> The implication, of course, was that the Empire existed not for the benefit — economic or strategic or otherwise — of Britain, itself, but in order that primitive peoples, incapable of self-government, could, with British guidance, eventually become civilized (and Christianized) [1]
The author is either writing some kind of bad sarcasm or simple falling prey to the above kind of complex.
I don't want to assign motives but western civilization should learn that just because you don't understand other cultures that does not mean they are stupid, retarded or some how disadvantaged. Provide some data or it is just the prejudice. Japanese people have achieved a lot in short time in fact lot more than almost all their Asian peers. They have achieved this while using their language.
Author should have spent some time learning the Japanese culture and being one of them instead of being judgemental. Consider this line about Manga
> Young adults here read comic books for the same reason children do elsewhere: because they’re fun, funny, and not too hard. Sure, a few deal with “real” issues, but it’s not like we’re talking To Kill a Mockingbird. Who doesn’t like ninjas and pirates? No one in Japan, apparently.
Clearly the author is not familiar with manga culture and has not bothered to read one. I am from India, I have read Harry Potter, Song of Ice and Fire, Mahabharata, Ramayana and Death Note or Naruto. Japanese Manga and Anime both have significant depth, characters which have shades of gray and as an Asian I can relate with Manga characters and story themes lot better than Harry potter which I find too superficial.