In progressive society, the idea that American greatness is something to be proud of is often shunned or seen as insensitive to other cultural identities. We are frequently told that the United States has for the most part, caused global chaos by its interventionist policies that lead to starvation, corruption and perpetual war. However, we should always listen to these talking points with an objective vision.
America has not been a nation of oppression, contrary to popular belief, it’s actually done a great deal of good for the world. Take a post WWII world as a case study into so called American imperialism. Following the August 6th, 1945 nuclear bomb usage in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the United States established an occupational and rehabilitation force in Japan. The force worked under leadership from allied commanders and more specifically General Douglas MacArthur. The occupation lasted from 1945 to 1952, and during this period of time Japan underwent massive rehabilitation. To this day, Japan honors the legacy of MacArthur, with monuments and memorials. Critical historians should consider the fact that the United States allowed the Emperor to retain his position in Japan, something which to the Japanese, was seen as extremely gracious. Emperor Hirohito worked directly with MacArthur and he agreed to put japan back on its feet in 1945.
General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito
MacArthur is seen as a Shogun for many Japanese, and a liberator. These aren’t simply opinions, but rather corroborated statements by the people who lived under his handiwork. One simple example of how the Japanese felt about MacArthur is from George Kizaki, a member of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, and whose own family was placed in US internment camps. Kizaki worked as an interpreter after he was drafted in 1946, and eventually directly under MacArthur. He saw changes in Japan throughout the years and was witness to MacArthur’s sleepless nights and tireless work for the people of Japan. Kizaki saw the general as a leader, not a racist or oppressor. In today’s world, leaders like MacArthur have faded, and the image of America has changed on the global stage.
Margret Shapiro with the Washington Post wrote this as one of the workers from the former Dai-Ichi executive office spoke. The office is privately owned, but recently opened up the room which MacArthur operated out of in honor of his work.
“Americans regard MacArthur as a conqueror of Japan but the Japanese did not take him that way. He was a liberator. Japanese regarded MacArthur as the highest human being, just below god,…”
-Rinjiro Sodei
Traces of American liberation are seen in everyday life throughout Japan, and their appreciation for America is far different from the American perspective on what happened post WWII. However, Japan isn’t the only place where post-war American leadership is respected and admired as a liberation force.
In the Philippines, monuments are scattered throughout the nation, remembering the brave men who sought to free the people from tyranny. Americans were once again seen as liberators, not oppressors. The Leyte Landing (1944) monument is just one example of the respect the Philippines still have to this day.
While many people in this world see MacArthur’s impact as liberation, there are an increasing number who do not. In American academic institutions, the work of our nations leaders is diminished and portrayed as an aggressive oppressive racist force. Students are frequently told that holding a belief which gives America value could be inherently racist and culturally insensitive. As college history departments retain a liberal bias of 12:1, students aren’t likely to hear any good things about MacArthur or anyone else for that matter. Over the past few decades, the United States presence abroad has become more of a convenience and utility rather than a privilege. The United nations voted 128-9 against the sovereign action of the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem. How quickly does the world forget that we were the nation which brought them freedom and peace? The United Nations itself, was an invention of American ingenuity to broker a more peaceful world.
In 2017 much of the world has chosen to disregard and challenge the work of America, and in doing so, have undermined our historical significance to those very same nations. It would behoove foreign leaders to consider our work to ensure freedom abroad. The fact that peace remains so stable in this world is not thanks to United Nations referendums, but the watchful eye of America’s military, keeping our world from tearing itself apart.
Sincerely,
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