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**Dndjzirw** · 03-21-2007, 09:45 AM

He did say he was joking. But I also think it's true that the US (and Canadian) team's Japanese heritage has a lot to do with their success.

He knows I know he's pulling the leg....

Seriously though, while I do agree that one's background does have very strong influence in the way you describe below - I think it's a really hard thing to be born here, live here, not really speak Japanese and STILL get accused of playing for the other team (even in jest). I imagine it's the same in Canada and for people with Korean, Chinese etc. backgrounds as well.

For example, my sister-in-law was born in San Diego, her parents in Fresno and Sacramento (who, for a while, lived in Manzanar CA, and Poston UT courtesy of the US Govt - because of how they looked).

It kills me to see the times when on the one hand, non-asian folks will assume she knows all things Japanese (like the language) because of her looks and on the other hand, when Japanese folks make the same assumption and then, realizing she does not speak the language she gets the "so sorry..." and soto-voce "ah, face only" comments they think she does not understand as they walk away.

Her vengance is my neice Jennifer, who, in a few years time will be giving the SoCal kenshi fits if she keeps it up.

"If he claims to be an American..." - wow.

03-21-2007, 09:45 AM	#25
Dndjzirw Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 535 Senior Member	He did say he was joking. But I also think it's true that the US (and Canadian) team's Japanese heritage has a lot to do with their success. He knows I know he's pulling the leg.... Seriously though, while I do agree that one's background does have very strong influence in the way you describe below - I think it's a really hard thing to be born here, live here, not really speak Japanese and STILL get accused of playing for the other team (even in jest). I imagine it's the same in Canada and for people with Korean, Chinese etc. backgrounds as well. For example, my sister-in-law was born in San Diego, her parents in Fresno and Sacramento (who, for a while, lived in Manzanar CA, and Poston UT courtesy of the US Govt - because of how they looked). It kills me to see the times when on the one hand, non-asian folks will assume she knows all things Japanese (like the language) because of her looks and on the other hand, when Japanese folks make the same assumption and then, realizing she does not speak the language she gets the "so sorry..." and soto-voce "ah, face only" comments they think she does not understand as they walk away. Her vengance is my neice Jennifer, who, in a few years time will be giving the SoCal kenshi fits if she keeps it up. "If he claims to be an American..." - wow.
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