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Ten Basic Facts Every Military Personel Should Know About Okinawa
1) Okinawa was not originally a part of Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom was seized by Japan in 1871, and made into a prefecture in 1879. For this, the consent of the Okinawan people was never asked for.
2) Ever since then, Okinawans have been discriminated against by Japanese. (If you are African-American, Asian-American, Latino, or Native American, you will know what this means).
3) Okinawans have never in their history had their lives made safer or more secure by military power. For example, the military bases built here by the pre-war Japanese government did not protect the people. On the contrary, it was because the bases were here that war came to Okinawa.
4) Though World War II was never Okinawa's war, its most terrible battle was fought here. In the Battle of Okinawa virtually every building in the central and southern part of the main island was destroyed, and one in three of the Okinawan people were killed. After this experience, the Okinawans can never be persuaded that military force is a protector of life.
5) After invading Okinawa, the U.S. military kept the islands as its own possession for 27 years. About 20% of the land was taken for U.S. bases. Okinawa was governed by the Pentagon. The Okinawan people were citizens of no country. Prostitution was kept legal for the convenience of the U.S. troops.
6) None of the land under the U.S. bases is owned by the United States. At first the U.S. simply seized this land and paid no rent, which is in violation of international law. In 1952, when the Peace Treaty with Japan was signed (which still left Okinawa in the hands of the U.S. military), the U.S. announced it would start paying rent to the landowners. But the rent was so small that most landowners refused it. Finally, after an "all-island struggle" in support of the landowners, the U.S. was forced to start paying decent rent. Yet even today many Anti-War Landowners refuse to sign rental contracts for their land which is under US control.
7) Though Okinawa comprises only 0.6% of all Japanese territory, 75% of all U.S. bases in Japan are in Okinawa. To the Okinawans, this is clear and direct discrimination, both by Japan and by the U.S.
8) In the more than half-century the U.S. has kept bases on Okinawa, the U.S. military has never protected the Okinawans against any foreign invader, real or imagined. Rather, if Okinawa is attacked, it will be because the U.S. bases are here. Moreover, the U.S. military has been unable to protect the Okinawan people against itself. For example, since Okinawa's reversion to Japan in 1972, well over 100 women and girls have been raped by GIs. (This is only the number of reported rapes; in Okinawa as in the U.S., most women who are raped never report it). And the number steadily continues to increase.
9) The Okinawan people have never asked to have U.S. bases here. They have never been asked if they would consent to having U.S. bases here. They have never in any form given their consent to the U.S. bases being here. On the contrary, they have struggled against the bases for decade after decade, but their wishes have been ignored by the government of the U.S. and Japan.
10) The U.S. and Japan say the military bases they keep here protect the Okinawans from invasion. But the only countries in history ever to invade Okinawa have been the U.S. and Japan.
A WARNING TO ALL MILITARY PERSONELS
If you have been dreaming of raping an Okinawan woman, give up the idea.
Now.
Maybe some US military old-timer has told you about the "good old days" in Okinawa when GIs could get away with anything.
Maybe you have heard that in Okinawa, GI rapists (usually) don't get caught, because the woman (usually) won't go to the police.
Whether these "good old days" ever really existed is not what matters.
What matters to you is, that's not how it is now.
That woman you are dreaming of raping is prepared to go directly to the police.
That means, you will be caught and thrown into jail. And that will put an end to your "bright future".
In addition, we want you to understand clearly what "rape" is, under the law.
If you rape a woman you are on a date with, it is still rape.
If you rape a woman who has flirted with you, it is still rape.
If you rape a woman who has had a few drinks, it is still rape.
If you rape a woman who is wearing clothes that look (to you) sexy,
it is still rape.
In short, rape and consensual sex are totally, utterly, absolutely, and decisively different. If you don't understand the difference, you had better stay away from any woman until you do.
Finally, we urge you to watch yourself.
For even if you don't, we will.
THE RED CARD MOVEMENT
The Red Card Movement is not against Americans,
nor is it intended to discriminate against any individuals.
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