No-No Boy Social Sensitivity

No-No Boy Social Sensitivity

No-No Boy forces readers to examine the issue of racial inequality. The racial tensions experienced between Okada's Japanese and American characters (or those who label them as such) closely parallels the racial tensions experienced today between blacks and whites. The message is disturbing, because Okada's book paints a negative portrayal of America. It brings to the surface the prevalent idea that many Americans largely ignore racial injustice and often discount class divisions, resulting in hypocritical viewpoints. If America welcomes immigrants into the country, why do Americans treat the Japanese and other racial minorities as second-class citizens? If America is the land of opportunity, why do these minorities have difficulty acquiring high-paying jobs?

Okada's book is about civil rights, and civil rights for all people of any race living in America. The writing of No-No Boy coincided with civil rights campaigns run by African Americans who suffered the same...
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