Can You Be Blindingly Positive?

A popular Japanese publication is soliciting story ideas and searching for Japan-based writers to write stories on a variety of topics.

I sent them some of the more popular stories I've written, like the story about a black woman married to a Japanese guy she met when she crashed a Japanese party in NYC, and a story I did for Metropolis about Arianna Miyamoto's plans once the Miss Universe Japan fever died down, and such.

They replied by saying the articles I sent were "mostly about race" and that it "would be great if you could send us some articles about various themes."

So, after taking a very deep breath, I replied...

"Dear (Omitted):

When you say the stories are about "race" what do you mean exactly? That the stories feature "black" people living in Japan?

If that is what you mean then most of my published writing is about "race".

When I first came to Japan, I realized that most writers here avoided talking about race, except for the statement made by its absence. That being, the less race is talked about, the better. Which, of course, is the opposite of truth. Some people believe that if you even talk about black people, then you are invariably talking about race. This I agree with, sadly. We do not live in a colorblind world. Quite the opposite. And because the concept of "black" itself is a racist construct, a label created by racists to identify a people at least as diverse as their own: namely, the "black" race, yes, it is virtually impossible to talk about black people without talking about "race". As soon as you stick "black" in there, it becomes about race.

I can't undo history, so I'm stuck with that "black" label til I die.

So be it.

And therefore, unfortunately, the only way I can avoid writing about race as it is currently defined is by refraining from writing about myself, or about life through my eyes, where every day is filled with people and institutions and thousands of little reminders of how the color of my skin (whether I'm in America or Japan) is perceived. Try as I may to ignore it, to man up and power through it, it's almost always a "thing". That's the sad truth that most black and brown people live with, despite the smiles you see on our faces.

The other problem is, if I and other black writers don't write about blackness, it will still get written about, but generally by people who don't understand or misunderstand or purposely misconstrue blackness, people who believe that my being "black" says something about me. The void will get filled and often with ignorant or negative stories that diminish and even tarnish "blackness".

So I decided to focus my energy on making sure that there are alternatives and even positive stories about "black" people available as well.

Sorry, I don't write about temples and onsen and Sake and exercise tips, parks and restaurants and travelogues, and Japanese artisans, and white expats because there are thousands of writers already doing that, and doing it well. I think readers are better served by my writing about under-covered / under-addressed topics like the growing diversity, challenges to inclusiveness, and increased leadership roles "blacks" and biracial Japanese are finding themselves in nowadays here in Japan.

I find it uplifting and enlightening to write stories about people like Ariana Miyamoto as she became the first black Miss Universe Japan, and about Oussouby Sacko becoming the first black University president in Japan. And about Naomi Osaka's rise, her political activation in response to attacks mostly from her fellow Japanese people, and her impact on how Japan thinks about itself.

For example, she is the most prominent face of Japan on the world stage right now, and a self-proclaimed black woman. As much as many would like to downplay that fact, as uncomfortable a fact that might be for readers and people in general, that is the case, and people need and want to know how that is changing the country around them, and people around the world want/need to know how Japan is evolving as a result.

If that is what you mean by "race" then yes that's what I write about, and that's the marginalized voice I offer you, as well as all my years of experience, my award-winning talents, my loving heart and keen mind focused on the upliftment of the country I've called home now for 20 years.

You asked me what themes I would recommend that I believe would be of broad interest to people in Tokyo, and I recommend this! It is the issue of the day, and I believe one of the most critical issues to Tokyo's growth as an international city (and I was born and raised in NYC so I know a little something about that) and Japan's growth as a nation and as a respectable and more importantly self-respecting world power. Failure to recognize that will result in the same horrors that have befallen America and other nations around the world, plagued by dismissive and condescending attitudes towards minorities and minority concerns, and default to escapist excuses like "discussing race makes readers uncomfortable." I hope Japan doesn't make that mistake.

The key to writing about sensitive issues like race is to write about them with clarity, honesty, humility, humor, and integrity. In that way, it can't help but generate goodwill and consideration from anyone who sees all human beings as equals. So, unless your readership is made up of hardcore racists and the dredges of Japanese society, nothing I write will be disconcerting in the least. And honestly, when my writing doesn't make at least some people uncomfortable, it's generally because I was trying too hard to be liked and accepted and wound up compromising my integrity to do so.

So yes, I've become that guy who writes about race issues here in Japan, and take a lot of heat and frankly have missed a lot of opportunities because of it. But I feel fortunate that every time I sit down to write, I have the capacity to say something of value in a way that will reach the hearts and minds of people whose hearts and minds are within reach. And I would love to write for you!

If you feel what I have to say is of some value to your publication, please let me know.

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!

We'll see if they get back to me. My expectations are not high but I could use the work. I'll be damned if I'm gonna write about some jazz bar in Ebisu cuz talking about race makes readers uncomfortable though, you know?

— They respond a couple of days later —

“Can You Be Blindingly Positive?”

Basically, their response said they were looking to shine a "blindingly positive light" on Japan, free of opinions and editorial, and based on my samples, I may not be the best fit for their needs at the moment.

"Understate much??" I wanted to reply, but didn't. Instead, I said, "Yeah, no, you're right, not so much, but thanks for thinking of me. Hope we can work together another time."

They never really responded properly to my remarks in my email,l but there's not much that can be said. Actually, they’d kinda compounded their initial bs by inferring that stories of "black" people succeeding in Japan, building lives and families, achieving unprecedented heights in representation against incredible odds don't qualify as "blindingly positive stories" about this country...and are merely "race" stories.

Maybe they prefer their readers remain blinded by an artificially positive light. Maybe the light my work shines is too unharnessable? Would reveal too much. Like sunlight, when they’re merely seeking to make the country glow.

I didn't push it, though. Not trying to burn a bridge, particularly a potentially lucrative one. Just wanted to give them a nudge, let them know who I am, on the real.

Besides, there's always more where that came from, unfortunately, so I gotta save my energy for the next editor that thinks black equals race equals uncomfortable readers... There are, regrettably, too many of them. Trying to financially force me into writing what they want cuz they hold the purse strings.

And, yes, a moment of silence for this loss of several hundred thousand yen that won't be paying down my mortgage.

I'm weeping inside, believe me.

Maybe I need to learn how to sell out / compromise one of these days.

Shit! I could write a blindingly positive story about this place without any mentions of, well, myself, or discussions or even allusions to anything problematic, without "race" (meaning "black" or non-traditional Japanese people) playing into it in any way.

I could write about shit I don't care about. People do it all the time, right? I've rarely if ever done it but how hard can that be?

Maybe I'll give it a try just for, er, fun.

Don't be surprised if my next article is about Pikachu sightings in Yokohama.

PPS: If you haven’t yet, check out my new book, which captures many of the challenges of building and maintaining a successful career as a writer here in Japan. How, with the support of my gifted wife Miki, I’ve managed to carve out a little life in this lovely country.

“Words by Baye, Art by Miki” Get More info and purchase it HERE

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