Regarding Roger Pulvers' Aug. 17 article, "There's a lot to learn from the life and times of Beate Sirota Gordon": Thank you for an inspiring article! I had read about Beate Sirota Gordon in her book, "The Only Woman in the Room," which moved me to actually read the full Japanese Constitution in English -- about a 30-minute project.
This amazing document struck me as an original creation unique to Japan, regardless of whose hand was holding the pen. How wonderful to be guaranteed the right to lead a cultured life, to have work, to receive health care!
I think the Constitution turned out so well partly because, as Pulvers pointed out, Sirota immersed herself in Japanese life and made friends with those around her. I got the impression that she paid attention to what she saw and did what she could to make Japan a happier place. And she was only in her 20s!
These days Japanese twentysomethings are free to travel the world and, unlike their parents, seem able to speak the world's languages as fluently as Sirota spoke Japanese. I hope they read articles like Pulvers' and be inspired to do what they can to make our world a happier place through friendship and keen observation of the needs of the people closest to them.
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