TEDx Talks - 帰国子女が考えた「自分らしさ」 | Atsushi FURUIYE （古家 淳） | TEDxSophia U
The speaker shares their personal journey of grappling with identity, having lived in Mexico and attended an American school, which led to being perceived as different in Japan. This experience sparked a deep reflection on what it means to be 'Japanese' or to possess any cultural identity. They argue that identity is not fixed but is a sum of all experiences, including those not chosen. The speaker emphasizes that identity should not be constrained by societal labels like 'Japanese-ness' or 'masculinity,' which often serve to exclude or pressure individuals to conform. Instead, they propose viewing identity as a dynamic, evolving concept that incorporates all personal experiences, making each person uniquely themselves. This perspective allows for a more inclusive understanding of identity, where even those who don't fit traditional molds contribute to the richness of cultural identity.
Key Points:
- Identity is a sum of all experiences, including those not chosen.
- Cultural and national identities are fluid and should not be constrained by societal labels.
- Labels like 'Japanese-ness' or 'masculinity' often exclude or pressure individuals to conform.
- Identity should be seen as dynamic and evolving, incorporating all personal experiences.
- Each person's unique experiences contribute to the richness of cultural identity.
Details:
1. 🎵 Musical Introduction & Applause
1.1. Musical Introduction
1.2. Audience Applause
2. 🇲🇽 Identity Journey: From Japan to Mexico
- The speaker moved to Mexico City at the age of 9 due to their father's job, marking a significant cultural transition.
- In Japan, the speaker experienced a typical Japanese childhood, attending a public school and engaging in local traditions.
- Upon relocating to Mexico, they attended an American School due to the absence of a Japanese school, signifying a shift in educational and social environments.
- The speaker's identity was shaped by being one of the few Japanese individuals in town, facing unique cultural and identity integration challenges.
- Cultural adjustments included adapting to a new language, educational system, and social norms, which were initially daunting but eventually enriching.
- This transition highlighted the complexities of maintaining cultural identity while integrating into a new society.
3. 🇯🇵 Cultural Shock: Returning to Japan
3.1. Cultural Engagement in Mexico
3.2. Transition and Identity Challenges in Japan
4. 📚 Challenging Japanese Norms
- A man reading an English book on a train in Japan was confronted by an older man who knocked the book out of his hands, expressing that Japanese people should not read such material.
- This incident highlights the cultural expectation in Japan that Japanese individuals adhere to traditional practices and possibly a resistance to Western influence.
- The story raises questions about identity and the assumptions made based on language and appearance, where the older man assumed the reader was Japanese and should conform to certain norms.
- It illustrates a resistance to cultural change and a perception of reading non-Japanese material as un-Japanese.
- This encounter suggests a broader societal challenge in Japan regarding diversity and acceptance of global influences within personal and cultural identity.
5. ❓ Questioning Identity and Belonging
- The speaker questions what it means to be a 'normal' Japanese person and reflects on the impact of living in Mexico and attending an American school on their identity.
- They express feeling caught between multiple identities - Japanese, Mexican, and American - and face a dilemma similar to choosing between parents, highlighting the complexity of identity.
- The speaker feels they cannot fully belong to any single nationality but are simultaneously a part of all three.
- This segment underscores the struggle with identity that arises from multicultural influences and the challenge of fitting into predefined national categories.
6. 🔍 Searching for True Japanese Identity
- The search for a 'normal Japanese person' highlights the complexity of defining Japanese identity.
- Common traits like 'harmony', 'aesthetic sense', and 'seriousness' are not exclusive to Japanese identity.
- Regional identity is illustrated by terms like 'Edokko' for Tokyo natives and 'Kansai person' for those from Kansai, yet these are restrictive.
- Educational identity is contested within institutions, such as the term 'Jochi-ness' at universities.
- Gender identity challenges include questioning the stereotypes of masculinity and femininity in Japan.
7. 🚫 Rejecting Stereotypes and 'Rashisa' (らしさ)
- 'Rashisa' refers to societal expectations of how certain groups should behave, such as being 'manly,' 'womanly,' or 'Japanese-like.'
- These stereotypes serve to exclude or reprimand those who do not conform, often used to push individuals into specific societal roles.
- The issue lies in questioning who benefits from enforcing these stereotypes and what the purpose of labeling someone as 'unlike' is.
- The speaker advocates for abandoning these restrictive labels entirely and focusing on individual identity, rather than conforming to stereotypes.
- The text suggests that the fun associated with cultural traits should not dictate identity, and not conforming to these traits should not be seen negatively.
- Rejecting 'Rashisa' can lead to a more inclusive society where individuals are valued for their unique identities rather than their conformity to stereotypes.
- The focus should be on dismantling the power structures that enforce these stereotypes, questioning who benefits from maintaining them.
8. 🌀 Embracing Personal Experiences
- Identifying one's true self can be difficult, especially during job hunting, as it involves questioning what actions are instinctive versus advised.
- The speaker discovered his identity through actions he continually pursued despite being advised otherwise, such as writing and sharing thoughts.
- Basic human needs are minimal, and beyond these, the actions one persists in define personal identity.
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of both choices made and those not made, like opting for steak over yakitori, as key to understanding oneself.
- Living in Mexico for five and a half years shaped the speaker's experiences significantly, highlighting the absence of time spent in Japan as a defining factor.
- To sustain passions like writing, financial means are necessary, driving the speaker to learn and adapt to various tasks.
- The narrative reflects that personal experiences are comprised of both actions taken and those foregone, forming a complete picture of one's identity.
9. 🔄 Continuous Self-Discovery & Identity Evolution
- Daily experiences, including choices like clothing and interactions, continuously evolve one's identity, making it dynamic rather than static.
- Each individual's unique set of experiences ensures that no two people develop identical identities, reinforcing the concept of being 'one-of-a-kind.'
- Accepting all facets of oneself, including perceived negatives, contributes to a robust and unwavering self-identity.
- Cultural identities, such as 'Japanese identity,' are enriched and continuously shaped by the diverse experiences of individuals within the culture.
- Identity should be viewed as a dynamic process, akin to a verb, constantly evolving with each person's actions and experiences.
- When faced with criticism about fitting a specific identity, one can assert their agency in creating a new identity through their present actions.