Bryan, congrat, you already have your thesis statement for your paper from this thread.

 

Hehehe...that was never my intention...

This topic does pose a sensitive issue...and it's interesting to get this kind of attention..

Maybe more people will speak up...

Bryan

 

There are some who are seeking compensation, but I have not seen that issue raised in this current discussion, so let us just leave that. I personally think that any kind of "compensation" would be symbolic, nothing can repay the sufferings that the war caused. But if there is any compensation, that is an indication that they acknowledge the events happened.
Yes, I agree. Eventually the rape of Nanking will just be another historical event -- similar to the conquests of Eastern Europe by the Mongolian Horde or the Crusades. I am sure a lot of terrible things were done during those wars too. But the difference is that we all acknowledge those things happened, the Japanese government/people still does not admit to what happened in Nanking.
Yes, I want the Japanese to acknowledge it. No, I don't want to fan anti-Japanese feelings. And again, I just don't sense any of that happening here in this discussion, so your fear of "anti-Japanese" feelings may be unfounded. The people who purpetrated/masterminded the rape of Nanking are long dead, so there is no one to punish at this time. And it is useless to hold the current Japanese accountable for what happened. And I don't hear anyone asking for that either. One way to help the wound to heal is to acknowledge it instead of denying it.
Just because not all events are reported equally does not mean we should stop talking about the ones we know about. Sure, the genocide in Bosnia and Africa are very sad events too, and we should not forget them either. The issue about Nanking is not just because thousands of people/Chinese died, it is the cruelty and the inhumanity of one human being towards another human being that should be remembered.

I wish others will chime in on this very serious discussion of a very serious subject.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WhiteS2k
[B]Just because not all events are reported equally does not mean we should stop talking about the ones we know about.

 

This is really odd in that I should be the one arguing from the other perspective!

WhiteS2K

I wish everyone else who is a member on this board was like you - and I'm not being facetious. I have been quite sickened by the comments of some of the members in relation to current events.

I can find no disagreement to any of your views.

I am not speaking with regard to this board alone. The simple facts are that if you start raising such issues, believe me, you do start to fan hatred. I've seen in happen personally on this matter. We don't talk about it at all.

The point I am making is the that Japanese will never acknowledge this and it will never form part of their curriculum. I think it should - but I can't see it happening and I don't believe anyone or country is in a position to make this happen.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bernie
[B]This is really odd in that I should be the one arguing from the other perspective!

WhiteS2K

I wish everyone else who is a member on this board was like you - and I'm not being facetious. I have been quite sickened by the comments of some of the members in relation to current events.

I can find no disagreement to any of your views.

I am not speaking with regard to this board alone. The simple facts are that if you start raising such issues, believe me, you do start to fan hatred. I've seen in happen personally on this matter. We don't talk about it at all.

 

 

I read this book also, in an airport. As a Korean American I shared the pain as the Japanese were equally cruel to our people. I definitely feel its important to remember events like this. To simply forget seems like an insult to those who were slaughtered.

Its true that the current Japanese people cannot be blamed for the past, but I agree with the fact that they should acknowledge the horrors carried out under their untouchable emperors. Perhaps it should also be of note that the Chinese were quite imperial in their own right and occupied Korea as well. The Chinese were not exactly 'gentle' either.

 

You got me. I can't respond to that!

I think it only goes to emphasise the last point whites2k made in his last post

 

Actually, if any of you have some valuable personal information and would like to share...it would help me tremendously for my research paper....

Cheers,

Bryan