Week 8- Elaine Hong

    In “From Japanese to Nikkei and Back: Integration Strategies of Japanese Immigrants and Their Descendants in Brazil,” by Jeffrey Lesser, Lesser discusses the lifestyle of third generation Japanese Brazilians living in Brazil. They are seen as the positive minority, living middle class and having higher education. Though they are living in Brazil, they are also seen as outsiders called Japones.

I believe that the Japanese community living in Brazil is similar to that of Asians living America. Throughout history, Asians, especially Asian Americans, have been displaced multiple times, either by host country or homeland. Assimilation through the generations pushes people to live deeper in an in between world, neither fully "American" or "Asian."

Lesser also discusses the concept of a "positive minority," explaining the socio-economic welfare of Japanese Brazilians. They live comfortably middle class and have access to higher education. But can being the minority be a "positive" concept? Yes, Japanese Brazilians do seem to be higher in socioeconomic status but they are not treated the same and often face incongruencies and dissent in their identity that are hard to come to terms with.


Question: Is there such thing as a "positive minority?"