I usually awkwardly laughed it off or changed the subject, but the question continued to bother me. What did it mean for me to have one interpretation of an event and the people of my host country to have basically the opposite?
Overall, I have learned to respect and acknowledge the opinions of from others regarding our shared history. Representing two sides of the same story, we are sure to differ in our recollection and understanding of what occurred and what the past means for our present and our future. Allowing myself to take part in these discussions has allowed me to increase my understanding of others as well as myself. As a result, I am becoming increasingly comfortable when confronted with difficult topics.
