Conclusion

In the end, what is identity? Identity is what defines individuals’ access to society, therefore is based on the social context of the time. Japan once admired aspects of Korean culture, despite discriminating against Koreans. It was not until the 1910 annexation that the Korean minority in Japan grew and their marginalization became more evident. To hide Japan’s marginalization and prevent Western colonization, the nation presented itself as a homogenous nation for a long time. Japan successfully prevented colonization–not because the Western world feared Japan, but because they feared China and viewed East Asia homogeneously. Zainichi are still viewed as foreigners today despite political advancements regarding other ethnic minorities in Japan (Htun 3). As a result, fourth- and fifth- generation zainichi forgo Korean citizenship given that they have little to no knowledge of their Korean heritage. Their dilemmas with national identity are no longer as prominent because zainichi have lived in Japan for so many generations. In comparison, Native Americans still grapple with their identities because they were never physically displaced from their nation of origin. Instead, they were displaced from their reservations, their cultural safe havens, and relocated to urban areas. As Native Americans assimilated to urban living, the following generations gained a negative outlook on reservation life and became detached from their culture. As a result, generations of urban Native Americans know little to nothing about their heritage because they require tribal connection to legally and culturally identify as Native American. Similar to zainichi, Native Americans have been “othered” in American society, not only because they are a minority, but because their identities are specific to their tribes. A lack of understanding of Native American tribes and cultures results in identity dilemmas when accepting a Native American identity. However, Native Americans are often able to rely on their Native American counterparts to welcome them into their community with open arms. This is because blood quantum aimed to separate Native Americans from their ethnic group and eventually eliminate the entire ethnic group. The contrasting ethnic groups provide a deeper understanding of the impact of acculturation on defining identity. If the ethnic groups had not acculturated, defining their identity may have been easier, but it may have come at a social cost.