She shaved her head to make herself unattractive. She hid — once in a tree.
She huddled together and prayed with the other captive "comfort
women" — a euphemism for the up to 200,000 women who historians say were
forced to have sex with millions of Japanese soldiers during the war. She
punched and kicked and screamed, even though it invariably meant she was beaten
worse.
"Never did any Japanese rape me without a fight. I fought each one of
them," she said Thursday at a House Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee hearing
where three former comfort women pleaded with U.S. lawmakers to adopt a
resolution urging Japan to formally apologize.
The memories of being raped and beaten day and night, even by the doctor
who examined her for venereal disease, "have tortured my mind all my life," said
O'Herne, a former Dutch colonist born in Java who now lives in Australia. "I
have forgiven the Japanese for what they did to me, but I can never
forget."
I have an uncle whose identical twin brother was a Japaneese POW during World War II. He didn't look like his identical twin when he got out.
America has apologized and made restitution for illegally imprisoning Japanese Americans. If Japan has never formally apologized for their atrocities, it is long past time that they do so.
9 comments:
I think Japan has recognized that it made grave errors and its people would very much like to move forward and put these things in the past. The people in power and the upcoming generations did not participate in these atrocities and I know they are ashamed of what their grandfathers or great grandfathers did.
Japan has worked very hard to become a “good member in the international community.” Their people are caring, generous citizens who have done many things to be a respected member of the world. Let us not forget that they suffered some harsh punishment as part of their behavior; including being the only nation on Earth to have ever been hit with a nuclear attack. They have and will continue to suffer (for some time) for their misdeeds.
While I’m not saying people shouldn’t apologize or that governments should be immune, I see little value in the movement today to apologize for everything that happened in the past. Japan will wear this stain of dishonor for many lifetimes and only through time will it fade away.
Robert,
Thank you. I think you make a very important correction to my post.
I certainly don't hold any Japanese people personally responible for what was done in the past so "apologize" is perhaps not the best word to use.
But on the other hand, it is important for all of us to acknowledge and learn from the errors of our forefathers--whether that be America's appalling treatment of Indians and blacks, or the atrocities Japan committed in WWII (we could list similar sins for every country on earth)--
so that the past will not be repeated.
If Japan has done that, then you're right--we need to move on.
Good posts. I agree with Robert that apologizing for everything that has happened in the past is at some point counterproductive and disingenuous.
I also am glad that you posted this article. Although we Americans cerebrally know that all sorts of bad things have happened in the world, it seems to me like most of the focus and attention is on the things we do wrong or have done wrong. To not put those actions in some historical and global context will lead to an imbalance in our understanding of ourselves and the nations we interact with.
Why don't you do a little research before you post something instead of just pose loaded questions? It sounds like you don't know how to use the Internet and have never been in a library.
Thank you, anonymous! I know my post was a success when it ticks someone off--especially when they can't think of an intelligent response and resort solely to a personal attack.
If your goal is pointless provocation rather than substantive illumination, you have succeeded brilliantly, sir.
Anonymous -
"Pointless provocation rather than substantive illumination" appears to be your calling card. If you're the anonymous who pops up from time-to-time (incidentally still too cowardly to put in even a fake name), I have yet to see you contribute in a substantive way to any of the conversations. Generally you just post to hurl a few insults and drive off.
If you seriously want to participate, how about at least making up a fake name and going with it? If you look at leftist posters, you'll notice that John does a very good job of arguing out his point. He'd be worth emulating. At least by consistently using one name we could string your “comments” together.
Of course, maybe that isn't your goal. Perhaps your goal is to just do "drive-by's" and to forget about contributing. Either way, your posts are becoming tiresome because up until now, they haven’t been anything more than harassment.
I agree with Robert's response to Anonymous. My comment to this particular "Anonymous" (oviously not the very articulate Comrade Anonymous) is don't waste time and space to comment here, if your concept of "...a little research before you post something" is to make snide, off the cuff,laughable at best, contributions to an otherwise respectfully discussed Blog.
Anonymous,
Apparently you can't read very well, if you look at Dennis' profile...his profession is librarian (actually librarian director).
Pennagirl
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