Ronald Takaki’s A Different Mirror takes us through America’s history from a different perspective. Takaki presents a vision of America in its “transformation” period as a functioning society. This is a totally different approach. The dominant idea in American history was that America was a new country and that the Europeans had to show the possibilities and challenges it presented. A Different Mirror takes a different approach to American History. It focuses on the lives of immigrants who made it their home and fought for equality. Takaki places great emphasis on an alternative narrative, one that fully embraces the idea of a multi-cultural America. This includes all cultures represented and their individual backgrounds. Native Americans were all involved in shaping American History. This alternative view of America’s past and the consequences and outcomes of manifest destiny and master narrative makes me wonder if he really thought this way. Takaki’s bias can be stated as a statement of fact, but it is a bias towards the question. This bias is rooted in the credit that “white Europeans” have received in the shaping and founding of America. The purpose of the book’s chapter one is laid out in the first paragraph. “How long are you a resident of this country?” This question speaks volumes about America’s diverse racial culture. However, the way it is asked is what makes it so important. Is this a better question than asking Takaki where you are from? Maybe. The passive tone of the question was what I thought made it so important. The taxi driver seems to assume that Takaki’s ethnicity means that he cannot be American. One question I had was the fact that Takaki didn’t give a year. The world has changed and people have different views. Would it have been acceptable to ask this question if this was in the early ’70s or mid-’80s? While it’s unlikely that they will, was it more common in those days to assume someone not of America was? Perhaps. As we move closer to the present day in America, it is assumed that all people are given the same rights regardless of their racial or ethnic background. Takaki does not demonstrate any bias against people of different races; in fact, his intelligence and insight prevents such prejudiced judgments. However, I feel that Takaki is proud of his culture and the past experiences of his family in the creation and maintenance America. A descendant of Japanese field workers in Hawaii, I feel that his subconscious bias towards white Europeans living here may be due to being Japanese. But, I think he is far too educated to have these biases. “He was very aware of the inequities within Hawaii’s complex and ethnically-divided plantation system. He observed how long-hours were spent in the sugar cane factories, which were hot and humid.

His Japanese heritage and his ancestors’ history do influence his view of the alternative narrative of American history that was presented in A Different Mirror. My opinion is that most history books about American history only focus on the progress made by white Europeans. While they include racism, slavery, and mistreatment, they don’t provide much information about the causes. They also do not discuss how immigrants came to power. History books tend to focus more on the settlers. Takaki’s views are refreshing and offer a different perspective. They also tend to sway opinions. Slavery in Virginia is one example. In 1860, Virginia’s 550,000 slaves made up one-third of its population. Takaki’s “A Different Mirror” goes into detail about the horrific event of slavery in chapters five and six. I have read outside readings to find that my understanding of his vision does not accurately reflect these events. “Early African laborers were sometimes enlisted alongside indentured Europeans to serve a term. Black and white slaves indentured to each other shared alcohol, sex and death. Takaki doesn’t go into the details of these shared experiences between blacks, whites, and slaves. Although slavery and indentured servants are not necessarily the same, there is no guarantee that all whites will have the same hatred towards blacks. However, this doesn’t mean that all whites supported slavery or shared Takaki’s implied attitude towards blacks. The abolitionists were the exact opposite. The forum video was far more informative than Takaki’s books. While Takaki did not intentionally focus on the slave owners in his book, I doubt that he intended to do so. However, I feel that the issues were not equally covered. Ronald Takaki has a high reputation among his peers. He is also an award-winning author. I don’t judge his character nor question his writing. A Different Mirror is an excellent book that’s extremely well written and worth reading for anyone interested in learning more about the history of our country. But I’d advise them to take it all with a grain. Takaki emphasizes the important role played by race in America’s growth. Takaki makes the main point by pointing out that having darker skin was a sign that you are inferior in America’s history. This was the most common perception of non-whites in the eighteenth-century. Takaki’s goal was to challenge this notion that is still growing in America today. Although I don’t believe A Different Mirror was intended to be read with biases towards British settlers or white settlers, it is still there. I was struck by how proud I felt to be an American as I read the book. Many people have read this book and will continue to do so. While I don’t claim that slavery is the only option, there are better alternatives. Slaves were forced to go to America because they did not want to. The “land that offers opportunity” was open to all who decided to travel to America. While I do agree that many people were treated with hostility, not all were. It was not just whites who were causing them hostility. My biological parents were both Irish. Their parents most likely arrived in America around the beginning of 1900s. Takaki’s words are true. My ancestors were working in factories, textile warehouses, and living in middle America at the time. Do I need to write a book that focuses on the struggles of immigrants in America during the 1900s? It is unlikely. A Different Mirror may be very accurate and historical, but Takaki is, to my knowledge, biased. He describes how early settlers treated native Americans, and the actions they took after Pearl Harbor. This feeling to me remained constant. With so much great information and a well-written book, everything seems to be revolving around one theme: non-whites are treated like dirt by whites. As I said, I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in American history. But I’d advise that you take it with some salt.

Author

  • luisschneider

    Luis Schneider is a 29-year-old blogger and teacher from Hamburg, Germany. He runs a successful educational blog and is passionate about helping others learn. Luis has a degree in education and has been teaching for several years. He is a highly-skilled educator and has a lot to share with others.

American History From The Point Of View Of An Emigrant: A Different Mirror By Ronald Takaki
luisschneider

luisschneider


Luis Schneider is a 29-year-old blogger and teacher from Hamburg, Germany. He runs a successful educational blog and is passionate about helping others learn. Luis has a degree in education and has been teaching for several years. He is a highly-skilled educator and has a lot to share with others.


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