Slap MessageBoards
Skateboarding => USELESS WOODEN TOY BANTER => Topic started by: yourbreakfsat on June 18, 2022, 09:36:40 PM
-
Hello nerds, it's time for another political thread but also a topic I've been thinking about for a long time.
Indy's Iron Cross logo was cancelled for its relationship to Nazis, and generally hate symbols are banned or shunned from skateboard graphics. That being said, why does the Rising Sun flag get a pass?
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0592/5663/5561/products/muskarisingson_caf4e900-157e-4d16-b6e7-efe3d02bb982_grande.png?v=1630590095)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/2936/33998914475_dbeca1230b_b.jpg)
(https://socalskateshop.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/34/Hosoi-Rising-Sun-Pop-Deck-Red-Black-1.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P38AAOSw8zZhnYWV/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/30/a9/3e30a9ec67aec79f259ec5c513c3ebbf.jpg)
(https://www.tactics.com/a/da8d/9/zero-punk-flag-80-skateboard-deck-rising-sun.webp)
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e9531ee4b009484933055c/1502247987786-1N0LGJPFZ5MJ82A53DLB/image008.jpg?format=1500w)
(https://skateparkoftampa.com/spot/productimages/colors/1_75262.jpg)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1743/8407/products/DGK_DECK_7_c6ef555f-09e9-44ee-ade6-07ed65dda2c4_1800x1800.jpg?v=1630011895)
Imperial Japan flew under the Rising Sun flag during its colonization expansion during the 1930s and WW2, and allied with this Axis powers (Nazi Germany and Italy being the other two primary members). During this time, they committed so many war crimes and crimes against humanity that even literal Nazis tried to stop them (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rabe). This includes, but not limited to, genocide, rape houses, sport killing, human experimentation, cannibalism, and biological warfare (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes). Two officers even had a contest to see who could kill more people with a sword, which Japanese media publicized as war heroism. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contest_to_kill_100_people_using_a_sword)
Why does this symbol get a pass, especially in skateboarding? I asked a few friends about this and they believe that it may be due to a lack of education of Japan's war crimes under this flag, with one of them only learning about it a couple years ago. Apparently US schools go over Nazi Germany in great detail, but barely cover Japan in the same time period. It may also be a case of Asian romanticism, and this flag being seen as "cool Japan thing."
I always found this double standard to be strange. If hate symbols should be taken out, it should be all of them instead of only a select few. I don't find the argument of "Japan still uses it, so it's okay" valid as Germany still uses the Iron Cross but this symbol has been basically removed from skateboarding.
What do you think? I do take this a bit personally due to my ethnicity, but maybe there's something I'm missing.
Also if you feel strongly about this, this isn't a call to harass and cancel brands or people that use this flag. I am only using these images as examples.
-
As far as I know, it doesn’t get a ‘pass’, at least on SLAP. It’s been criticized on here whenever it comes up.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHbKdI26RkE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHbKdI26RkE)
-
It's also a very sensitive issue in Asia, even in Japan. Many people in Japan tend to associate it with the far right wing, but it is still seen far more often than I'm comfortable with.
That being said, a lot of people here are fundamentally unaware/ignorant of the atrocities that occurred in WWII, ostensibly in their name, because the standardized education system is very whitewashed and textbooks have been chosen for political purposes (many of which paint Japan as the victim - don't get me started on the f*cked up mental gymnastics one would have to do to create books like that.) So they don't see what the fuss is about when people get upset about the Kyokujitsu Ki rising sun flag.
Granted, the current version in use by the JSDF forces is slightly different (the sun is shifted to the left, not dead center like the war flag), so an argument of semantics can occur saying that "it's not the same flag."
On a related note, I've seen people wearing actual nazi insignias/uniforms, and hanging nazi flags in stores being blissfully unaware of how utterly wrong it is. I saw a young woman wearing suspenders (braces for those who speaks the Queen's), with swastika (not the Buddhist kind), and iron cross buttons, 18 hole Docs with red and white laces. I asked her point blank why she was doing it and she said "because it's cute."
Long story short, the rising sun should be retired to the dustbin of history.
-
A) Because America did a bombs and doesn't really want people to look into it.
B) Because racism people see big Germans and their architecture and machines and are still scared but see Japanese as little nerdy salarymen who have cartoons on everything and just live to work and drink.
C) there's still a bit of grey area with the rising sun flag as people still rep it in Japan (altho it's being seen more and more negatively) and unlike nazi shit being completely banned in Germany Japan still shows it in a positive light regarding history and is still used in the navy
D) skateboarders are stupid and just think it looks cool
-
I’m tired of seeing this hate symbol
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/1200px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png)
-
Japan Never reflected well on their imperial past. Their navy still uses the rising sun flag afaik.
-
As far as I know, it doesn’t get a ‘pass’, at least on SLAP. It’s been criticized on here whenever it comes up.
this! I've always criticized it, even before I was on SLAP.
Devils advocate though: non-Japanese people don't understand the severity of it, just like Japanese people don't understand the severity of the swazi
(which doesn't make it right, but I'd be willing to bet Hosoi or Muska didn't have a single clue about its historical meaning whereas Jason Jesse certainly knew what he was doing with his edge lord steeze)
-
Everything offends me so this should too
-
I’m tired of seeing this hate symbol
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/1200px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png)
The only country to ever nuke another country.
-
Hosoi was the main proponent of the rising sun as a way to reflect Japanese heritage back in the early 80s. The Muska and DGK being take-offs of his Sims design, as was a Penny board under his name. It was pointed out to him that people in Korea were offended by the Penny design, and he hasn't used the red and white design since.
It can be argued that the red and black Hosoi deck pictured above takes cues from rising sun, but it has a cross on top, wrong colours, different shafts of light. I'd give him a pass.
-
Hosoi was the main proponent of the rising sun as a way to reflect Japanese heritage back in the early 80s. The Muska and DGK being take-offs of his Sims design, as was a Penny board under his name. It was pointed out to him that people in Korea were offended by the Penny design, and he hasn't used the red and white design since.
It can be argued that the red and black Hosoi deck pictured above takes cues from rising sun, but it has a cross on top, wrong colours, different shafts of light. I'd give him a pass.
Was still seeing rising sun hosoi boards for years after he said he wasn't doing them anymore. New stock too. Sold out now but last time this was brought up (couple months max) this was still available https://selectskateshop.com/collections/hosoi-skateboards/products/copy-of-hosoi-rising-sun-logo-t-shirt-white hosoi's a weird one tho on one hand I'd say just changing the colours isn't enough because everyone knows what it represents but then it could be argued that with hosoi it's got a seperate meaning within skateboarding. Guess same argument for Indy.
-
Hello nerds, it's time for another political thread but also a topic I've been thinking about for a long time.
Indy's Iron Cross logo was cancelled for its relationship to Nazis, and generally hate symbols are banned or shunned from skateboard graphics. That being said, why does the Rising Sun flag get a pass?
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0592/5663/5561/products/muskarisingson_caf4e900-157e-4d16-b6e7-efe3d02bb982_grande.png?v=1630590095)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/2936/33998914475_dbeca1230b_b.jpg)
(https://socalskateshop.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/34/Hosoi-Rising-Sun-Pop-Deck-Red-Black-1.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P38AAOSw8zZhnYWV/s-l1600.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/30/a9/3e30a9ec67aec79f259ec5c513c3ebbf.jpg)
(https://www.tactics.com/a/da8d/9/zero-punk-flag-80-skateboard-deck-rising-sun.webp)
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e9531ee4b009484933055c/1502247987786-1N0LGJPFZ5MJ82A53DLB/image008.jpg?format=1500w)
(https://skateparkoftampa.com/spot/productimages/colors/1_75262.jpg)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1743/8407/products/DGK_DECK_7_c6ef555f-09e9-44ee-ade6-07ed65dda2c4_1800x1800.jpg?v=1630011895)
Imperial Japan flew under the Rising Sun flag during its colonization expansion during the 1930s and WW2, and allied with this Axis powers (Nazi Germany and Italy being the other two primary members). During this time, they committed so many war crimes and crimes against humanity that even literal Nazis tried to stop them (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rabe). This includes, but not limited to, genocide, rape houses, sport killing, human experimentation, cannibalism, and biological warfare (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes). Two officers even had a contest to see who could kill more people with a sword, which Japanese media publicized as war heroism. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contest_to_kill_100_people_using_a_sword)
Why does this symbol get a pass, especially in skateboarding? I asked a few friends about this and they believe that it may be due to a lack of education of Japan's war crimes under this flag, with one of them only learning about it a couple years ago. Apparently US schools go over Nazi Germany in great detail, but barely cover Japan in the same time period. It may also be a case of Asian romanticism, and this flag being seen as "cool Japan thing."
I always found this double standard to be strange. If hate symbols should be taken out, it should be all of them instead of only a select few. I don't find the argument of "Japan still uses it, so it's okay" valid as Germany still uses the Iron Cross but this symbol has been basically removed from skateboarding.
What do you think? I do take this a bit personally due to my ethnicity, but maybe there's something I'm missing.
Also if you feel strongly about this, this isn't a call to harass and cancel brands or people that use this flag. I am only using these images as examples.
The Japanese/Rising Sun could also have "gotten a pass" or overlooked simply because [trigger alert]...racism?
The victims in Asia were primarily, Asian, so perhaps Asians killing other Asians just didn't (don't) garner the same amount of anger/disgust, as the genocide of people who were at the time, somewhat "white-adjacent" in Europe. Non-white casualties weren't (and still continue to not be) "worth as much."
Even the murders of Russians (of which conservative estimates cite around civilians 10 million were killed), Roma, and homosexuals, etc., who were also slaughtered by the nazis, weren't really covered in my primary and secondary educations in California when discussing WWII.
I mean, up until relatively recently, the US didn't even turn an introspective eye to look at the MJ man in the mirror and own up to incarcerating their own citizens in WWII. That was barely a footnote in the unit about WWII when I was in high school. "oh yeah, by the way the Japanese Americans were put into 'relocation camps.' But enough of that. Now, for the next unit; the golden age of the fifties!"
Basically, what we are taught in school, and I suppose for a large part every standardized education system, is in essence, a PR/propaganda machine for whatever state we grow up in and and the overall social/political/economic system values that underlie that state.
Anyhow, that might be another reason (of many) why not as much focus has been placed on the rising sun flag and Japanese atrocities in WWII.
-
Expand Quote
Hosoi was the main proponent of the rising sun as a way to reflect Japanese heritage back in the early 80s. The Muska and DGK being take-offs of his Sims design, as was a Penny board under his name. It was pointed out to him that people in Korea were offended by the Penny design, and he hasn't used the red and white design since.
It can be argued that the red and black Hosoi deck pictured above takes cues from rising sun, but it has a cross on top, wrong colours, different shafts of light. I'd give him a pass.
If in doubt, blame Brad Dorfman. That usually holds true...
-
Probably climate change
-
Everything offends me so this should too
-
Expand Quote
I’m tired of seeing this hate symbol
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/1200px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png)
The only country to ever nuke another country.
Can we please stop posting the flag of terrorist war criminals? It’s just bad taste.
-
Holmes already let it go…..so it’s gone…
-
Even Hosoi mentioned (i think on nine club) that he is never gonna use it again , even he mentioned that some countries in Asia is not allowed to sell it
-
Even Hosoi mentioned (i think on nine club) that he is never gonna use it again , even he mentioned that some countries in Asia is not allowed to sell it
Yeah this was all around embarrassing. 4 dummies like oh wow had no idea crazy. Then hosoi said it and proceeded to do fuck all about it. Years later theres still plenty of new shit available with his name on a rising sun
-
I don’t think it’s widely known as a hate symbol in pop culture and probably why it’s still prevalent.
-
Yeah its just straight up ignorance
People dont know enough about Japan in general and think its just a widely accepted and universal symbol for Japan.
-
An old buddy of mine, white guy, went by NinjaSteve online and has a rising sun half sleeve tattoo. To be fair, they were different times back then.
-
Unit 731 was NOT wavy, dude.
-
(https://img.apmcdn.org/09223d916af5005c8840e54d516ab6d91a9cca8f/normal/de1844-20191205-dez-dickerson-white-guitar-points-at-the-audience.jpg)
-
Rising sun was also quite popular with bands in the 80's. Shirts, headbands etc
-
It does look pretty cool
-
When we talk about it not getting a ‘pass’ let’s clarify that that is in ‘western’ cultures.
Eastern countries that were colonized by Japan have varying negative reactions to the rising sun, the worst of them seeing it like we see swastikas here.
Within Japan, as others said, it has very right-wing connotations, and functions pretty much like the confederate flag does in the US. The same kind of people use it, with the same kind of reasoning.
Most people tend to be wary of it, but there are kind of right-wing nationalist sentiments in some areas of skateboarding and music here which are a bit uncomfortable.
One of them unfortunately being the Skull Skates store and associated crew in Japan, who tend to commiserate with bikers and kinda Uyoku punks, and have released a Japan only Skull Skates t-shirt with the rising sun on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CePt8Cbpo_S/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
I’ve been to the shop a few times, and the neighboring bowl. The Japanese shop owner has always been nice enough, but I’ve gotten weird vibes from some of the crew there.
I’ve written PD about this, but never heard anything.
-
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0058/6134/3343/products/Risingsun_blackred1.jpg?v=1607742121)
(http://www.skateparkoftampa.com/spot/productimages/colors/2844_17888.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/2583/3867487509_5fba945644_z.jpg)
(https://f.btwcdn.com/store-9693/product/8363b660-73ab-3160-3fc1-6072966af71b.jpg)
-
Probably due to general lack of education about the flag. Most Americans probably see the rising sun flag and just think Japan, and not the context surrounding the flag.
-
Not sure if just a design change or a change of meaning but Capcom removed it from E. Honda's stage in SFII.
This was where I first saw it and just assumed it was a design thing rather than a political thing.
(https://i.ibb.co/LtZ231X/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-14-11-PM.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFtq0HM/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-13-59-PM.png)
-
Not sure if just a design change or a change of meaning but capcom removed it from E. Honda's stage in SFII.
This was where I first saw it and just assumed it was a design thing rather than a political thing.
(https://i.ibb.co/LtZ231X/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-14-11-PM.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFtq0HM/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-13-59-PM.png)
With that game being popular worldwide, especially in Asia, it’s safe to say they removed it to avoid offending the rest of their Asian market
-
Expand Quote
Not sure if just a design change or a change of meaning but capcom removed it from E. Honda's stage in SFII.
This was where I first saw it and just assumed it was a design thing rather than a political thing.
(https://i.ibb.co/LtZ231X/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-14-11-PM.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFtq0HM/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-13-59-PM.png)
With that game being popular worldwide, especially in Asia, it’s safe to say they removed it to avoid offending the rest of their Asian market
This is correct there's even articles about it
-
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0592/5663/5561/products/muskarisingson_caf4e900-157e-4d16-b6e7-efe3d02bb982_grande.png?v=1630590095)
I thought this deck was a weird follow up to the red silhouette. White guy with a rising sun is lame, especially when you’re THE guy in skating. It wasn’t until I saw the hosoi doc a decade later that i realized it was for tweaker hosoi’s legal fund.
OG Top Gun has the trifecta. Rising sun on a black pilot, black pilot is called Sundown, and Sundown’s squadron is the Sundowners.
-
Probably due to general lack of education about the flag. Most Americans probably see the rising sun flag and just think Japan, and not the context surrounding the flag.
in some parts of Canada where Japanese folk were put in imprisonment camps during the war, it's not wise to wear a rising sun on your clothing.
-
It doesn’t.
I have no good expectations
-
As well as the Stars and Stripes or the Union Jack or basically every other flag. All are built on oppression, theft, and blood of the innocent.
-
In a similar vein to how the swatsika was a symbol well before Hitler made use of it and changed the way in which it is perceived, would it not also be possible to change how a symbol is perceived through popularisation and in turn disassociate the negative connotations? I'm not trying to say that people should go out waving the swatsika/rising-sun etc by any means, I just find it surreal how little time it can take for a symbol to become taboo.
In the case of the rising sun though, I can see how people would be unaware of its implications.
-
In a similar vein to how the swatsika was a symbol well before Hitler made use of it and changed the way in which it is perceived, would it not also be possible to change how a symbol is perceived through popularisation and in turn disassociate the negative connotations? I'm not trying to say that people should go out waving the swatsika/rising-sun etc by any means, I just find it surreal how little time it can take for a symbol to become taboo.
In the case of the rising sun though, I can see how people would be unaware of its implications.
In a similar vein, but also completely different, I wonder how swear words become swear words.
Like, how did tabarnak become a swear word in Quebec?
-
it's just a dope design. looks cooler than Japan's regular flag imo.
-
The short answer is because Americans aren’t taught about how bad Japan was during that period.
We’re taught that Hitler was bad, and we (not the Russians) defeated him, and then we dropped two “well deserved” nukes on Japan after beating them in the Pacific. I didn’t learn about how absolutely demonic Japanese Imperialism was until my late 20s, and that was from a random twitter thread.
I think a lot of it has to do with America not being concerned with what Japan did because it happened to non-white people primarily. If Japan had did the shit they had done to China to like Canadians we’d be taught about it just as much.
-
Because people aren’t taught about the rape of Nanking or Unit 731, or the other millions of crimes against humanity the Japan committed.
-
Is this a get in front of the line for the roller coaster ride pass?
-
I would suggest that it has something to do with the Jewish diaspora having a lot more clout and a louder voice in the USA and western world in general than those who lived under Japanese occupation.
As someone else pointed out, the horrific nature of the holocaust may be more relatable to the average American due to a similarity in appearance than say the Japanese's crimes against humanity being committed against those from Asian backgrounds who are likely considered to be more distant to many people.
Guess it's similar to the global/Western response to the war in Ukraine compared to the endless tragedies seen in Iraq, Syria, Congo, Tibet and Xinjiang, Palestine, Myanmar etc etc
-
put some 50+ cream and avoid being unprotected at the hottest hours of the day
if you follow these simple steps there are no reasons to be scared of the sun my son
-
Always thought it was just some classic japan art
-
What everyone else said
It’s all down to Lack of education
WWII is whitewashed in Japanese schools
For a country that has a cultural issue of not being able to apologize or own up to mistakes I don’t think that it will change (if I remember correctly they removed some of the shitty things they did to the ryuukyuu islands from texts 10 or so years ago)
Also what @SaySo and @GISM have said in this thread and in the past… because people aren’t taught about this, things like the Swazi and iron cross etc are fashion accessories (I haven’t seen them in a while because I live in bum fluff nowhere and avoid people… but I’ve seen a few people rocking them for no other reason than to be a fashion edge lord)
Same with the rising sun… it’s a favorite amongst bousouzoku arse knuckles… just to be edgy
-
A lot of people don't know what that flag is. They probably should, but that's a separate topic. I don't think it gets a pass from anyone who knows what it is. The more brand recognition your hate symbol has, the less it is tolerated.
-
Expand Quote
In a similar vein to how the swatsika was a symbol well before Hitler made use of it and changed the way in which it is perceived, would it not also be possible to change how a symbol is perceived through popularisation and in turn disassociate the negative connotations? I'm not trying to say that people should go out waving the swatsika/rising-sun etc by any means, I just find it surreal how little time it can take for a symbol to become taboo.
In the case of the rising sun though, I can see how people would be unaware of its implications.
In a similar vein, but also completely different, I wonder how swear words become swear words.
Like, how did tabarnak become a swear word in Quebec?
Apparently it’s because of the overwhelming power the Catholic Church wielded in Quebec. As such, the use of sacred words was considered taboo, thereby making them excellent curse words. Examples: tabarnaque = tabernacle = the place where the church keeps the communion regalia. Esti = hostie = the piece of bread that Catholics eat at communion.
And you can mix and match for bonus points. Thus, “tabarnak esti!” is 2x the blasphemies, and twice as powerful.
-
Honest truth is it's because westerners are ignorant of it's history. White people know about Nazi's and the European side of WW2, anything east of that and they have no frame of reference.
-
Honest truth is it's because westerners are ignorant of it's history. White people know about Nazi's and the European side of WW2, anything east of that and they have no frame of reference.
Right, just don’t mention that around the VA or the legion. Those old guys who pretend to have fought in the pacific theatre are really committed to the gag.
(https://y.yarn.co/c2ed75f1-0602-4e56-aa5e-6d6f1bfdb5bb_text.gif)
-
Not sure if just a design change or a change of meaning but Capcom removed it from E. Honda's stage in SFII.
This was where I first saw it and just assumed it was a design thing rather than a political thing.
(https://i.ibb.co/LtZ231X/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-14-11-PM.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFtq0HM/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-13-59-PM.png)
after SF4 Vanilla you will notice they have basically removed all mention of countries / locations now other than the odd like "Shanghai Street stage" or "London Metro" stage names. They are moving more towards fake locations like Metro City to just distance themselves as much as possible from possible stereotyping. they did just put a "canadian" guy in a few years ago though with move names like "Ontario Drop" smh...
-
I looked up the SF Canadian character. What an odd character.
It seems for fighting game designers draw on the idea of the lumberjack and an exaggerated stereotype of a guy from Alberta/Manitoba to represent Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfELgF9DX-Q
-
I was unaware of the rising sun symbol/ideology until my Korean wife explained it to me 10+ years ago. I never learned much about it in school.
For those that are curious, the Asian side of the story gets pretty dark. Read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee or talk to Northern elderly Australians.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Not sure if just a design change or a change of meaning but capcom removed it from E. Honda's stage in SFII.
This was where I first saw it and just assumed it was a design thing rather than a political thing.
(https://i.ibb.co/LtZ231X/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-14-11-PM.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFtq0HM/Screen-Shot-2022-06-19-at-2-13-59-PM.png)
With that game being popular worldwide, especially in Asia, it’s safe to say they removed it to avoid offending the rest of their Asian market
This is correct there's even articles about it
In Honda’s background the Rising Sun flag and the guy holding the sign only flash on and off when someone wins a round - every SFII player knows that!
-
Eurocentrism.
-
I was unaware of the rising sun symbol/ideology until my Korean wife explained it to me 10+ years ago. I never learned much about it in school.
For those that are curious, the Asian side of the story gets pretty dark. Read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee or talk to Northern elderly Australians.
I never heard of the bombing of Darwin until I actually went to Darwin. Unbelievably fucked.
-
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
-
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
symbol of peace, just like the swazi
*waves at Jason*
-
I was unaware of so many of these graphics because a lot of the, haven’t been used for over ten years…..
-
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
-
I was unaware of so many of these graphics because a lot of the, haven’t been used for over ten years…..
Zero and fallen literally have rising sun stuff out today, hosois still using it even tho they say they're not, that Muska graphic isn't the one from 01 they redid it very recently
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Every group of humans has been drawing swastikas since just after they figured out how to mark things but we live in current day and have to deal with our own history. There's plenty to this.
-
Go ahead and ban me for this but I’m going to say it’s because Japanese people aren’t white.
Americans view the world through an American lens, so even when looking at a country where the majority is not white, they still look at those people as minorities and therefore victims of white racism. When/if you travel outside of the US or are not an American, this becomes very apparent.
There’s this concept in America that only white males are capable of causing pain and suffering of other races. It’s difficult for many Americans to comprehend that Japan committed war crimes and racist attacks (attempting to take over and control Taiwan, South Korea and China) and that the Chinese government is currently committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.
Ironically, the Americans I’m referring to are often white.
And now for the obligatory disclaimer:
Half of my family is Taiwanese. Try not to skew my post as anti-Asian or anti-Anglo Saxon or whatever. I am highly critical of American culture though. This place is crazy.
-
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
-
all this tough talk but none of yall stepping up to revoke your citizenship >:(
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
Yeah Union Jack is basically a symbol of hate, definitely wouldn't want it on a board graphic
-
is rising sun hellride?
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
No, I’m not mixing it up, I’m using your logic.
You say what’s the big deal, the rising Sun has been around since before Japan’s imperialism, wasn’t created as a symbol to represent it.
But it WAS the symbol chosen to represent it, and still is. It retains that history and meaning.
Likewise the swastika wasn’t created by the Nazis (there is one THE swastika, by the way, it’s increasingly varied, just as rising Sun depictions are across cultures) but they used it, and now for much of the world that’s the only meaning it has. Especially as people who idolize the Nazis still use it (just as the Japanese ultra-right still uses it and other imperial symbols).
However Japan has largely reduced its Imperial tradition to the Emperor being a non-political symbol, and has a pacifist constitution.
The US is still functionally an empire, with bases all over the world, and has not made amends to the genocide of the native population of its own country, nor it’s attacks on other countries and the damage it caused, Afghanistan being only a very recent example. That’s why much of the world no longer sees the US positively, and often burns the flag.
So should the US change its flag?
I’m less concerned about the flag that the actions that lead to people hating the flag, it should stop oppressing people, killing other countries for oil, stop fucking with other countries’ democratic elections, and stop destroying our common environment for money.
When a country uses a symbol, it is a symbol not just for bullshit patriotic sentiments (as seen by its citizens),it’s a symbol of the evils (as seen by victims and outside observers).
Personally I hate the US government and economic/political system, so I’d rather see that change before the flag. Just changing the flag without addressing the problems that make the flag a symbol for those problems is just branding.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
No, I’m not mixing it up, I’m using your logic.
You say what’s the big deal, the rising Sun has been around since before Japan’s imperialism, wasn’t created as a symbol to represent it.
But it WAS the symbol chosen to represent it, and still is. It retains that history and meaning.
Likewise the swastika wasn’t created by the Nazis (there is one THE swastika, by the way, it’s increasingly varied, just as rising Sun depictions are across cultures) but they used it, and now for much of the world that’s the only meaning it has. Especially as people who idolize the Nazis still use it (just as the Japanese ultra-right still uses it and other imperial symbols).
However Japan has largely reduced its Imperial tradition to the Emperor being a non-political symbol, and has a pacifist constitution.
The US is still functionally an empire, with bases all over the world, and has not made amends to the genocide of the native population of its own country, nor it’s attacks on other countries and the damage it caused, Afghanistan being only a very recent example. That’s why much of the world no longer sees the US positively, and often burns the flag.
So should the US change its flag?
I’m less concerned about the flag that the actions that lead to people hating the flag, it should stop oppressing people, killing other countries for oil, stop fucking with other countries’ democratic elections, and stop destroying our common environment for money.
When a country uses a symbol, it is a symbol not just for bullshit patriotic sentiments (as seen by its citizens),it’s a symbol of the evils (as seen by victims and outside observers).
Personally I hate the US government and economic/political system, so I’d rather see that change before the flag. Just changing the flag without addressing the problems that make the flag a symbol for those problems is just branding.
Within that logic then yes they are the same. What makes them the same is that the swastika and rising sun are still very much in use. However with the smallest amount of effort we can assess the intent of that use. It's multifaceted. If you're in japan you will see the rising sun used on a myriad of things (flags, posters, general art, etc) but you may also witness a far right protest were they are spewing anti Korean rhetoric and also use the rising sun in their propaganda. If you're in in Japan, Korea, India, China, Cambodia, Thailand, etc and you see a swastika on you can surely understand that the intent isn't to impose hate. It's 2022 and we all have the means to assess this. That is why the rising sun gets a pass. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
No, I’m not mixing it up, I’m using your logic.
You say what’s the big deal, the rising Sun has been around since before Japan’s imperialism, wasn’t created as a symbol to represent it.
But it WAS the symbol chosen to represent it, and still is. It retains that history and meaning.
Likewise the swastika wasn’t created by the Nazis (there is one THE swastika, by the way, it’s increasingly varied, just as rising Sun depictions are across cultures) but they used it, and now for much of the world that’s the only meaning it has. Especially as people who idolize the Nazis still use it (just as the Japanese ultra-right still uses it and other imperial symbols).
However Japan has largely reduced its Imperial tradition to the Emperor being a non-political symbol, and has a pacifist constitution.
The US is still functionally an empire, with bases all over the world, and has not made amends to the genocide of the native population of its own country, nor it’s attacks on other countries and the damage it caused, Afghanistan being only a very recent example. That’s why much of the world no longer sees the US positively, and often burns the flag.
So should the US change its flag?
I’m less concerned about the flag that the actions that lead to people hating the flag, it should stop oppressing people, killing other countries for oil, stop fucking with other countries’ democratic elections, and stop destroying our common environment for money.
When a country uses a symbol, it is a symbol not just for bullshit patriotic sentiments (as seen by its citizens),it’s a symbol of the evils (as seen by victims and outside observers).
Personally I hate the US government and economic/political system, so I’d rather see that change before the flag. Just changing the flag without addressing the problems that make the flag a symbol for those problems is just branding.
Within that logic then yes they are the same. What makes them the same is that the swastika and rising sun are still very much in use. However with the smallest amount of effort we can assess the intent of that use. It's multifaceted. If you're in japan you will see the rising sun used on a myriad of things (flags, posters, general art, etc) but you may also witness a far right protest were they are spewing anti Korean rhetoric and also use the rising sun in their propaganda. If you're in in Japan, Korea, India, China, Cambodia, Thailand, etc and you see a swastika on you can surely understand that the intent isn't to impose hate. It's 2022 and we all have the means to assess this. That is why the rising sun gets a pass. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
I’m in Japan, and even here, where the country is generally less aware of its own atrocities than Germany, the Rising Sun is NOT on a myriad of things. With the exception of the Asahi daily newspaper and some yakiniku restaurant logos, its use is pretty openly connected to the far right, and anyone seen sporting a rising sun is treated in pretty much the same way someone in the US wearing a confederate flag. I see the swastika more than i see the rising sun here.
It happens, but generally only in connection with the right.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
No, I’m not mixing it up, I’m using your logic.
You say what’s the big deal, the rising Sun has been around since before Japan’s imperialism, wasn’t created as a symbol to represent it.
But it WAS the symbol chosen to represent it, and still is. It retains that history and meaning.
Likewise the swastika wasn’t created by the Nazis (there is one THE swastika, by the way, it’s increasingly varied, just as rising Sun depictions are across cultures) but they used it, and now for much of the world that’s the only meaning it has. Especially as people who idolize the Nazis still use it (just as the Japanese ultra-right still uses it and other imperial symbols).
However Japan has largely reduced its Imperial tradition to the Emperor being a non-political symbol, and has a pacifist constitution.
The US is still functionally an empire, with bases all over the world, and has not made amends to the genocide of the native population of its own country, nor it’s attacks on other countries and the damage it caused, Afghanistan being only a very recent example. That’s why much of the world no longer sees the US positively, and often burns the flag.
So should the US change its flag?
I’m less concerned about the flag that the actions that lead to people hating the flag, it should stop oppressing people, killing other countries for oil, stop fucking with other countries’ democratic elections, and stop destroying our common environment for money.
When a country uses a symbol, it is a symbol not just for bullshit patriotic sentiments (as seen by its citizens),it’s a symbol of the evils (as seen by victims and outside observers).
Personally I hate the US government and economic/political system, so I’d rather see that change before the flag. Just changing the flag without addressing the problems that make the flag a symbol for those problems is just branding.
Within that logic then yes they are the same. What makes them the same is that the swastika and rising sun are still very much in use. However with the smallest amount of effort we can assess the intent of that use. It's multifaceted. If you're in japan you will see the rising sun used on a myriad of things (flags, posters, general art, etc) but you may also witness a far right protest were they are spewing anti Korean rhetoric and also use the rising sun in their propaganda. If you're in in Japan, Korea, India, China, Cambodia, Thailand, etc and you see a swastika on you can surely understand that the intent isn't to impose hate. It's 2022 and we all have the means to assess this. That is why the rising sun gets a pass. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
I’m in Japan, and even here, where the country is generally less aware of its own atrocities than Germany, the Rising Sun is NOT on a myriad of things. With the exception of the Asahi daily newspaper and some yakiniku restaurant logos, its use is pretty openly connected to the far right, and anyone seen sporting a rising sun is treated in pretty much the same way someone in the US wearing a confederate flag. I see the swastika more than i see the rising sun here.
It happens, but generally only in connection with the right.
Which part of Japan? In respects to the rising sun I will definitely say that what I've seen usually doesn't have it by its self (unless on a fishing boat). Little trinket shops in Shinsaibashisuji (Osaka) have it on plates/mugs/notebooks/posters for tourist(usually paired in a scene with Mt. Fuji). Definitely seen it more in the aspect as a back drop for light up Tairyobata style banners in Tokyo and Sapporo.
-
I have a relative with the first name Adolf. He was born in the 1920s. Dude is soo bummed on his name.
-
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The use of the rising sun long predates japanese imperialism and wasn't created as a symbol to represent it. Plain and simple. There's nothing more to this.
Similar to the first name "Adolf/Adolph," yet still parents rarely choose to give that name...wonder why?
Is there anything inherently wrong with using the name though? There isn't. So should Japan also change its national flag because it was flown in countries that Japan took over? Is the Union Jack a symbol of hate since it also represents the British empire and all that they have done? What are we really attempting to do in this thread besides complain?
Sure name your kid Adolph. Nothing in a name at all. No problem at all for his Jewish teacher whose grandparents were gassed.
Fly through Rising Sun, isn’t disrespectful at all to people who lost family under Japanese occupation.
I’m sure you have no problem just wearing a Nazi swastika, because it’s just some lines.
If people want to associate with a regime that did terrible shit, that’s their problem, right?
And yeah, I actually do think in the future, if we make it through the next 50, will look back and see the US and UK flags with more objective eyes, and see that they were also responsible for horrendous crimes.
This is where you're mixing it up; The NAZI swastika is NOT THE swastika. One was been used for centuries and is still widely used while the other is a perversion of it and is only used by hate groups. They are two different images even though they may be similar. The union jack has been in use since the 1800's. Do you feel that the united states should change its flag due to the imposing nature it may have on people of other nations? You don't need another 50 years to think about this.
No, I’m not mixing it up, I’m using your logic.
You say what’s the big deal, the rising Sun has been around since before Japan’s imperialism, wasn’t created as a symbol to represent it.
But it WAS the symbol chosen to represent it, and still is. It retains that history and meaning.
Likewise the swastika wasn’t created by the Nazis (there is one THE swastika, by the way, it’s increasingly varied, just as rising Sun depictions are across cultures) but they used it, and now for much of the world that’s the only meaning it has. Especially as people who idolize the Nazis still use it (just as the Japanese ultra-right still uses it and other imperial symbols).
However Japan has largely reduced its Imperial tradition to the Emperor being a non-political symbol, and has a pacifist constitution.
The US is still functionally an empire, with bases all over the world, and has not made amends to the genocide of the native population of its own country, nor it’s attacks on other countries and the damage it caused, Afghanistan being only a very recent example. That’s why much of the world no longer sees the US positively, and often burns the flag.
So should the US change its flag?
I’m less concerned about the flag that the actions that lead to people hating the flag, it should stop oppressing people, killing other countries for oil, stop fucking with other countries’ democratic elections, and stop destroying our common environment for money.
When a country uses a symbol, it is a symbol not just for bullshit patriotic sentiments (as seen by its citizens),it’s a symbol of the evils (as seen by victims and outside observers).
Personally I hate the US government and economic/political system, so I’d rather see that change before the flag. Just changing the flag without addressing the problems that make the flag a symbol for those problems is just branding.
Within that logic then yes they are the same. What makes them the same is that the swastika and rising sun are still very much in use. However with the smallest amount of effort we can assess the intent of that use. It's multifaceted. If you're in japan you will see the rising sun used on a myriad of things (flags, posters, general art, etc) but you may also witness a far right protest were they are spewing anti Korean rhetoric and also use the rising sun in their propaganda. If you're in in Japan, Korea, India, China, Cambodia, Thailand, etc and you see a swastika on you can surely understand that the intent isn't to impose hate. It's 2022 and we all have the means to assess this. That is why the rising sun gets a pass. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
I’m in Japan, and even here, where the country is generally less aware of its own atrocities than Germany, the Rising Sun is NOT on a myriad of things. With the exception of the Asahi daily newspaper and some yakiniku restaurant logos, its use is pretty openly connected to the far right, and anyone seen sporting a rising sun is treated in pretty much the same way someone in the US wearing a confederate flag. I see the swastika more than i see the rising sun here.
It happens, but generally only in connection with the right.
Which part of Japan? In respects to the rising sun I will definitely say that what I've seen usually doesn't have it by its self (unless on a fishing boat). Little trinket shops in Shinsaibashisuji (Osaka) have it on plates/mugs/notebooks/posters for tourist(usually paired in a scene with Mt. Fuji). Definitely seen it more in the aspect as a back drop for light up Tairyobata style banners in Tokyo and Sapporo.
I live inland, in the middle of Honshu. A relatively left-leaning place. There are almost zero examples of the rising Sun.
Yes, fishing/naval culture definitely has a long history of using the rising Sun. And Kansai is notorious for its conservatives. So I’m not surprised, like I said, it’s like the Confederate flag. Used for almost the same reasons, by people who want to glorify a supposedly glorious (but in actuality shitty) history.
Just like you will find the confederate flag all over the southern US. It’s not banned, as the Confederate flag is not banned, but it similarly carried heavy connotations (heavier if you are from a country that was occupied by the Japanese).
Just because you don’t seem to understand the context it is in, doesn’t mean that context doesn’t exist.
-
To OP, I live in the Bay Area and when I was in school (graduated high school in 2010), the Rising Sun was never talked about in a negative way in History classes. In fact, I felt that it and the Japanese spirit (kamikaze, etc) were somewhat romanticized. The education system in the US is definitely at fault IMO.