Children autonomy

As I was walking down to street from my apartment to school, I notice two little girls walking down street heading back home. They had to be no more than 6 or 7. It is possible to question the age of people here in JP, but what made it more apparent of their age was their yellow hat - a detail more kindergarten children where as a part of their uniform. You may be asking yourself so what? My amazement is that there were no parents at all. This is a natural occurrence here in Japan. It is very common to five, six and seven year olds walk home by themselves.

I have seen them in heavy traffic areas, fleeting around people's legs, crossing the street by themselves and letting themselves into their home. It has become apparent to me that the idea of "child molester" doesn't really run rampant here. Back in the States, anyone would be curious if not worried that a child of that age would be by themselves in the street. Honestly, it is the equivalent of have a six year old doing their own thing in the middle of Downtown Crossing in Boston or Times Square in New York (its abit of stretch with the latter but you get my point).

I have come two conclusions: Parents here have extreme faith in their children and in everyone else. I may be generalizing (which cant be avoided) but I feel its pretty accurate. They don't believe that anyone will do any harm to a child that is returning home from school. They also believe that their children will listen to them and will not venture out anywhere but to go home.

Could the US ever be this? Could YOU be like this? I can only speak for myself when I say Hell to the Nah. I guess the JP doesn't have Chris Hansen showing the creep next door having wet dreams about you baby. But I guess that's just me....


Tina
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Thoughts on being a gaijin here.

Thoughts on being a gaijin here.
To be black in America is one thing. We al the history here. However
it's a completely different experience being black in japan. There is
no history. Nothing but they had seen on tv. The good as the bad. Now
I've made the point to be quite blunt fir this blog. I'm going to come
very real so lif you can't handle it then I suggest that you stop
reading now.

What I have come to realize is that people here love the idea of the
rap nigga. They live their hip hop here. And I have to admit some of
it is very good. But what I found disheartening is the loss of history
as to how hiphop really started. What the actuall history is. All they
know that it's cool have Afros (mind you they RUIN their hair tying to
get the texture). It's hot to have the baggy jeans. The gangsta color
bandanas. It is so lost on them the actual history. And in a way I
blame the hiphop niggas that are out there now who themselves have
lost what it means to rap. To be discuss the struggles that people
are facing. It ain't nothing but ho this and umma fuck that one and
suck my dick. The Japanese won't go that far but they are picking the
video ho. I saw a video the other day of pharrell featured with a
Japanese rap group. Now behind them was nothing but Asian ass. It
wasn't bare ass but it was just ass shaking.

We as black people need to seriously realize that those in the public
eye project an image to the rest of the world. And that image is being
projected on everyone else. When I walk around the city, I get looks
of amazement. I usually just laugh it off because I find it funny and
I still do. But after my contemplations, I wonder what they are in
amazement of. Is it because I am black woman waking around the city
like I have lived here all my life? Or are they projecting the video
go on me?

Sent from my iPhone

First Official Entry

Ok so after being in JP for about a week now, I am able to make a few legitimate assessments.

1. People are absolutely tiny. I mean , an average 5'6" is towering over people, especially the old people (the ojii-sans and the obaan-sans).

2. The women look absolutely fantastic! The fashions come out at you the moment you step into Tokyo. People-watching is a must in some areas. When I have a chance to do so, I will parading around like a famous photographer and take pictures of the fashionistas.

3. Japanese men are quite attractive. Walking around with my sunglasses on, I really get a chance to look at the men and they all have different approaches to the way they want to look. There is the "worker" with spiky hair. The rocker with goatee. The hip-hopper with the chains. I mean really interesting to look. It would be nice to snag one for myself, but seeing how there is a language barrier and the fact that they are absolutely intimidated by me, I don’t see that happening.

4. Ever wanted to know why Japanese are so fit and skinny?? They f***in love to walk!!! OMG, I am going to burn holes in my shoes. I have walked so much that I have PULLED MUSCLES IN MY FOOT! So I have made the distinction- there is an "American walk" and a "Japanese walk." Someone here would say that to walk from A to B would be 7 minutes. Back in the U.S., it really is a 20- minutes walk. So I think by the time that I come back to the States, my legs are going to be f***in beast!

5. Living space is small. There is nothing else to be said about that.

6. Thought that there aren't any black people in Tokyo? Guess again - just go the (of course) the red light district (called Roppongi) where you find all the Africans trying to get you into their club. Want a message with a nice finish? You can get it right next to the club that the African is trying to push you too. Oh yea, if you are a black female walking around that area, be ready to for all the calls from the Africans calling you "eh, don’t I know you? Aren't you my sister? Let me talk to you!"

I will make some more assessments later. I am supposed to be paying attention right now (in class!)

Ja ne!

xoxo

Kristina