Densho Digital Repository - Theo Bickel Interview (Densho ID: ddr-sjacl-2-30-9)

<Begin Segment 9>

EK: Just letting you know, I don't want to intrude on your time, but, just a heads up, we have ten minutes. So just, not to like, if you have to go, please let me know. But we're nearing towards the last few questions. But this is also a really heavy question, too. So, enacting social change is obviously not a low hanging fruit, so what pushes you to continue the work that you do? And what pushes you -- what leads you to pursue such a deed? And how does the platform of the JACL or the purpose of the JACL fit into the goals of social change for you?

TB: Yeah, I mean, that's a great question, Elaine. I don't have a really articulated perspective as to like, this is why I'm so driven for a different world. It's kind of like an inherent part of, even as a young kid, I kind of understood that things were wrong and things needed to change. I kind of blame my parents who like, started bringing me to Iraq War protests, and were, perhaps not the most politically involved people, but always made a big point of educating themselves about the uncomfortable truths about what's going on. But for social change, I mean, it's incredibly meaningful. And in a world like this with, I mean, so many systemic crises going on right now, there's really no way I can sit this out without feeling like I can do something. I also get the feeling that if I have too much vacation, I need to, like, throw myself back into work. So maybe there's something else going on here. But really, fundamentally, it's just a deep part of who I am. And I am by no means the most involved person I know. There's so many incredible young leaders that are doing way more than I am. I really look up to them, too. I think that what I do is, in so many ways, kind of like what I mentioned with my earlier role, it's kind of supporting and so being there and being present, and building relationships, and helping people is kind of a key part of how I see my role in JACL. Yeah, so again, with Seattle JACL, it's both a space and a platform for me to realize that, or not realize that, but make my beliefs come into action. Because I think that it's key that all of us may want something, but we have to spend time and effort working on it. So JACL is one of the spaces I try to, yeah, make change happen.

EK: Perfect, thank you. So in, next question, moving on to the next question, in one sentence, how would you describe yourself?

TB: Oh, how would I in one sentence? Oh, boy. Oh, man, I'm just a human on planet Earth, Elaine. Just here. [Laughs] Yeah, what a question. Yeah, I'll stick with my first answer, all right.

EK: I mean, that could go...

TB: It can go in so many ways. [Laughs]

EK: Right, exactly. Thank you. And I guess for our last one, if there's anything else that you wanted to mention, or describe, or talk about that, is there like anything that you want to talk about that we didn't cover already?

TB: I mean, I'll say, I think, maybe about the national organization. Yeah, kind of tying a little bit into some of the earlier questions about generations and about where JACL is at right now. There's a big shift happening right now with Nisei and many of the past leaders in Japanese American communities across the country, but in JACL, having passed the helm about a decade ago, and a lot of Nisei are just passing on. And so for a lot of Sansei that weren't really given any power in a lot of organizations, that were kind of shut out in many ways, there's also spaces and ways for younger Japanese Americans to get involved. But a lot of organizations are kind of fundamentally in decline. JACL, just on a sheer financial membership note, is in decline. And, we had a good month, we turned things around in the recent big push, big coordinated actions across the country, which were really exciting to finish 2021 on. But I think also being membership chair, my five years has been bittersweet, because I've been getting more involved in seeing the organization get smaller and smaller. But, fundamentally -- and when I talk with membership chairs, there's a perhaps a sense of doom and gloom. Chapters are half of what they used to be, a fifth of what they remember when they were my age. But by and large, this is also a change, and I think that it's an opportunity for new things, that we can't just always compare what JACL used to be, but we can also see the potential, the ways it can make an impact now. And perhaps being a national membership based organization can take its way in other spaces. Fundamentally, I think coalition work for JACL has always been really key, but it's even more important now. Because like, your question with intersectionality is not just JA's that need to fight for JA things, it's, we're all in kind of a common struggle. Hopefully, we're kind of rooted in knowledge of who we are and healthy healing spaces. But, I don't know, just the fact that on paper, it's almost been like a big loss since I've come in, and that's kind of hard to wrap myself around sometimes. But I think it's just about looking forward. But, yeah, that's, that's all I had. So thank you for allowing me to have that space.

EK: No, thank you. I mean, I guess with what you just said right now, that's why it's so important to do the Legacy Fund Grant project, in itself, existing, it's so important.

TB: Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

EK: So, yeah, I'm just super glad that I get to contribute to that, and be a part of it. And also, just like being able to learn from it also is amazing. I don't know if you have any last words, but just wanted to say, I mean, thank you so much, and being able to interview you, I mean, not only for the purpose of the project in itself, but also, I have learned so much in this one hour. I'm just super, super grateful that I spoke up and said I would love to interview Theo. I'm so thankful. Thank you for being able to give up time to do that. And I don't know if Joy has anything to say. But yes, I just want to say thank you so, so, so much.

TB: Thank you, Elaine, I really appreciate it.

JSG: No, I would say the same thing. I really, also learned more about you. And it's very inspirational. And it's a good reminder of just the JACL and the future, and some shared perspectives. And really, thank you so much, it was really great.

TB: Thank you. I appreciate that. I really appreciate you both. Thank you so much for giving me the space and the microphone here. I appreciate all of your very thoughtful questions. And yeah, clearly, you both care very much about this. And so it really, really showed.

EK: Thank you.