Life In Japan: School Lunch | John Rachel

As an American, when I hear a reference to ‘school lunch’ I think of school lunch programs back in my homeland. School lunch programs are designed to help the poor. Believe it or not, every night more than 13 million children go to bed hungry in what putatively the richest country in the world — the richest nation in history! The euphemism is these kids are “food insecure”. That’s a polite way of saying neglected, victims of grotesque wealth inequality, and systemic racism. School lunch, school breakfast, and after school meals, are an attempt via various government programs at keeping these children alive and minimally healthy.

Here ‘school lunch’ has an entirely different meaning.

Yes, it refers to that time around noon when across the entire country, students from four to twenty-four are sitting down for their mid-day meal.

But here in Tambasasayama, it has another very special connotation. This weekend, in fact, Masumi-san and I had a “school lunch”. It was at a restaurant set up in one of the schools which is no longer functioning as an educational institution.

Japan’s population is in freefall. This attrition is especially significant in communities like where I live. When kids here graduate from high school, it’s either off to university, or to where the “good jobs” are, which from the prevailing perspective of local youth is surely not here. Being a farmer is not glamorous, nor does it offer the opportunity to amass a decent fortune. Or falling short of a decent fortune, getting one of those high-paying corporate positions with Panasonic or Mitsubishi.

The upshot is that our town is shrinking in numbers at a rate faster than even Japan itself. Many of the schools which once served a thriving farm community now sit empty.

Well, they sit empty unless put to other use. The former school where we had our meal not only has a restaurant, but a curios shop, an arts & crafts workshop, and an art museum for showcasing local artists. Where we sat down to have lunch was previously the office area where the school’s teachers had their individual desks, a room where they could think, create teaching plans, grade tests, get away from the noise and chaos of the students.

In the grand scheme of things, the world is over-populated, exceeding the planet’s ability to support the human race living in the splendor of modernity, convenience and luxury. Most environmental experts judge the Earth’s current growth trajectory unsustainable.

In other words: we need fewer people.

Inadvertently, perhaps, Tambasasayama is doing its part to reduce the human imprint. There are very few new couples starting families here. Few babies are being produced. Meaning a number of beautiful old schools will continue to sit idle, collecting cobwebs.

Here’s one. It even has an observatory on top, where elementary students a decade ago would gaze in wonder at the heavens.

Looks like a decent place to store rice. Or soybeans. That dome is a good start on a silo.

[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . https://jdrachel.com ]


Life In Japan: School Lunch | John Rachel

Success Story! Black Man Beats The Odds

With the nation so divided along the lines of both class and race, driven to the streets to protest the election to the presidency of a rancorous bigot and self-serving sociopath, it's heartening to see any African-American rise up over the historically endemic racism which used to have him hanging at the end of a rope, and even now conspires to keep most of his brothers and sisters in both physical and psychological gulags. 

The phrase 'systemic racism' was at least uttered once in passing -- that I know of -- by the white patriarchy's candidate of choice, Hillary Clinton, during the presidential campaign.  This was heralded as a real breakthrough in our national conversation about race. I guess that means that by today's standards, Hillary Clinton now sits next to Rosa Parks in the tortured struggle for human rights.

Even with the bar set so low, we are prompted seek out sources of inspiration and hope.  As luck would have it, we have one such success story right at our fingertips!

Just look at these photos of the opulent $5.3 million mansion President Obama will move his family into after Donald Trump takes the oath of office.




Granted, not every African-American was so favored during Obama's presidency.

Some of those left out of this historic uptick in the fortunes of our very first black president included Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner.  They were among thousands of blacks -- mostly males and often unarmed -- gunned downed by police across America during Obama's reign.

And the people over at Black Lives Matter still seem to be having some sort of hissy fit!  You'd think they could just put aside whatever is bothering them and vicariously enjoy the new digs Barak, Michelle, and the kids will be moving into in January.  Not to mention the million-dollar book deals, the courtesy vacation junkets all over the globe, and of course, the $200,000 speaking fees that the ex-Prez can expect to pull in, to keep the family outfitted in Autographed Nike Air Jordans.

Then you have Jeffrey Sterling, the whistleblower who was prosecuted on dubious grounds for testifying to Congress, then allegedly providing classified material to journalist James Risen about a dicey covert CIA operation gone awry.  Apparently now federal jailers are trying to kill him by depriving him of much-needed medical care.

The 23% of African Americans who still live below the official poverty line didn't do so well either.  Plus it appears the gravy train just sped right on by the 20% of black folks who are still unemployed, despite putting their best foot forward in an effort to take advantage of the widely touted economic recovery from the 2008 crash, which trashed their savings, and put many of them out on the street to live among the rats.

Jeez, Louise!

Can't all these folks stop grousing and just bask in some black dude trickle-down success?

What's wrong with everyone?



[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . http://jdrachel.com ]



Success Story! Black Man Beats The Odds