What we want to think
So I am back in New York City now and things are starting to fall into place. Now that I am back in the city I am starting to remember the things I disliked about it. The same thing happens to me when I go to Japan. I don’t think I could live long term in Japan just because the country seems so much more fun when I am not there. Even as I write this I really can’t think of anything that I dislike about Japan, other then the fact that being poor in Japan kinda sucks and doing business in Japan is really tough.
Coming back to NYC some of the first thoughts that came into my mind is that its a very racially tense city. Which is the price we pay for being so diverse. Boston has its racial problems but it is very segmented, so you feel it most when you’re in the “wrong” neighborhood. When I lived in Beacon Hill and Back Bay I often joked that I was the only black person on my street in Back Bay, which was probably true. I did see something like 5 or 6 regular minorities in Beacon Hill but I was always suspect, especially at night. Beacon Hill and Back Bay would be considered “white neighborhoods.”
Growing up in NYC its hard to comprehend how segregated America really is. There aren’t many “white” or “black” neighborhoods in NYC there are areas that are predominitaly one or the other but there is always some mix. As we saw from Katrina, America is still very much segregated not only by race but also by class. Nearly 13 percent of America live in poverty. To be clear, 37,000,000 Americans live in poverty. This is more then a Black and White issue, this affects all Americans. In fact, more Whites have fallen into poverty over the last year in America then Blacks.
Katrina shattered the American myth of equality that many proud Americans love to talk about (myself included) and that America tries to export. But the entire world has now seen our true colors. For 37,000,000 Americans, Black, White, and other, the American dream is a nightmare. Despite what I would like to think, 37 Million Americans is a fact that can not be disputed.
September 8th, 2005 at 1:38 pm
I think all this segregation and topics of equality can be more easily understood if one grew up in an international environment. I came from an international school while in SEA. I was exposed to multi-cultural events and sports team from different international and American schools in the area.
When I first came to the US, it wasn’t so much of a culture shock to me and I didn’t feel segregated. I mixed with everyone. However, some of the Asian friends I hung out with who were either born here or came over from Asia at a younger age tend to segregate themselves. Perhaps their upbringing had caused them to make that choice. I’ve been to Philly, Chicago, NYC, LA and other cities including Boston and to me, it’s not so bad. Perhaps I don’t see it from my perspective just because of my upbringing. I wonder how much of that has to do with a child’s upbringing.
September 9th, 2005 at 2:04 am
Being brought up in a very international surrounding, born in Amsterdam , lived in Tokyo then Kansas and back in Tokyo again. I have come to the conclusion that Tokyo is a place to visit and do business but not to live. I’m always torn on how difficult it is to live in Tokyo , regulations,taxes,cost of living, neighbors etc etc but then when I look at my work, there isn’t any place other that I would like to work. Business is tough and difficult but it can be rewarding in its own way. When I lived in Kansas I was broke but I got by and had a lot of time to do some serious soul searching. In Tokyo rarelly do I get the time to think my life over, but when I became a father I decided that I would work in Tokyo for another 10-15 years but then I would go an find somewhere were I could live like a human not a machine.
September 9th, 2005 at 10:19 am
Kentaro,
Its tough, I personally wouldn’t mind working and living in Osaka for awhile but it seems as though in Japan if you want to be serious about business you have to be in Tokyo. Tokyo isn’t horrible, but like you said regulations, taxes, cost of living are all tough. My friend in Osaka keeps trying to convince me that I should set up shop in Panama or Brazil or some other local that is business friendly, inexpensive and with a high standard of living. Thats sort of a pipe dream right now, since I haven’t seen many businesses that don’t require some face to face customer interaction, except for SPAM’ing. And I imagine Tokyo requires even more then America does.
September 9th, 2005 at 3:48 pm
Disparity of wealth spells certain doom
While there is probably enough blame to go around, and far too much finger pointing. The sad truth is that if we learn nothing else about the Katrina tradegy and subsequent Home Land Security debacle, America still has a very…
September 13th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
Beacon Hills.. yeah nice area. I stayed for a month back in 98′, I think to attend summer session. After spending 2 1/2 yrs in MA and moved to NY, I was shocked by the racial tension. As a place gets bigger and more diverse, there are more racial issues. That was a huge reality punch for me since I thought NYC was a “melting pot” comparing with Tokyo.
I must agree living in Tokyo is tough even being a Japanese. I miss living in East Coast but do not feel like going back for awhile. I have been travel around SouthEast Asian countries and felt Japan is getting behind in many aspects especially on business side. This may a lot to do with regulations and conflicts of old vs new business tactics/politics and ongoing language issues.
September 14th, 2005 at 12:18 pm
peace
ejovi nuwere…
i surfed into your site from jeepbastard.com. just wanted to say that its a refreshing and stimulating read. i plan on putting it into regular rotation. i’m only a few entries in but looks as if you have a solid head on your shoulders. i can respect a cat that’s doing his thing and building something for himself. God’s blessings on your future ventures.
be easy & stay focused.
yak
October 2nd, 2005 at 2:49 pm
I used to always wonder how a city with so many different cultures and nationalities could have segregation and prejudice. I moved to the Atlantic City area years ago, and I was so excited to be around the cultures, etc., coming from a small town in Indiana. But, when I got there I was so surprised how even though there were many different people, they all stayed in their little neighborhoods and went to only their own little nightclubs, etc. It was almost like a lot of little countries trying to live on top of each other but remain separate…funny. It was almost like they were missing the whole point of coming to America…