Greetings,

actually you didnt state specifically what the double talk was, just that it existed. As for the existance of asian racism, no i wasnt around in the second world war but a significant proportion of my family was, i have also worked for japanese people, have been studying under a japanese shakuhachi master for the past four years, and have had cultivated quite a number of japanese and chinese freinds through an interest in asian culture and the martial arts. And the fact is that this racism is ongoing, not something limited to the past.

It is possible that their is a western influence in the process, but it historically pre-dates western cultural influence. marco polo probably never actually went to china, but compiled his reports from the stories told by travellers (most of whom would not have been european). Even if he had arrived there, to suggest that one person could have that dramatic an influence over what was a very confident and sophisticated culture is a bit of a big ask.

As for the spirit of the reasoning, well that is for you to decide for yourself. But i would suggest that to constantly attack any form of criticism as simply being disguised racism is a cop out. I am not actually trying to convinve you of anything. I am not concerned with some imaginary 'victory' or conversion to any particular form of thinking or perspective. I am interested in the exchange of ideas. I know ful wel that we ar enot likely to agree on a great many things, any more than i agree with anyone else (irrespective of their melanin quotient) about everything. What is important to me at least is that we are able to coexist in disagreement. What is the altrenative?

love and life
paul