Analysis of Conflicting Claims
“Anti-Japanese” Statue of “Comfort Woman” in Glendale
The statement that the statue of the “comfort woman” in Glendale, California, is anti-Japanese is partly true. This monument serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by women in Japan during World War II. It is a symbol of memory that confirms that society should honor the memory of people who were forced into sexual slavery. The monument serves as a reminder of past illegal actions, helping us avoid them in the future.
“There Was No Forced Abduction”
A dissimilar statement claims that there was no forced abduction or sexual slavery, which could lead to deterioration in well-being. Thus, it remains unclear whether women in the Japanese army were paid workers, as some sources claim, or whether they were victims of the system and were forced to satisfy the sexual needs of soldiers. The theft of women and their further distribution to the positions of the Japanese army remains a fact that is disputed by some people.
Information Learned from the Film Shusenjo
From the movie, one can find out that Japanese children in Glendale have been bullied. The film reveals the specifics of how the monument affected society in America by making it uncomfortable for the Japanese in Glendale (Dezaki, 2019). This may be due to the marginalization of the Japanese diaspora and the stigmatization of women.
The statue, intended to protect their memory, actually has the opposite effect on the younger generation, who do not fully understand the importance of treating all people with respect. Thus, it is necessary to conduct explanatory conversations among children about why it is essential to honor the memory of people who fell into sexual slavery. Racism on this basis must be eradicated by creating a more inclusive and safe environment.
Personal Opinion
The status of “comfort woman” is something that creates certain situations of promiscuity, as some people do not take into account the factors of sexual violence. In the United States, for example, cases of racial discrimination may occur due to monuments to “comfort women” established in certain cities (Schumacher, 2021). Thus, people should focus on understanding and developing compassion for others to create an inclusive and comfortable society.
References
At long last, the false theory of “forced abduction of comfort women” is collapsing. | Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact. (n.d.). Web.
Dezaki, M. (2019). Shusenjo: Comfort women and Japan’s war on history. No Man Productions LLC.
Schrank, A. (2013). Statue brings friction over wwii comfort women to california. NPR. Web.
Schumacher, D. (2021). Asia’s global memory wars and solidarity across borders: diaspora activism on the “comfort women” issue in the United States. The Asia-Pacific Journal, 19(5), 1-19. Web.