PARTNER

INTERVIEW ID

ddr-sjacl-2-42

NARRATOR

Ruthann Kurose
Paul Kurose
Mika Kurose Rothman

INTERVIEW TITLE

The Kurose Family Interview

1:28:12 — 12 segments

DESCRIPTION

Elaine Kim led a panel interview of Ruthann, Paul, and Mika Kurose. The conversation also touched upon reflections about Aki Kurose, Seattle teacher and peace activist who was Ruthann and Paul's mother, and Mika's grandmother, as well as about Junelow (Junx) whose love and support of Aki as her husband reinforces the incredible strength of the entire Kurose family in their multiple generations of community service and activism. Paul has made meaningful contributions as a teacher in the field of education, and represents the family in the annual JACL AKi Kurose college scholarships provided. Ruthann reflected on her lifetime work with civil rights and social justice included the importance of showing up and as John Lewis stated that "when you see something is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up, say something, do something." Mika shared her experiences working on President Obama's clemency initiative and the wide disparities between black and brown people and white people who are incarcerated in prisons for low-level, non-violent drug crimes and how this speaks to multiple societal, system issues including having little or no access to good schools or healthcare. There is much, ongoing work to be done and how building community coalitions and the values held by the Quakers, whom Aki Kurose was taught and influenced by, are those of pacifism and non-violent conflict resolution.

PRODUCTION

Elaine Kim, interviewer; Joy Misako St. Germain, interviewer

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Seattle JACL

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Seattle JACL, Densho

RIGHTS