UCSB Professors to Discuss How Japan and Germany Deal with Their History

Not since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 have the people of the United States experienced anything like the events that transpired on Sept. 11, 2001. And today, just as in 1941, Americans have come together in the spirit of national pride and patriotism.

However, the difference between now and 60 years ago is that today, the United States has strong economic and military alliances with both Germany and Japan. Does this relationship make it easier for Germany to reconcile its Nazi past? Have alliances with the United States made it impossible for Japan to deal with its imperialist history?

Two UC Santa Barbara professors, Harold Marcuse, of history, and Sabine Frühstück, of East Asian languages and cultural studies will team up Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss how these relationships may be re-writing history in the eyes of the people of Japan and Germany. The discussion is a town forum sponsored by the UCSB Affiliates to take place in the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara Street in Santa Barbara. The cost is $5 for members, $8 for non-members

Marcuse, a specialist on post-1945 Germany, will discuss how the Germans used resistance, myths and other tactics to avoid confronting the Nazi past. Frühstück will detail Japan's denial of its critical roles in World War II.

A social will take place prior to the program at 5:15 p.m. For reservations, contact the UCSB Office of Community Relations, (805) 893-4388.