Introductions: First Blog, First Step

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading my first post. If you wish to learn more about what I'm doing please visit the "About" page. I'll be updating and editing as I go. Thank You. - Alice

Today, I began my first class on Modern Japanese Literature and Film from Okinawa. The professor, Davinder Bhowmik is presenting the class with several great works of Okinawan literature. I am stoked to be taking this class which is new to the University and taught in very few places around the world. The most exciting part was realizing that I am getting to learn about a place that I feel passionate about and connected to. Walking back from class I felt this feeling of excitement in getting the opportunity to learn about part of my history. I left with dozens of questions.

Before going to Okinawa I'm learning about its many histories. I believe that it is essential to learn about a place from the people who live there when travelling and I'm hoping to do just that. The practice of learning is never ending. If you are not a native from the place you are traveling to I believe it is essential to begin to find yourself in relation to others. One thing that Evergreen taught me about privilege, power and difference is that as outsiders or agents we must listen, listen and keep listening. Be kind. Be brave. Be smart. Be humble. I hope to achieve this when I go.

Shortly after Rachel Corrie passed away, graffiti and posters emerged throughout Rafah. One of which specifically read; "Rachel was an American citizen with Palestinian blood." Like Rachel Corrie, I hope to find my path in a place different from the one where I was raised. I wonder, how did Rachel do it? How did she become a martyr by/for the Palestinians while also being an icon for justice and peace? I wonder, can I do the same? Can I change the world like Rachel did?

Questions I leave with today:

1) What can I do with my privilege that will be successful in communicating across cultures to gain more knowledge about military bases in Okinawa?

2) Who do I want to interview? Who can I interview?

3) How has the history of this struggle and the history of U.S./Japanese relations reflect today's ongoing protests in the Hennoko area?

4) How will I feel about my heritage coming back to Okinawa after 10 years?

5) How will I be able to narrow all that I will learn into something clean and precise for academia?

6) In what ways can I voice the opinions of Okinawans in a just way?

Okinawan novels to read thus far:

1) Above the East China Sea by Sarah Bird

2) Living Spirit: Literature and Resurgence in Okinawa (Manoa) by Frank Stewart (Editor), Katsunori Yamazato (Editor) and Higa Yasuo (Photographer)

3) Odori by Darcy Tamayose

4) Okinawa: Two Postwar Novellas (Japan Research Monograph 10) by Oshiro Tatsushiro and Higashi Mineo

5) Molasky: Southern Exposure Paper by Michael Molasky (Editor), Steve Rabson (Editor)

#okinawa #japan #seattle #travel #summer #rachelcorrie #japaneseliterature #research