Hello, my readers. I hope all is well in your respective worlds, despite what happened in Japan on Friday morning. On that front, if any of you out there happen to be from Japan or have family there, I extend my condolences and pray for your continued safety and peace of mind.
After much deliberation among my colleagues (aka, my bf), I came to the conclusion that it would be unfair to "stir the hornets nest" concerning the American response to this disaster. I would rather pose a question and raise a few concerns.
I have noticed in recent news, there have been no instances of looting in the regions of Japan most ravaged by the earthquake/tsunami/threat of nuclear fall-out. I began to wonder why. Why a country so in need of help wouldn't simply take it. I began to contrast in my own mind our own disaster in New Orleans when Katrina struck. And then I struck logic gold.
When Katrina hit New Orleans, the people literally looted to the point of rediculum. There were people filling up trash cans of goods, and not just necessities. They were breaking into jewelery and clothing stores and taking things that they had literally no need of, as the coast guard and police just stood by and watched. 10 pairs of jeans and shirts, 3 pairs of designer heels. There was no concept of right and wrong, yours and mine. In the end, it became bloody as the police where forced to shoot people who wouldn't stop taking and taking. It was terrible!
No lets discuss Japan. In the greatest Earthquake in recorded history, worst tsunami and the most devastating damage, there have been no instances of looting that I have seen or heard about. Why? In a place where just to stay alive long enough to make it through the night, is there no looting, no taking out of desperation, or even possibly greed?
Some analysts are citing culture. Actually, mostly all of them are. This, again, got me thinking. Is it ingrained in them since birth the importance of social goodness? Or are they just inherently good?
Why is it that America, in its worst crisis, turns to crime and thievery, when this country, whom we take little notice of, shines brighter in its darkest hour?
It just made me think. Most of Japan is family centered. They may be hight-tech, but that doesn't mean they are isolationists. There is nothing higher to them then family. In America, we spend so much time trying to get away from our families, and more time with our computers and Facebook and cell phones and Wii's and gaming consoles. We do not treasure family. So, is this the reason for the difference?
Frankly, I don't know. But I wonder, what do you, my readers think? Is America flushing its goodness and morality down the figurative technology toilet, or is it just a difference in culture?
So, leave a comment in the section below and let me know what you guys think.
<3
The Wondering Mind
It really is something taught to them in ways it is not here. Japan is an ancient country. Honor has been a big deal there for many, many years longer than we've existed. And the one is always secondary to the good of the whole.
ReplyDeleteIt is this last point that I think holds the most explanation for Japan's actions during this crisis. In the US, we choose to prize individuality and individual effort. I believe this leaves us open to drifting apart more so than Japan, where the honor and good of the whole (family, town, nation) is still paramount.