Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1742/

Her definition of Nikkei

For me being a Nikkei is a mixture of taking the best of both worlds, and combining them together, and the values honesty, and integrity, and respect, and family. Even though the family portion is very strong, and solid in both sides, the Colombian sides of family is very important. So is in the Japanese side. Family's very important. But I think also, but the culturally, the fun, and the mischief, and gaiety I think comes from the Colombian culture more than the Japanese culture. Even though I can't say Colombians also are very hardworking, very resourceful, they're just like jerry rig anything out of necessity. Third world countries have that spirit of creativity, and ingenuity just fixing problems with however you can. All those things just get combined in being Nikkei you just take from both, but at the same time you're neither. You are a perfect blend of both, but you aren't neither of them.


Colombia Hawaii identity Japanese Americans Japanese Colombians Nikkei United States

Date: September 22, 2019

Location: California, US

Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Monica Teisher was born in Cali, Colombia in 1974 to an Issei father and Nisei mother. She and her large extended family were active in the Cali Japanese community, the largest in Colombia. She moved to the United States after marrying a U.S. citizen of Eastern European Jewish descent. They and their daughters spend vacation time in Colombia, participating in community events. (May 2020)

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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Kip Fulbeck
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Fulbeck,Kip

The right to say who you are

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Alfredo Kato
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Kato,Alfredo

What does Nikkei mean to you? (Spanish)

(b. 1937) Professional journalist

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Alfredo Kato
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Kato,Alfredo

Peru Shimpo for the Nikkei community (Spanish)

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Kristi Yamaguchi
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Yamaguchi,Kristi

Support from the Japanese American community

(b.1971) Professional figure skater and Olympic gold medalist.

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Lorraine Bannai
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Bannai,Lorraine

Heightened awareness of identity as a Japanese American

(b. 1955) Lawyer

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Dale Minami
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Minami,Dale

Reasons for conformity and competitiveness in Gardena, California

(b. 1946) Lawyer

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Dale Minami
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Minami,Dale

Reflections on the importance of history

(b. 1946) Lawyer

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Johnnie Morton
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Morton,Johnnie

Growing up and identity

(b.1971) Professional football player.

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Mako Nakagawa
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Nakagawa,Mako

Message for future generations

(1937 - 2021) Teacher

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Chiye Tomihiro
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Tomihiro,Chiye

Don’t Make Waves

Chaired the Chicago JACL's Redress Committee.

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Chiye Tomihiro
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Tomihiro,Chiye

What to Do Next

Chaired the Chicago JACL's Redress Committee.

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Roberto Hirose
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Hirose,Roberto

From the "middle" Nikkei (Spanish)

(b. 1950) Nisei Chilean, Businessman

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