Interviews

1. Benefits of his multiracial background

Morton,Chad

(b.1977) Professional football player.

Benefits of his multiracial background

I love being parts of two different cultures. I think it's just something special to be. Mixed with a little of this, and a little of that. It helps build character, too. Unless you understand what other people are about... you know, it makes yourself stronger. You can relate to different people that way I think. Understanding, or just studying... you know, African-American culture and Japanese-American culture, and it just gives you a perspective that you might not see from if you were just one ethnicity or one race. I think it's benefitted me greatly.

African Americans culture hapa identity racially mixed people

Date: January 6, 2000

Location: California, US

Interviewer: John Esaki

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

Interviewee Bio

Born in 1977, Chad Morton is the younger brother of Eric and Johnnie Morton. His parents, Johnnie Sr. and Katsuko Morton, have been very supportive of their children's athletic pursuits. He grew up in Torrance, CA where he attended South Torrance High School and played football and ran track. He continued both at the University of Southern California, completing his college football career as the 8th leading rusher in school history and named the team's Most Valuable Player for 1999. He now plays professionally in the NFL for the New England Patriots, having also played for the Washington Redskins. (August 9, 2005)