Silencing Identity through Communication : Situated Enactments of Sexual Identity and Emotion in Japan

ISBN-13: 9783639103090 / Niemiecki / Miękka / 2009 / 372 str.

Max Saito

Opis

This book explores the ways in which "ordinary"heterosexual people habitually (and without malice) make homosexualpeople invisible in ordinary communication processes in Japanesecommunities in Japan and the U.S. I raise the question: What are thescenes and communication practices in and through whichhomosexuality becomes invisible or irrelevant to identification ofthe self? First, I explore the communicative style of being ordinary, in and through which heterosexuals habitually enact a complete lackof awareness of homosexuals. Second, while addressing Japanesesilence and indirect and ambiguous communication practices, Iexamine a direct mode of Japanese communication called speaking straightforwardly. Third, I analyze culturalpremises regarding social and emotional selves associated with beingordinary and speaking straightforwardly. Fourth, I describe asilencing form of communication which cultivates gut-level discomfortand fear of homosexuals. Fifth, I analyze Japanese heterosexualmale-centered lovemaking scenes in ero-manga which providepossible sources of misunderstanding between males, females,and male homosexuals.

O autorze

Max Saito is on the Communication faculty at Westfield State
College. He is interested
in the ways in which individual actions, feelings and world views
are interconnected
with both domestic and international issues. He enjoys learning
from his students as
well as his four children, whom he homeschools in Massachusetts
with his wife
Loran.