In town, they would not sell to japs. why did mirikitani choose to use the word “japs” in the third line of this excerpt from “attack the water”? that is how she and her family referred to themselves. she needed fewer syllables to fit the rhythm of the poem. that was the derogatory term that others called her family. she wanted the poem to be an accurate portrayal of her family.

The right answer would be the third one: That was the derogatory term that others called her family.

The poem speaks about the reality of prisoners of war, and in this specific context, the japanese people in Vietnam, after the strategic destruction of dams around a local river.

The reason why they would not sell anything to them at the town, was because of the conflict that arose, which led them to be seen as enemies.  

2018 means 2018 ce or common era

there have been other eras too including bce, which included way more years.