'Never Again Is Now': Japanese-American Theater Group Finds New Relevance Supporting Muslims - NBC News

my article for NBC Asian America re Grateful Crane Ensemble

'Never Again Is Now': Japanese-American Theater Group Finds New Relevance Supporting Muslims - NBC News

Film to Imagine Muslim Americans Interned Under Trump Administration - NBC News

My article for NBC Asian America

"As descendants of people who were in internment camps, I always tell my son that we have a moral responsibility to make sure that it never happens to anyone else ever again," writer and producer Koji Steven Sakai, who is also a former executive at the Japanese American National Museum, told NBC News. "'Executive Order 13800' is my opportunity to remind my country what happened 75 years ago to ensure we don't make the same mistake with another marginalized community."

Film to Imagine Muslim Americans Interned Under Trump Administration - NBC News

'War Brides of Japan' To Take Focus in New Documentary - NBC News

my article for nbc asian america on Yayoi Winfrey's documentary!

"Japanese 'war brides' were our very sweet and loving mothers who accepted their former enemies as their spouses; then, raised their children in a country that was often hostile towards them," wrote Winfrey on the film's fundraising page. "Yet, they persevered. At the very least, we owe them recognition for allowing their love to transcend war and hate."

'War Brides of Japan' To Take Focus in New Documentary - NBC News

Happy Obon Season!

The First Multiracial Miss Universe Japan Has Been Crowned - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America re first multiracial hapa Miss Universe Japan, Ariana Miyamoto

"In a country where the majority of fashion beauty magazines and TV shows are reigned by 'hāfu' models and actors," filmmaker and co-director of the film "Hafu," Lara Perez Takagi told NBC News, "It was actually about time that a mixed-race Japanese girl won the Miss Universe pageant."

The First Multiracial Miss Universe Japan Has Been Crowned - NBC News.com

Push Continues to Make Fred Korematsu Day A National Holiday - NBC News.com

I got a quote from Asian America's Uncle George Takei! for my article for NBC News Asian America

"Fred Korematsu Day not only honors a great man, but also reminds us about our fragile democracy, which is only as strong as our the adherence to our constitutional principles," said Asian American actor and civil rights activist George Takei

Push Continues to Make Fred Korematsu Day A National Holiday - NBC News.com

WWII Stories From Japanese Americans Captured in New Book - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America

This is not a book about life in the camps. Rather, this is a book about the Constitution, freedom, and the triumph of Japanese Americans as a community during a time of racial prejudice and wartime hysteria. It is semi-autobiographical, and tells Mori's personal stories as well as those told to him—from the young Nisei men who tried to enlist and found that they had been reclassified as "enemy aliens ineligible for service," to those who sought redress after the war to make sure this would never happen to anyone else again.

WWII Stories From Japanese Americans Captured in New Book - NBC News.com

Sweet Treats: Mochi Making at Family-Owned Koda Farms - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America on Mochitsuki!

The small, pounded rice cakes -- eaten as a sweet dessert and enjoyed as a way to preserve rice through the year -- are easy for most urbanites in Japan to find at their corner mochi shop. But for many Japanese Americans, making mochi the old fashioned way offers a chance to connect with their heritage, teach their children about cultural traditions, and make enough mochi to last the year.

Sweet Treats: Mochi Making at Family-Owned Koda Farms - NBC News.com

Asian American History on Display at 2015 Rose Parade - NBC News.com

Are you out there on Colorado Blvd this morning? My Article for NBC Asian America:

The morning of January first ushers in new year, and with it, the 126th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade, a New Year's morning tradition dating back to 1890 and reaching 50 million viewers, including many who have camped out all night along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, and many more across the country who will watch on their television sets. This year's theme is "Inspiring Stories," and several groups have looked to Asian-American history and cultures for stories and inspiration. These are the floats to look out for in 2015.

Asian American History on Display at 2015 Rose Parade - NBC News.com

Lava Flow Threatens Century-Old Japanese-American Community - NBC News.com

"I've had to help my friend’s parents move out of their home in Pahoa...I have great memories there, so sad to think of what will happen.” Did you know 100 years ago Pahoa was a largely Japanese American town? Check out the historic photos. Thanks Sam Horiuchi! My article for NBC News Asian America.
Lava Flow Threatens Century-Old Japanese-American Community - NBC News.com

Seattle's Mikado Theater Outrage Turned Into Arts Opportunity - NBC News.com

My article on the Race and the Arts forum post Seattle Mikado:

“You have artistic freedom, but the audience can also tell you what they think of it," said panelist Roger Tang of the Asian American Theater Review. "If you do a half-ass job directing, you will hear about it. And you should.”

Seattle's Mikado Theater Outrage Turned Into Arts Opportunity - NBC News.com

The Untold Story: Japanese-Americans' WWII Internment in Hawaii - NBC News.com

My article at NBCNews.com Asian America

The tours are a result of a recent study, authorized by Congress, of 17 internment sites in Hawaii. The report made several recommendations for historic preservation, including officially incorporating Honouliuli Internment Camp on Oahu into the National Park System as a National Historic Site or National Monument.

The Untold Story: Japanese-Americans' WWII Internment in Hawaii - NBC News.com

Spamalot

gotta love Hawaii...

'Die Hard' and 'The Crimson Kimono' Actor James Shigeta Dies - NBC News.com

thinking of James Shigeta. I taught flower drum song last semester. my article at nbc news.

'Die Hard' and 'The Crimson Kimono' Actor James Shigeta Dies - NBC News.com


UPDATE: And here's a great article by my friend Jeff Yang in WSJ:
How the Late James Shigeta Changed the Image of Asian American Men - Speakeasy - WSJ

UPDATE 2: And here's another great article by Hansi Lo Wang at NPR
James Shigeta 'Led The Way' For Asian-American Lovers On Screen : Code Switch : NPR

Korematsu Day in the Japanese newspaper

Japan News Club, March 2014, re Korematsu Day in Michigan, which was held January 30, 2014:

CAPAC and JANM Commemorate Fred Korematsu Day

Great quotes from our elected officials about the importance of remembering Fred Korematsu and commemorating Korematsu Day.
CAPAC Commemorates Fred Korematsu Day | Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa

Some great ideas from Japanese American National Museum on ways teachers can commemorate Fred Korematsu's stand for civil liberties!

Fred #KorematsuDay 2014 | FIRST & CENTRAL

and I simply love this photograph from San Jose. from korematsuinstitute.org.

#KorematsuDay 2014 Across the Country

Look at all the events held on #KorematsuDay 2014 Across the Country. So proud to be a part!

Michigan Korematsu Program 2014

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) are pleased to recognize national civil rights hero Fred Korematsu on Thursday, January 30, 2014, 12:30 p.m., at Huron High School, Ann Arbor, and to share with Huron students details of the World War II Japanese American internment experience and the landmark civil rights case Korematsu v. United States.

Korematsu Program 2014

Dr. Arthur Williams	Principal, Huron High School, Moderator
Matthew Wesaw	Director, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, presentation of the Governor’s Special Tribute, Fred Korematsu, A National Civil Rights Hero
Jamie Hsu, Ph.D.	Chair, Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC)
Video documentary	“Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOGSnx2k7b8)
Ron Aramaki	Lecturer, A/PIA History and Law, University of Michigan and University of Michigan-Dearborn; activist in redress movement
Roland Hwang	Commissioner, MAPAAC; founding member American Citizens for Justice; Adjunct Instructor, A/PIA History and Law, University of Michigan and University of Michigan-Dearborn
Mary Kamidoi	Treasurer, Japanese American Citizens League-Detroit; Treasurer, American Citizens for Justice; former internee at Rohwer Internment Camp
Hao Hao	Student, Huron High School (with writer activist Frances Kai-Hwa Wang)
Questions, Discussion

• For more information about this landmark Supreme Court case, check out the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education korematsuinstitute.org.
• More about Korematsu Day commemorations across the country at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgtAIQZUB6g
• White House statement about Fred Korematsu: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/01/honoring-fred-korematsu
• Japanese American Citizens League http://www.jacl.org
• Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission https://www.facebook.com/miapaac and http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/0,1607,7-138-58275_54859---,00.html
• Michigan Department of Civil Rights www.michigan.gov/mdcr
• Further resources and follow-up media coverage will be aggregated at www.franceskaihwawang.com

Thanks to the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education for providing teaching materials and curriculum resources to the students of Huron High School.

From the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on Korematsu

Official Media Advisory from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on Korematsu:

Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the Michigan

Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission to

Recognize Fred Korematsu

At Huron High School on January 30, 2014

Lansing—The Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) will recognize and honor Fred Korematsu on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 12:30 pmat Huron High School, 2727 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor. 

Attendance at the event is by invitation only, however members of the news media are welcome to attend. 

Japanese American Fred Korematsu is an American civil liberties icon. Born on January 30, 1919, he courageously defied the US Government’s order to report to an assembly center after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Korematsu was convicted for his refusal but appealed his case all the way to the US Supreme Court, which ruled against him in a 6-3 decision in 1944.

After World War II, Korematsu moved to Michigan. His conviction was formally vacated on November 10, 1983 by US District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel based upon information that the War Department misled the Supreme Court with false allegations of espionage and sabotage.

Fred Korematsu’s story is one of triumph over the civil wrongs committed against the Japanese American community following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Korematsu was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1998.

Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director Matt Wesaw will read a Certificate of Recognition signed by Governor Snyder at this event. A panel of speakers including MAPAAC Chair Dr. Jamie Hsu, Commissioner Roland Hwang, Mary Kamidoi, Ron Aramaki and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang will discuss the Japanese American internment experience, Korematsu v. United States, and the post-911 world.

To learn more about the Commission and the Department of Civil Rights, please visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr.

Karen Korematsu on Korematsu Day

From Karen Korematsu about Korematsu Day. Showing this to my students tomorrow.