The Ainu Are Pretty Much The Only Ones Recognized As Indigenous By The Japanese Government, Which Is

The Ainu are pretty much the only ones recognized as indigenous by the Japanese government, which is crazy, considering there were MANY more indigenous groups in Japan, whose numbers are even smaller, and with even less than the already-meager protections the Ainu have. It's so bad that a decent portion of the Japanese population genuinely aren't aware of the situation (I've spoken to a few who didn't know until like, last year that some of these groups are still around).

Not to try to detract from this post- just wanted to add that it's important not to forget that, just like indigenous groups in the west (specifically North and South America), they're not just one lump sum (many people like to act as if all native Americans are just one group and not literally hundreds if not thousands of tribes with their own unique languages and practices), and they've all suffered just as much from oppression, colonization, and discrimination.

We can't rewind time, but we can try to improve what we have now. Acknowledging, learning, and spreading as much information about these indigenous cultures and celebrating them is so important. I'm no expert- as far as I know, I'm neither from any of these groups nor do I personally know people who willingly acknowledge that they are (many Ainu, for example, deny their own heritage because of discrimination, as highlighted by the post above), so I can only encourage people to try and speak to, learn about, and help these communities in any way they can.

abc.net.au

For years, Japan tried to keep their existence a secret. But the Ainu people refuse to disappear

Japan's Ainu people have their own history, languages and culture. But, as the victims of colonialism, assimilation and discrimination, much

As a young boy in school, Masaki Sashima would be dragged out of his classroom and beaten by his fellow students.

Masaki, now 72, was different to the other kids. 

He was Ainu, an Indigenous people from the country's northern regions, most notably the large island of Hokkaido.

"During recess, the hallway door would open, and several guys would yell at me to come out," he said.

"I clung to my desk in the classroom and kept quiet.

"Everyone would surround me and beat me."

Japan has long portrayed itself as culturally and ethnically homogenous, something that some have even argued is a key to its success as a nation.

More than 98 per cent of Japanese people are descendants of the Yamato people. 

But the Ainu are distinct, with their own history, languages, and culture.

But, as the victims of colonialism, assimilation, and discrimination, much of that identity has been lost. 

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Out of Context WIP Poll!

I was tagged by @littleladymab and @kaylinalexanderbooks for this one! Thank you both so much for the tag! 💜

Rules: Post out of context/bad summaries of your WIPs and make a poll for people to choose from.

I already did this a while ago for most of my ongoing WIPs, but I haven't done one yet for Of Starlight and Beasts (my main one, currently), and Grymm City Chronicles (my chaotic webcomic in the making), so let's do this!

Tagging: @lassiesandiego @little-peril-stories @oh-no-another-idea @thepeculiarbird @rickie-the-storyteller @crowandmoonwriting @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @gummybugg @forthesanityofstorytellers @doublegoblin @aalinaaaaaa @starlit-hopes-and-dreams @elshells @clairelsonao3 @anyablackwood and OPEN TAG

EXAMS ARE OVER, AND I'M FREEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi!! in need of moots who share a love for writing, creating ocs, world building, & all that fun stuff!!! i would love to have more people to be able to talk about ocs / canon characters, writing, and original universes with, so don’t hesitate to interact with this if this sounds like you!!!

If you could relive any of your memories, which would it be?

That's a bit tough! I could go lighthearted, or I could go heavy. I think I'll go lighthearted and say the first time I read The Lightning Thief. Or watched The Last Airbender. Kinda miss that magic of having my mind blown, lol. Thanks for the ask!