A Japanese American police officer killed himself today after 18 years of service

[ColinC]

Last edited Mon Aug 2, 2021, 06:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Many of us Japanese Americans, even in the younger generations, dedicated ourselves to public service and joined the military or became police officers-at least in part because of the skepticism, bigotry, distrust and disdain that our country had for us years prior. It was in many ways their way of saying "we love this country too and are as much a part of defending it as you are regardless of what you did to our friends and family for what we look like." For me, I joined the military in part because I wanted to prove to -at least myself, that my Japanese and German heritage does not make me "The axis powers," like my peers as a child would like me to believe.

Gunther Hashida, however, did prove he was a patriot, gave his life to protecting his country from terrorism, and is exponentially a better person than every piece of shit that tried to kill him on 1/6, but succeeded today. May he rest in peace, and may we bring justice to him and to everybody who continues to protect our country.

[hlthe2b]

1. I am devastated by yet another suicide linked to 01/06

and even more so, given the likelihood that racism, bigotry, and hate may have directly driven this man to take his own life.

May there be peace in the next realm for this poor haunted man. May there be comfort for his familly.

[Generic Other]

2. He felt dishonored

I mourn for his pain. I honor his memory.

[bottomofthehill]

3. He was a hero

He saw that our Democracy was under attack and responded to the Capitol. Was forced into a Mid-Evil battle on the West Front of the USCapitol. Attacked by his fellow countrymen and women.

He is a hero who fought to save Democracy.

[Generic Other]

19. Japanese sense of shame is slightly different than in the West

I agree he was a hero, but how long can a person bear being blamed, denigrated, and treated like they deserved to be shamed by the GOP Congresspeople they were sworn to protect, that they were unable to protect, that they were set up to be harmed by. Many of those Capitol police officers were no doubt even Republicans themselves. So add betrayal to the mix, the refusal of GOP to even vote to honor their service. So many ugly repercussions from that day weighed heavily on the ones who suffered the most that day.

I always wondered why this did not happen more often when the US incarcerated so many during WW2.

[MustLoveBeagles]

4. ...

[UTUSN]

5. Cannot fathom all three.

[Escurumbele]

9. Neither can I...Why commit suicide? They had to know the criminals may take it as a win.

Why let them win?

[blogslug]

10. That's not how it works

I hope you are never brought so low as to consider ending it all.

[smirkymonkey]

13. +1000

[Hekate]

11. I can think of so many contributing factors from 1/6, such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury...

You may have noticed that one of the 4 police officers who testified has that distinctive “thousand-yard stare.”

[USALiberal]

15. Self delete! Nt

[USALiberal]

16. Self delete! Nt

[UTUSN]

17. Our hearts just go blank

[orangecrush]

6. And most of those cowards being sentenced

Are getting slaps on the wrists.


Disgusting, and an insult to the memory of this brave man.

[pazzyanne]

7. Thank you, Gunther Hashida!

Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens are in your debt for saving democracy on January 6, 2021. I only wish you had recieved the appreciation you so richly deserved for your service to this country that horrible day. My heart is heavy for the solution you chose to deal with your pain. Rest in peace for your job well done.

[Generic Other]

20. Hear Hear!

あなたの英雄をありがとう
Anata no eiyū o arigatō

Thank you for your heroism.

[Escurumbele]

8. I don't get it and I may never get it, but why commit suicide? Did they leave a letter behind?

Why???

[ColinC]

14. I can't say for sure, but I imagine the physical and psychological damage incurred from that day

alone, could be enough to drive somebody to suicide. Regardless of why, he gave his life to defending our democracy and died a hero.

[KatK]

12. Extremely sad about this, and would rather pray, honor and empathize than ask "why did he do it?"

What courage Hashida and the others showed on our behalf and for our country. I am so very sad to hear of his passing.

I am really uncomfortable with questioning "Why did these patriots take their own lives after January 6?"

May I recommend instead an internet search on the general topic of "why suicide"? Or maybe empathy for all the different sorts of pain this person has endured, before, during, and after January 6? You can also listen to survivors of the attack who've spoken out about the pain and trauma of their experience, and of how shocked and angry they are to be treated so callously afterward.

In this time and in this place where Hashida is being informally memorialized and his fellow officers remembered, I would love it if we could focus on mourning, honoring, and sending prayers to surviving friends, workmates, and family who must endure this loss along with the horribleness of the Jan 6th deniers and the absence of full support from Washington politicians.

Echoing original poster ColinC, "May he rest in peace, and may we bring justice to him and to everybody who continues to protect our country."

Thank you for hearing me on this. I really get being curious. It just stings right now so I thought I'd say a few words.

[CaptainTruth]

18. Trump supporters are enemies of America.

They all need to be driven out of our country.