Meaning: The quote you've provided is from Iris Chang, a renowned historian and author, known for her work on documenting and raising awareness about historical events, particularly those related to World War II and its aftermath in Asia. In this quote, Chang is addressing the lack of awareness and acknowledgment of certain atrocities, such as the comfort women system and the medical experiments conducted by Unit 731, in the collective consciousness of the United States.

The "comfort women" refer to the women and girls, often from countries occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army, who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II. This system of forced sexual slavery, which primarily targeted women from Korea, China, the Philippines, and other Asian countries, has been a subject of significant historical and political controversy. The experiences of these women, who endured unimaginable suffering and trauma, have often been overlooked or marginalized in mainstream narratives of the war.

Unit 731, on the other hand, was a covert biological and chemical warfare research and development unit of the Imperial Japanese Army that undertook human experimentation during the war. The unit conducted inhumane and often fatal experiments on prisoners of war and civilians, including vivisection, frostbite testing, and testing of biological weapons. The atrocities committed by Unit 731 have been described as some of the most egregious war crimes in modern history.

Chang's assertion that these aspects of history were not ingrained in the US psyche reflects a broader issue of historical awareness and education. The dominant narratives of World War II in the United States have traditionally focused on the European theater and the Holocaust, often overlooking or downplaying the experiences of Asian nations and the specific atrocities they suffered during the war.

However, Chang also notes that this lack of awareness is changing, in part due to the efforts of historians, scholars, and authors who have brought attention to these lesser-known aspects of World War II. She mentions the publication of "many books" as a significant factor in this shift. Indeed, in recent years, there has been a growing body of literature and scholarship devoted to shedding light on the comfort women system, Unit 731, and other overlooked aspects of the war in the Pacific.

Chang herself contributed to this effort with her groundbreaking book "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II," which brought international attention to the massacre and atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Nanking, China, in 1937-1938. Her work not only documented these events but also sparked public discourse and debate about the responsibility to remember and reckon with such historical traumas.

In conclusion, Iris Chang's quote highlights the importance of confronting and acknowledging the full scope of historical atrocities, even those that may not have received the same level of attention or recognition in mainstream historical narratives. By bringing these hidden or marginalized histories to light, scholars and authors play a vital role in challenging collective memory and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the past. As awareness grows, there is an opportunity for greater empathy, understanding, and a commitment to learning from the mistakes of history to build a more just and compassionate future.

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