Stuff contributed by ctrooks

Nikkei Uncovered: a poetry column

Wonder

Curtiss Takada RooksMariko Fujimoto Rookstraci kato-kiriyama

To close out 2020 and recognize it as a time of challenge, reckoning and coming together, we are excited to end on a strong and beautiful note with this month's feature. We are happy to host the return to Nikkei Uncovered by Mariko Fujimoto Rooks and, this time, feature Mariko …

Reflections on Being Mixed, but Not Mixed Up

Curtiss Takada Rooks

My mother was Japanese. My father was Black (African American). My father was Black. My mother was Japanese. I am Black. I am Japanese. I am both. I am Japanese. I am Black. I am both. 

On Being Japanese American

Curtiss Takada Rooks

The U.S. military occupation of Japan following World War II resulted in the largest cohort of Japanese immigration of Japanese to the U.S. since the 1924 Immigration Act. This migration of Japanese women married to U.S. soldiers drastically changed the make up and complexion of the Japanese American community as …

Login or Register to join our Nima-kai

About

A 1.5 generation Nikkei, I was born in Japan to a Japanese mom and African American dad and share life experiences with Sansei. Throughout my life I have lived all across the US and in Japan. Living in diverse geographic areas from Alaska to North Carolina, Kansas to California, New England to Texas, Tokyo to Okinawa have shaped who I am and how I see the world.

An avid sport “guy” I played and coached in Japanese American basketball leagues for almost 30 years before injury retired me. Through my daughter Mariko, I coached Sansei Softball, travel softball and high school water polo. Together she and I are die hard UCLA Bruin Softball fans!!! GO COACH I (Inouye-Perez)!!!

As a college professor I teach Asian American Studies and conduct research in multiracial & ethnic identity and BIPOC community based program evaluation in community health & wellness.

Get updates

Sign up for email updates

Journal feed
Events feed
Comments feed

Support this project

Discover Nikkei

Discover Nikkei is a place to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. To continue to sustain and grow this project, we need your help!

Ways to help >>

A project of the Japanese American National Museum


The Nippon Foundation