The Freezer Door

I am a fan of Japanese animation, the top rated 50 or so feature length offerings. I particularly like the uniqueness of the themes and their development. In Japan animation is enjoyed by all ages and often has a more mature focus. Here in America animation tends to big studio affairs geared to a pre-adolescent mass market.

Animation is not just an American phenomenon. It is created around the world. Two award winners from countries you might not associate with animation come to mind. The Israeli “Waltz with Bashir” and the Iranian “Persepolis”.

I noticed a subtle current running through much of the Japanese animation. Typically here in America we think in terms of the “now”. We tend not to be clear on the past or really focus on the future. We lack the “stereotypical” Asian mindset.  It seems Asians are patient and can execute strategies requiring generations. There also seems to be a collective memory passed from generation to generation.

I have noticed something based on their popular animation. They have not forgot World War II or the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nor have they forgiven.

Bill Cosby told a joke in one his monologues years ago.  In the monologue he described himself as young kid. His Mother had dressed him up in his snow suit and told him he had better not get wet outside playing.

He went out and was playing with another kid. They had a snowball fight. The other kid had secretly reached down in the gunk and mud and created a special snowball. He put it aside. After the snowball fight they were standing around laughing.  The other kid put his arm around him and grabbed his special snowball. He shoved it down Cosby’s pants.  Even his underwear was wet with the gunk.

He tried to explain to his Mother it was not his fault. But his Mother gave him the beating of life and sent him to bed. While he was in bed he made up his mind he was going to get even.

The next time he was out he made his own special snowball. He put it in the back of the freezer where it would not be seen. He next set out to be the best buddy of the other kid. He even did not wipe the bottle when they shared a drink. Finally it was July and so hot the cement could fry an egg. He told his buddy to just sit there and wait.  He said he had something special for him. He went in and opened the freezer.

This is the mindset I perceive of the Japanese about World War II. They have become our best buddy and learned everything about us. One day the freezer door is going to open.

The Wrong side of History.

Today America is still able to write the narrative of happenings in the world. But will America write the longer term historical perspective?

America was labeled “the Great Satan” because of its imperialism. The Iranian, Khomeini, coined the moniker back in 1979.  What if it is the appellation that historically sticks?

America has made a habit of being on the wrong moral side. We advocate elections around the world. But when the elected leaders are not to our liking they are assassinated, such as Salvador Allende of Chile [reportedly by the American CIA]. Lately they are politically rejected, like Hamas in the Palestinian territory and Lebanon.

America has propped up gross violators of human rights around the world. At the same time it has blasted the human rights records of others. America has condoned injustice in the world, at the same time claiming to be the most just. Rich Americans supported the IRA for decades and were never condemned. America excused for years the apartheid government of South Africa. Just like today America turns a blind eye to human rights violations of Israel. I am not picking on Israel. It stands out as having a very powerful political action organization that can stifle criticism and shape opinion in America. Others are by degrees less effective.

One day the covers may be drawn back on America with a critical eye. It will not be drawn back by itself. The chronicling of American history in the world of the last hundred years will likely be done by those that have been victimized. 

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [(Romans 7:19]

The story of the Great Satan.