Re:The empty seat on a crowded Japanese train
by ng12 on Thursday October 24, 2019 @01:32AM
(#21341905)
> "If you don't like persecution of gays, stay out of Nigeria." "If you think women should be able to drive, stay out of Saudi Arabia." (recently changed)
I mean... yes? I cannot recommend living in either country as a member of one of those groups. Nor can I really understand the egocentric view that if you voluntarily choose to move to a new country that country's culture should change as to be comfortable for you.
Re:The empty seat on a crowded Japanese train
by theroo on Thursday October 24, 2019 @01:41AM
(#21341944)
We should let people that brave it, comment on it without being told they shouldn’t be there by people who aren’t there.
Commenting on it is critical. Commentary can spark a change in ideas and attitudes for the better.
HN crowd always go to the pragmatic.
But what about big ideas? Big change? Can we support people that are pursuing that without zooming immediately into technicalities?
Probably not. But I hope.
Re:The empty seat on a crowded Japanese train
by ng12 on Thursday October 24, 2019 @01:44AM
(#21341955)
It is definitely acceptable to comment on his experience -- and I think it was a fascinating read -- but I'm mostly reacting to the idea that accepting it as a facet of Japanese society is normalizing racism.
The social mechanics of Japan are certainly quirky by western standards, but that doesn't mean that some things aren't universally unacceptable. You might as well say, "If you don't like persecution of gays, stay out of Nigeria." "If you think women should be able to drive, stay out of Saudi Arabia." (recently changed)
As a traveler, and someone that's been to almost 50 countries, I tend to keep my head down and not make waves when I'm out of my the cultures where I feel at home. But that doesn't mean that I can't write about injustices. That's what you're literally saying the author is not entitled to do. After a decade in said country.