| OCR Text |
Show 17 currently in practice here. In keeping with that idea, we should see to it that the Japanese language is taught simply as a foreign language. We Issei are intimately familiar with examples of good educational methodologies of the Japanese, but we may not have considered that the American system of education has its own methods which work well. And since it is the American system that our children must deal with, and this is what they have come to understand, we should proceed to use these methods. In this way, the schools, in cooperation with the families, will be better able to attain the objects of education. Firmly entrenched ideas, however, are difficult to be rid of, and the idea that somehow Japanese customs and habits seem superior is a problem. Quite unconsciously, we often say with an air of superiority, "In Japan .... ". And very often when we see American-born girls who are spirited and active, we are quick to categorize them as tomboys or flappers. We would prefer them to be like boxed-in flowers, hidden and compliant, and very Japanese. These "boxed-in" girls, we often find, however, are more prone to err than the so-called tomboy types. That is because they lack the spirit of independence and self-respect. Those who do not know the world tend to be blind followers, lacking self-control and determination. We cannot disregard the fact that the active, spirited girl would be apt to possess more of a sense of self-respect, more courage and determination. When we Japanese say things like "In Japan ... " or "When we were young ... " we are most often comparing Japanese ways to American ways. To remember good things about Japanese is commendable, but things Japanese are not automatically, nor necessarily, good . Progress takes place relentlessly. What was considered "good" in the old days may be considered totally unacceptable today. (8/9/28) |
