religions such as Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

To my disappointment man has been consistent in all things. As much as I felt celebrated by watching the induction of Black music, dance, and appearance be inducted into the Japanese culture with such discipline. All I could do is be baffled by the irony of this information about the Buraka People and what I witnessed while I was there.

Prospective...by my definition is the assigning of meaning based on an individual's experience. We as the human race have done so much good and harm to others and ourselves. Where words such as Nigga, Red Neck, Slanted Eyes, Big Lips, Kokuchin, Buraka, Black, Japanese may have the same meaning or no meaning at all depending on the prospective of the person you ask.

In my travel and as I sit here typing, I realize the goal is to... despite words, actions, attitudes, facts, or opinions...despite the physical, material or monetary... to retain the identity of our spiritual selves and our connection to God. With that knowing we can vibrate higher and beyond the pain, emotional/physical wounds, discrimination, teasing, racism, oppression, and injustices that clearly have raged war on all civilizations of man. For I was not lost in translation nor in prospective, I knew exactly who I was at all times.