By John Q. Hosedrinker As I sit here reflecting on the recent news of the Berlin mayor hinting at tearing down the ‘comfort women’ memorial in the city, I am filled with a sense of disbelief and anger. The memorial stands as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, specifically the system of sexual slavery that victimized countless women across Asia. The Japanese government’s continued efforts to erase this history and suppress the voices of the survivors is both shameful and deeply troubling.
My own family history is intertwined with this dark chapter of World War II. My dutch-indonesian grandfather had to witness the brutal beheading of his sister after she refused to become a comfort woman. The trauma and pain inflicted upon these women, many of whom were young girls forced into horrific acts of sexual slavery, cannot and should not be erased or forgotten.
The Berlin mayor’s statement suggesting that the memorial is “one-sided” is not only ignorant but deeply offensive. What other side is there to this story? The comfort women were victims of a heinous crime perpetrated by the Japanese military, and their stories deserve to be remembered and honored. By attempting to remove this memorial, the Berlin mayor is essentially siding with those who wish to deny the brutal reality of what these women endured.
The Japanese government’s insistence on removing all statues dedicated to the victims of the comfort women system is a blatant attempt to whitewash history and evade responsibility. The fact that they have pressured other countries, including the Philippines and the United States, to remove similar memorials speaks volumes about their lack of remorse and accountability.
In stark contrast, Germany has taken a different approach to addressing its own dark past, particularly with regards to the Holocaust. The country has made a concerted effort to acknowledge its role in the atrocities of World War II and has ingrained the phrase “never again” into its cultural identity. The contrast between Germany’s handling of its history and Japan’s denial and evasion tactics is stark and deeply unsettling.
As someone who has heard firsthand accounts of the suffering endured by the comfort women, I cannot fathom why anyone would seek to erase or downplay their experiences. The memorials serve as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the need to confront the past in order to build a better future.
The attempt to tear down the ‘comfort women’ memorial in Berlin is not just about a statue; it is about the ongoing struggle for justice, truth, and accountability. We cannot allow those in power to silence the voices of the survivors and erase the memory of those who suffered so greatly. The comfort women deserve to be remembered, honored, and respected, and their stories must never be forgotten. The recent news of the Berlin mayor hinting at tearing down the ‘comfort women’ memorial in the city has prompted deep reflection within me. The memorial stands as a sobering reminder of the unimaginable atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, particularly the harrowing system of sexual slavery that targeted numerous women across Asia. Hearing about this attempt to remove the memorial fills me with a mixture of disbelief and anger, considering the importance of preserving the memory of the victims and the dark history they represent.
Being personally connected to this brutal chapter of history through the experiences of my dutch-indonesian grandfather, who witnessed the tragic beheading of his sister for refusing to become a comfort woman, adds a deeply emotional layer to this discussion. It is a stark reminder that the scars of war, especially those inflicted upon innocent civilian populations, should never be forgotten or dismissed. The suffering endured by the comfort women is a story that must be acknowledged, shared, and respected.
The Berlin mayor’s insinuation that the memorial is somehow “one-sided” is not only perplexing but also deeply troubling. The victims of the comfort women system were undeniably subjected to a grave injustice at the hands of the Japanese military. There is no “other side” to this story that deserves equal representation; these women were victims of a brutal crime that must be remembered in its full, harrowing reality.
Japan’s ongoing efforts to erase the history of the comfort women and suppress their stories are a disheartening continuation of their long-standing denial and evasion tactics. Pressuring other countries to remove memorials dedicated to the victims demonstrates a lack of genuine remorse and accountability on Japan’s part. In this context, the stark difference between how Germany has grappled with its past, particularly in relation to the Holocaust, and Japan’s persistent refusal to confront its history is glaring and deeply troubling.
As I reflect on the importance of these memorials, I am reminded that they are not just physical statues; they are vital symbols of remembrance, justice, and a commitment to never allowing such atrocities to be repeated. The attempt to dismantle the ‘comfort women’ memorial in Berlin represents a broader struggle for truth, dignity, and accountability. The stories of the comfort women are not just pieces of history to be shelved or hidden; they are powerful narratives of resilience, pain, and the urgent need to confront the darkest chapters of our past.
In conclusion, the voices of the survivors, the memory of the victims, and the lessons of history must never be silenced or ignored. The ‘comfort women’ memorial in Berlin stands as a beacon of remembrance and a call to action, urging us to acknowledge the past, seek justice, and work towards a future where such atrocities are never repeated. It is our duty to ensure that these stories are passed down from generation to generation, honoring the courage and resilience of those who suffered and ensuring that their legacy endures.