Authors such as Debito Arudou, Joan Morgan (author of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost), Roland Kelts (author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US) and Barry Lancet (author of Japantown) have praised McNeil's writing for its portrayal of racism in Japan and the U.S., and his depiction of life as a foreign teacher in Japan.
Karthaus was a co-plaintiff with Debito Arudou and Kenneth Sutherland in an anti-discrimination lawsuit against a hot spring (onsen) in Otaru, Japan, that refused entry to individuals with foreign appearance even if they were Japanese citizens.