Posted by INTRUDN on May 23, 2000 at 08:32:56:
It was the first day of school and a new student,
the son of a Japanese businessman, entered the
fourth grade. The teacher greeted the class and
said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American
history. Who said "Give me Liberty, or give me
death?" She saw only a sea of blank faces, except
for that of Toshiba, who had his hand up.
"Patrick Henry, 1775," said Toshiba.
"Now," said the teacher, "Who said 'Government
of the people, by the people, for the people shall
not perish from the earth?" Again, no response
except from Toshiba:
"Abraham Lincoln, 1863."
The teacher snapped at the class, "You should
be ashamed. Toshiba, who is new to our country,
knows more about it than you do." As she turned
to write something on the blackboard, she heard
a loud whisper: "Damned Japanese."
"Who said that?" she demanded.
Toshiba put his hand up. "Harley-Davidson, 1972."