Comments by "coriolisky" (@coriolisky) on "What's it like being Black in Japan?" video.

  1. I think they are quick to self-identify as black because they are aware of how they are often perceived. They may see themselves as citizens of X or Y country, but when it comes down to brass tacks, the experience of being black often trumps that. Not so for white foreigners, who are usually accepted at face value for the nationality they claim to be. America actually defines nationality and culture with looser boundaries than the majority of the world does, not the other way around.
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  2. Also, a lot of the "we're shy" claims from Japanese people are excuses for xenophobia. Not always, but often. East Asian societies place a /huge/ emphasis on image, and to be perceived as xenophobic or racist damages their reputations. So they try to cover their feelings up with words like that.
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  3. Do not use that word. Under ANY circumstances.
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