I believe that one can say my elementary years were like
living in a "melting pot". I attended an American
school for children of foreign civilians that were living in
Okinawa. No Japanese were allowed to enter this school. However,
since my brother was an American citizen, my little brother and I
were accepted. Later in my life, I realized that my seven years
(elementary school + 1 year in junior high school) in this school
has changed my way of thinking as well as my whole life. The name
of the school that I spent my seven precious years was
Okinawa Christian School.
Since it was a Christian school, many students had parents who
were missionaries from the United States. Some were emigrants
from other countries such as Philippines, China, Laos, and
Thailand. Other friends of mine were half-Japanese and half-
American. We spoke English during class. However, as soon as the
class finished, we start to talk in chan-pu-ru, meaning
"mix" in Okinawan dialect (it originally comes from the
same word in Indonesian). English, Japanese, and Okinawan dialect
were all mixed and spoken like separate language. Though my
foreign friends did not fully understand Japanese, they were able
to figure out what we were talking about.
Being in this situation from a young age, I learned many
things that I could not have by attending a local Japanese
school. My friends and I were different in appearance, family
background, economical situation: in almost everything element!
The common element that we shared was that we went to the same
school. Everybody accepted one another as we were. No
discrimination or criticism was made to people because of how
they looked or thought.
I learned to respect other people that were completely
different from myself.
Today, many countries, regions, religions and races, (and much
more!) are fighting against each other because they can not
understand each other. People are murdered. Families are
splitting. Everything that I have feared for is happening at this
very moment. My generation will eventually come to an age that we
must run the government, society, and the economy. If people that
do not have the heart to give effort in understanding others, how
will this world turn out?
Tragedy. I believe no one hopes for it.
My years in the American school and going to Japanese junior
high and high school helped me to adjust to many different
situations. Especially, my elementary years effected me in a very
meaningful way. Going to school with so many different and unique
friends, made me open my eyes, ears, and my heart to many people.
I will always treasure and never forget what I have learned from
these years.
