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Summary Of Race Language And War In Two Culture

734 Words3 Pages

During World War II, the United States of America and the Empire of Japan fought against each other. In 'Race, Language, and War in Two Cultures' written by John W. Dower in the book Japan in War and Peace, Dower address the racial aspect of the two sides in the war.

Firstly, in the article, Dower addresses American racism against the Japanese during WWII. This anti-Japanese sentiment stems from racism. In many American propaganda, the words 'Yellow Peril' continued to be used. This apocalyptic image of '"hordes" of Asia outnumbered the population of the West' horrified the American public greatly. The Japanese were portrayed in many degrading ways, comparing them to vermin like 'rats' and mice' , by showing how disgusted the Americans …show more content…

One of the main strengths is that Dower provides many different types of examples to back up his points, from government propaganda slogans, political cartoons and wartime songs to first-person quotations. However, these are somewhat limited, as they were ways that the government had produced for propaganda purposes. We want to know what the people actually thought and whether they were really influenced by the propaganda. It would be better if Dower included quotes from a wide range of different people, including normal citizens in the home country and soldiers on the battlefront, and not just government officials or people with important positions, as they may have a political …show more content…

He states that even though American and Japanese racism seems different on the surface, it is however, quite the same, in the aspect that they all discriminate and dehumanise people who were unlike themselves.

Again, it would be better if Dower included opinions from the people rather than stating facts that are then supported with government propaganda. We want to know if the people really think that way towards their enemies as a whole, or whether it was just the point the government tried to make. In regarding to the topic of racism towards their enemies in the two countries, it would be more representative if the points Dower made were supported with evidence from people of the country and not the government.

Dower also addresses the fact that racism is still present between America and Japan in the present day. However, he fails to provide more information on how and to what extent would it affect the relationships between the two

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