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 the boy.
"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. "Lee Iacocca,
1982," he said.
