<Begin Segment 8>

HH: Generally speaking, I'm sure you've heard that the label put to Japanese Americans, perhaps to Asian Americans in general, regarding the "Quiet Americans." How do you feel about that label?

WM: Well, if that indicates docility, being docile and amenable to whatever somebody says, I don't think that's true. I know it's not true, it's not just a thing. You see, in our culture -- when I say "our culture," "American culture" -- in order to make sure that the listener hears what you're saying and understands what you're saying, you've got to really sometimes bang the table, I'm figuratively speaking, you can bank the table by your language, the kind of language you used. Well, in my parents' culture, it's quite to the contrary. For example, it's even true today. The Japanese won't say, "No, I won't agree to that agreement." What they will say is, "I will think about it." The message should be clear if you understand what they're saying. They're saying, "It's rude to say no, I won't do it." It's much more polite to say, "Well, I'll think about it." You have to understand that that means no in a polite fashion. Now, if these two cultures clash, if you go out there with my parents' culture and say, "I'll think about it," maybe you're going to think about it, you'll come back later. What the general American public ascribes, gives a definition to this sort of action is docility and sneaky. You don't come flat out and say no. A "devious Oriental." Well, that's too bad. Although I must tell you, frankly, even as a judge, when I wanted some things and I tried to use the more restrained approach and couldn't get anywhere, I'd revert to some good army language and tell them, I mean it. And then, only then, will they understand that I mean it.

HH: Thank you. There is another label that's often put to Asian Americans, and that is that of the "model minority." Do you have any reactions to that?

WM: Oh, sure. How dare anybody judge us by whether we're model or not model? Who designated whoever it is that's saying, "You're a model minority"? I didn't elect you, I didn't appoint you to say I'm model, you judge. This, by implication, caused the structure to be built of a superior and inferior. Only the superior says, "You're this," or, "You're that," or, "You're not this," or, "You're not that." Baloney. I mean, they have no right to do that, and I resent it as an American, as a human being, that someone arrogates to themselves this role of being a judge.

HH: Thank you very much. Is there anything you'd like to add to any of the things that we covered this afternoon?

WM: No, not particularly.

HH: Thank you very much.

WM: Not at all.

HH: It's very generous.

<End Segment 8> - Copyright © 1994 JACL Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved.