Eric Wada, a person of Okinawan ancestry in Hawai’i, teacher of Okinawan language and a master of traditional Okinawan sanshin and song, posted the following open letter on Facebook to the people of his ancestral homeland:
OKINAWA 911 !!! PLEASE READ AND DISTRIBUTE !
To all in Okinawa,
Okinawa needs to realize their rights have been taken away over and over. They have been lied to and used as sacrifice by the Japanese, just because they are not really Japanese, but Ryukuan. A colonized land taken over by U.S. and Japan. Okinawa has no voice. Okinawa needs to stand up and demand their rights.
They were forcefully annexed in 1879, same as Queen Lili`uokalani of Hawai`i. They were told that their way of life, dress and culture are inferior and that they must stop speaking their native language . They were taught that they were stupid and would not be able to hold a good job or position if they spoke Okinawan. They were punished for being Okinawan.
Now less than 5% of the population understands and speaks the language. Okinawa did not have any voice in these decisions. Almost all Okinawans believed the reversion to Japan would bring them equality and status as Japanese.
It has been 40 years and nothing has changed as Okinawans still receive the bad end of the deal. They take the burden of 80% of all U.S. bases in Japan, but Okinawa has not seen the economic rewards. The only ones who prosper is the landowners and a small percentage who work on the bases. The majority of Okinawans still suffer as Japan has not helped to build Okinawa back up after making it it’s sacrifice in the war, although knowing that they were going to surrender. 140,00 Okinawans, elders, women, children, lost their lives in the only land battle, as innocent Ryukyuan blood was spilled in a war they were forced to be a shield for.
Okinawa now faces the base decision being shoved down their throats should the Japan government create a new law to override the Okinawans’ decision. U.S. is putting pressure on Japan, without consideration to the vote and decision of the Okinawa people. Articles quote U.S. as saying ‘for national interests..etc” Who’s interests? Americans? So much for “Liberty and Justice for All”. Its very interesting how the so called democratic laws of the U.S., works at their discretion, but otherwise can be thrown aside when it comes to forcing what they want on foreign peoples and lands.
As for Japan, the prejudice of the Okinawans still remains as Okinawa is used for its own gains. If only Okinawa can realize their rights are being violated over and over and if this continues there will be no more Okinawa. If U.S. really preaches “Liberty and Justice for All”, then they must honor the decision of the Okinawans and honor their promise to return Futenma. If not…Futenma agreement was only to quell the anger from the rape in 1995.
Okinawans understand how important peace is, but at the same time cannot continue to be the sacrifice as their rights are continually violated. The Battle of Okinawa is not over…the cultural genocide of Okinawa continues.