Lost Names

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I really liked this story, but I wasn't certain whether it was an oral history or a short story that used the historical events. The writing style seems so current ( I suppose that could be the translation). However the date at the end of the story is February 11, 1940, which seems about the correct time for that to have happened - according to my notes from today's lecture.

[Anonymous]

'Lost Names"

This was a moving story from a child's perspective about losses he doesn't fully understand but still feels. For this reason (told from a child's perspective), I think my students would really like this story. Although I teach Science, I read aloud to my kids at different times for our 20 min daily Sustained Silent Reading. I do this especially toward the end of the year in an attempt to draw kids into reading who have tenaciously refused to read all year. Any story that the kids can relate to and want to hear is a valuable teacher resource!

[Anonymous]

I totally agree that students show more interest in a subject when you include stories of young people. I find that to be true in the study of history and that's why I always try to include stories about the young people who experienced the time we happen to be studying. This story would be a great addition to the tenth grade curriculum both when we look at WWII events and later when we focus on a region for a more in depth study. The way that I would use this would be to create a character collage. I would try to find other stories of young people who experienced loss of some kind, now I think of it, it wouldn't necessarilly need to be during the same time period, but would have different students read different excerpts and create this collage. The collage is just ideas about what the person feels, what they are thinking what they hear etc...

[Anonymous]

This was an interesting story that I will read to my students. Being that they're in the seventh grade, I will probably do a lot of tugging to get them to understand the underlying meaning of losing one's name. I can also connect this to Africans losing their names after being brought to America as slaves and how that impacts them now in current society.

[Anonymous]

A really great reading. I didn't know Koreans were forced to change their names, language and culture. For some reason I believed colonization and the extreme actions only occurred in the old past and not modern times. My kids will like this reading, when ever they read a piece from a child/teenager perspective it gravitates toward them, it makes more sense. Aside from using this reading for historical purposes, I can see the powerful impact if used in an identity unity.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed the story as well. I didn't realize that Koreans were force to change their names during Japenes occupation either. It really struck a nerve with me because I was reminded how the American slave owners had the African slaves change their names when they were brought over to America. I was happy to learn that Korean people did keep their names and it was only the Japanese name for "public" use.

[Anonymous]

This article did show very interesting insight into the lives of children during this time in Korea. I especially like the part about the rice and how he was ashamed to have more than the other children. I want to read this to my students so they can discuss the differences in how they would feel in that situation.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what to say about this article. It is more of just a feeling that you can relate to them and feel sorry for them having to change their name. A last name means a lot to a person. It is how you can retrace your heritage and find out who you are and where you came from. It is embarrassing having to just choose a name from a list in order to conform to a society that certain people are trying to create and they don't encompass your past or traditions.

[Anonymous]

I will also use it with my students. I think it is important to for students to understand the struggles that other people have been through. This helps them appriciate what they have and it will also help so history doesn't repeat itself.

[Anonymous]

To bring this issue of identity further, we can talk about the issue of changing your name willingly as a coming of age experience. I remember my second year teaching in Monrovia High School and one of my students, Wei Jin (I think that's his name), came to me and asked me for some advice on choosing his American name. He wanted something strong and masculine, I offered up Greg, but I think he chose the name Richard. We can also look at the assimilation of ethnic minorities and what happens with the passage of time.... First generations may not appreciate having their names changed but what would have happened had Korea remained a colony of Japan. Would there be the same feeling over losing the family name? We look at the US as the example, many minorities take on American English names, whether their parents gave it to them or not.

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