I think, basically, we have to really make darn sure we teach every single child to be proud of who they are. And that means their color, their sexual orientation, their economics, that they're handicapped, whatever; but the essential essence of who they are are on the inside. It's their character, it's their lovingness, it's their sense of beauty. These are things that make you a beautiful person, not any of the outside things. So be true to who you are on the outside and nurture that and be proud of that. We need to teach that to every single kid, every single person, that you are a lovable, cherishable, beautiful human being. I think if we keep constantly—I think the reason why you're a nice person is because somebody loved you before you deserved to be loved. You know? And I think that's the kind of message we need to understand first, that I am a worthy person. I can contribute and make somebody else happy and make this world a little better place.
Date: May 27, 1998
Location: Washington, US
Interviewer: Lori Hoshino
Contributed by: Denshō: The Japanese American Legacy Project.
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