Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/685/

Message for future generations

I think, basically, we have to really make darn sure we teach every single child to be proud of who they are. And that means their color, their sexual orientation, their economics, that they're handicapped, whatever; but the essential essence of who they are are on the inside. It's their character, it's their lovingness, it's their sense of beauty. These are things that make you a beautiful person, not any of the outside things. So be true to who you are on the outside and nurture that and be proud of that. We need to teach that to every single kid, every single person, that you are a lovable, cherishable, beautiful human being. I think if we keep constantly—I think the reason why you're a nice person is because somebody loved you before you deserved to be loved. You know? And I think that's the kind of message we need to understand first, that I am a worthy person. I can contribute and make somebody else happy and make this world a little better place.


identity

Date: May 27, 1998

Location: Washington, US

Interviewer: Lori Hoshino

Contributed by: Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.

Interviewee Bio

Nisei female. Born February 1937 in Seattle, Washington. Spent prewar childhood in Seattle. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington; Minidoka incarceration camp, Idaho; and Crystal City internment camp, Texas. In postwar years, became a teacher, principal, and multicultural specialist for Washington State's Superintendent of the Office of Public Instruction. Developed and directed the Japanese American Cultural Heritage Program and the Rainbow Program, one of the first multiethnic educational programs in the country. She passed away on April 4, 2021 at age 84. (July 2021)

Enson Inoue
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Inoue,Enson

Ring name: "Yamato Damashi"

(b. 1967) Hawai`i-born professional fighter in Japan

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Jero  (Jerome Charles White Jr.)
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(Jerome Charles White Jr.),Jero

Getting on Kohaku (Japanese)

(b. 1981) Enka Singer

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Enson Inoue
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Inoue,Enson

Citizenship and identity

(b. 1967) Hawai`i-born professional fighter in Japan

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Early consciousness of identity

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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William Hohri
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Hohri,William

Importance of self-representation in legislation

(1927-2010) Political Activist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Finding parallels through art

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

The Hapa Project

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Francis Y. Sogi
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Sogi,Francis Y.

Defining the term Nikkei

(1923-2011) Lawyer, MIS veteran, founder of Francis and Sarah Sogi Foundation

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Perceptions of uniqueness

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Identity as a conscious ongoing process

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Lessons learned from The Hapa Project

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Japanese Americans are more aware of their Hapa identity

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Discomfort at being labeled by others

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Issues of identity outside of America

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

Imposing identity upon others

(b. 1965) filmmaker and artist

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