by Maykovich, Minako
Maykovich, Minako K. Japanese American Identity Dilemma. Tokyo: Waseda University Press, 1972. 151 pages. Paperback. Blue wrappers with white illustration. This book from sociologist Minako K. Maykovich takes a scientific approach toward characterizing identity differences between first generation (Issei), second generation (Nisei), and third generation (Sansai) Japanese-Americans. Maykovich utilizes a sociometric profile of 508 Sansei college students in California to document the increasingly radical political views of Japanese-Americans in the 1960s and 70s which significantly differ from earlier generations. Chapters outline traditional Japanese values among first generation Issei immigrants, increasing assimilation by the Nisei, and the resulting rebellion against assimilation by the Sansei. The book makes comparisons between Japanese-American identity politics and the fight for Black civil rights in the 60s, and credits the "Black is Beautiful" movement with inspiring the Sansei generation's "Yellow Power" political activism. Maykovich draws heavily from poetry and editorials from the LA-based Asian American community newspaper Gidra to illustrate attitudes toward identity held by young Japanese-Americans. The book opens with a poem originally published by Gidra, reading "who am I?/i sometimes wonder/am i Japanese? am i american? or just both./to the whites i represent the yellow peril./to the other minorities i am looked at with contempt as though i were white/to fellow asians i am american/who am i? i sometimes wonder./i am me, a human being." Minor edge wear to top and bottom of spine. Not price clipped. Overall very good condition. A sociological study of Japanese-American political activism in California post-WWII. (Inventory #: 20486)