RE: Hinkaku - It isn't the same as xenophobia!

["Pardoe, Richard (prdr)" <PRDR@chevron.com>]

> ----------
> From: 	A. Strader & G. Monaghan[SMTP:monaghan@apsicc.aps.EDU]
> "Hinkaku" is means roughly "dignity."  There are those of us who think
> it might be exactly the opposite of "gaijin."
> 
I frankly don't like the implications that hinkaku is automatically tied
to xenophobia by the Japanese.  We apply the same standards for many of
our people:

Our presidental candidates must have a certain dignity (or) propriety to
be considered for the office (remember Gary Hart).  Look at the recent
example of the judge who was a rising star (considered to be a certain
nominee to the supreme court) and had an impeccable record on the bench,
but was caught in a lie about the shooting death of his brother.  Isn't
this akin to hinkaku (or lack thereof) where his upward promotion was
de-railed because of his lack of propriety.  Finally, look at Pete Rose
- some would argue he is/was a superstar in baseball, yet because of his
gambling (or getting caught at it) he was banned from the sport.

In each instance, the persons record or achievements didn't matter.
What mattered was the person's propriety / demeanor / dignity.  So to be
fair, this qualtity of hinkaku is applied more widely than just by the
Sumo Kyokai.

And just because it was applied to Konishiki - it isn't automatically
xenophobic, despite appearances.  Don't fall into the trap of thinking:
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it
must be a duck.  I would respond: Just becuase someone walks like a
doctor, talks like a doctor, and dresses like a doctor - would you let
them operate on you?

R.Pardoe