Here are some videos to check out pertaining to 'blackness' in Japan and how stereotypes of the Black Other persist today. To be honest, if I could get me a piece of that pie (selling commercialized, stereotypical notions of blackness), you damn skippy I would be in Japan right now! Perhaps I'll try my luck in East Asia one of these days and sell myself as a cultural ambassador or interpreter for the Japanese appetite for stereotypes of blackness? Check out this video about Japanese women's interest in hip-hop culture and that style's own troubled notions of 'blackness.' I believe this kind of stuff, this fascination with blackness on their own terms, is part of the appeal of Jero, the African-American (also of Japanese descent himself) singer of enka whose persona and dress is clearly influenced by hip-hop and 'blackness' in the US yet also a product of Japanese traditional music and culture. Blackness in this case is similar to the case of Dante, the black commercial actor. His blackness functions as a prop, a visual sign of a different type of Other. This type of Other, in order to be popular, must follow stereotypes of hip-hop and the black male other, although agency of these two guys must be seen as a reality, too. In this interview Jero claims "hip-hop" clothing is his style and utterly him, so who knows, maybe it wasn't just a marketing prop.
The Japanese are a fascinating lot, they've achieved the trick of living in a white dominated world by adapting to it, and adopting what that world had to offer without succumbing to the temptation of making invidious comparisons between themselves and that world, while staying essentially Japanese. Too bad Haiti and other free black nations weren't able to pull off the same trick. So, you want to be a Japanese pet? It's instructive that you chose to use these words to describe your future plans or hopes: "Perhaps I'll try my luck in East Asia one of these days and sell myself as a cultural ambassador or interpreter for the Japanese appetite for stereotypes of blackness?" How much do you plan to 'sell' yourself for? As your dutch uncle, I wouldn't advise such course. The attraction the Japanese feel for that black actor stems from the fact that they believe themselves so unique that they are amazed that one so different could pull off such deft imitation. The Japanese love of automata goes along way in explaining their infatuation. Take a look at what they achieved over a hundred years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5zYK9FxORI
ReplyDeleteYes, I think their success at the trick of living in a white-dominated world has always fascinated us people of African descent in the Americas. DuBois and so many other African-Americans thought highly of Japan as a non-white imperial power and significant player in world affairs, even though the Japanese made it quite clear they cared little for us and saw us as inferior. If I remember correctly, in the 1910s and 1920s, some African-Americans even celebrated Japanese ambassadors in the US and fell for the trap of thinking Japanese success in a white-dominated world was meaningful for them. Indeed, if only Japan was allied seriously with independent black states in the late 19th century and 20th century, then perhaps I would have taken 'Black Orientalism' more seriouisly. Why wasn't Japan involved with Haiti and Ethiopia in the late 19th century, for instance? I guess we know why, but it's interesting to think about the potential for a different course of history anyway.
DeleteI was joking about being a Japanese 'pet' (Unless I make a fortune 'renting' myself), thought you would enjoy it. And yes, I don't know a word of Japanese so I would probably not be as much of a popular or profitable pet for Japanese audiences.
Thanks for sharing, what a fascinating video.
Robert, robert ,robert, how long are you going to keep disappointing me this way. "Why wasn't Japan involved with Haiti and Ethiopia in the late 19th century, for instance? I guess we know why, but it's interesting to think about the potential for a different course of history anyway." I can't guess why, please enlighten me. I know that the Japanese did create the Black Dragon society in the 1920's or 1930's, and that organization sponsored W.E.B. Dubois's Asian tour. I also know that the Japanese were seriously thinking of marrying one of their princesses to an Ethiopian prince in the 1930's. They may have had a hand in the formation of several 'Muslim' groups such as the NOI etc. as usual. your dutch uncle must instruct you, so here goes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia%E2%80%93Japan_relations
Deletehttp://www.africanidea.org/Heruy.html
http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jim-Ransdell/3626
Sounds like China in Africa today doesn't it? I wonder if they will be more steadfast friends than the Japanese. A successful alliance could have been forged if the Ethiopians had not been so weak. As I pointed out to you before, The strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must, anything else is sentimentality and lies.
I enjoy your typical condescension, "Uncle." I was not aware of the Black Dragon society, but based on readings I had in a mutual perceptions of racial minorities class, I am quite certain the Japanese were mostly indifferent or apathetic to blacks and internalized the Western racial 'order.' I didn't know about the Japanese-Ethiopian connection, sounds like that brief exchange in the 14th or 15th century between the royal houses of Ethiopia and Aragon on a double marriage alliance.
DeleteI'll look up the readings I had and send them your way, if you like, "Dutch Uncle."
You're welcome 'nephew', I'll gladly take a look at your material. We can learn from each other. I'm sorry to see that you continue to reject the main lesson I've tried to teach you. Again, the strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must, any other claim is bullshit. When you've taken that dictum to heart, the scales will fall from your eyes and you will see that internalized racial orders obey a higher authority, namely power. I'm not condescending to you, if I thought you were an idiot, I wouldn't be here on a daily basis. I do, however, think that you are a callow fellow who credits the 'authorities' a bit too much. Anybody who writes is a dictator, so when you read, actively try to undermine what the author is saying. Upon ending that exercise, if his/her arguments still make sense then you can accept them.
DeleteWhere did I reject that? Power is power and concedes nothing without a demand, to paraphrase Frederick. Hahahaa, glad to know I'm not considered an idiot! I'll look up the articles I had to read for that class and send you the titles (or email them to you if you like) later tonight or tomorrow.
DeleteEver read Fatton? I'm probably gonna read their take on the 'origins of Haitian despotism' soon.
Where's the stuff you were going to email me? I've heard of Robert Fatton but I have not read him.
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