Embracing Our Nikkei Roots Via Southern Routes
If you’re a Japanese-American who lives on the East or West Coast, chances are, there are myriad ways to celebrate and nurture your Nikkei heritage with various festivals or celebrations, museum exhibits, trips to your local Japanese markets and restaurants, or through memberships in organizations such as the Japan Society or Japanese American Citizens League. But, what do you do if you grew up and live in the American South like my best friend Brenda and I? We are the daughters of Japanese mothers who married our Southern, U.S. soldier fathers in the aftermath of World War II. As Hapas, …