Slanted Eyed Japanese Gained a Wisdom on a Street of London

 

One day, about 40 years ago, I was on the way from school to the underground station .

 

At that time, few people started call Japanese “Slanted eyes” at the school. The person making racial remark was using typical London way - to wisper into your ear a racist remark, to make sure you hear it but no one else. 

It was almost everyday thing that adults in suites wisper into my ear with horrible racist remarks. Beware, it was almost 40 years ago and things might be different now.

Few girls, who have faced racial abuse for the first time, were either in deep shock or panic. 

As I consoled them and give them emotional support, I was beginning to think I can not take this burden any more. Everyday, someone was crying, and they somehow call me and asked me to listen to  what they have to say.

 

One of the girls reported the racial remarks to a teacher who was responsible for the school affairs.

 

The process was slow, and I was almost there to spot the ring leader. That was a boy I have never seen, although I was at school more than 2 terms.

 

One day, the racial remarks on tubes were particularly hard, I hurried to the school, although being uncomfortable that remarks of “Slanted Eye” is coming from the students and new victim might be one the way.

 

On the way home, a white man threw pebble at me. Once I crossed the road to the underground station, a black mam threw banana peel at me while he was walking by.

 

This was my limit. I shouted to the man “Piss off, you nonce” The man turned back, looking at me, surprised,

 

Then, I heard another voice from behind. There were two black men sitting by the pedestrian.

One of the men said “ Why are you so cross ?”

 

I explained him what was happening at the school, on the underground, and at tube station.

 

The man nodded, saying “Typical. You shouldn’t be worried about it. Just chill, and let things go by. They have their own problems”

 

I replied “How could I let it go, when I am racially abused? I think I should say few words”.

 

He said “All in good time, all in good time”.

 

I sat next to him and explained the pecking order in London (back in the end of 1980’s , by the way)

 

White people peck Blacks, Asians and Orientals

Black people peck Asians and Orientals.

Asians peck Oriental

 

And Oriental ? We peck none, as back then, there were no smaller racial minorities in London. 

Maybe we should start a riot, if that would make us feel better?

 

I talked with the man about the colour of our skin. Japanese do get sun burnt, becoming probably much darker than Indian girls or boys we see on the street. Unfortunately the weather in England is too gloomy, so there is almost no chance to get sunburned in this country.

 

The man said “ But you will be pale after summer, right ? We do become paler in winter,

He had very dark complexion. Perhaps he might be a descendant of African national.

After that, we shoed each other’s palm, and came to conclusion that our colour has something in common. My hand was yellowish-pink, and his palm was pink.

 

He told me that God is testing you, to be in the racial trouble and see if I can cope with it well.

 

I said whatever God or Allah or Kami is giving me a challenge, I hope they will stop all these nonsenses.

 

The man said once again. “Keep cool and just let things go by. No fight”

 

“Dose that including talking back to people making racial remarks ?

 

He nodded.

 

I could keep promise for few days. But deep within me, there was another me who wanted to talk back.

Few days later, the school sent letters to each student’s parents, saying that there was racial conflict in the school, and it is now dealt with.

Even after that, some Japanese or Japanese American girls continued saying the racial remarks and racist attitude in London back then.

 

Then comes another white boy. He whispers into my ear that “But I still think Orientals are ugly.

 

I recall, that I called him a white pig. I wonder if I got the euphemism right.

 

To this date, the wisdom I received the man on the street is in my mind.

 

“Keep cool and just let things go by. No fight”

 

Whenever I come across the situation which irritates me, I recall what the man said to me.

It has been almost 40 years ago, and the word is still clear in my mind.