Silence is equally as powerful as noise. The absence of conversation in regards to trauma perpetuates as deeply as a million books. When victims become silenced, stories and experiences that are pivotal to the creation of a history are left behind. The lack of genuine and vivid memories curated by victims leads to a lack of understanding of the true extents of these traumas. Without half the story, how can someone truly re explain an event. Not only is an entire part of the story missing, an entire reality is taken away. The experiences and hardships that these victims faced are their own memories and have helped them developed their reality and understanding of the outer world. Silenced victims bring to the table stories of pain, suffering, and trauma, which are the most important in reflecting upon acts of horror or evil. In omitting the emotional context of an emotional event, how can we really begin to understand their personal story. Darkness can be equally as powerful as light, and silence can say as many things as a story can, you just have to listen closer.
We see throughout all forms of trauma the ongoing issue of silenced victims, whether it regards the masses who suffer trauma from Japanese internment, or victims of bullying and sexual harassment. As we study the portrayal memory and trauma in out ASTU class, we also explore the greater issue of silencing those who remember their traumas. Both pieces that we have analysed thus far in class have raised major questions for me and how victims come to be silenced in both micro and macro scenarios. Whether victims experience peer silencing through social media or social norms, or entire epidemics are hushed by reducing or discounting their traumatic stories there is an ongoing trend. Being able to experience the Kogawa fonds allowed the class to interpret and visualized the scrutinity that went into Kogawas works and publications. Her multiple drafts indicate the lengthy processes and her resilience in publishing her works, and it is clear that Kogawa implied suggested edits and changes that people had made. Moreover, the letters written to Kogawa demonstrate that her writing is profound and impactful to those that have been silenced from their own trauma. With other Canadians writing about the impact Kogawa’s writings had on them, it is clear that there are citizens who are curious to hear her melodic stories and experiences of trauma.
The fonds also shine light on victim silencing at an institutional level, and how Kogawa took extra measures to ensure that her story could be heard across the nation. In British Columbia schools, our secret and dark past is not told in classrooms, yet kept quiet for students to uncover in the future. Kogawa pushed past many different editors to share her story and ensure that Canadians were being taught what the institution was keeping from them. It is a powerful concept to have the ability to silence or provoke a story, and it is important to choose the right ones to hear.