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BS: Yeah, and then, just being conscientious of the time, I'm noticing that we're reaching our end, so this will be my last question. But, as co-president looking to the future, what direction would you like to see the Seattle JACL go in?

KK: I think I began sort of intimating it in that I think that our history, even though some people say, "Well, the incarceration was 80 years ago, and anti-Japanese racism even farther back than that," as an organization, JACL I think has really a responsibility, not just to the JA community, but to the American population in general. That was a textbook case of how you vilify a people, make them scapegoats, and justify racist treatment. And, as an example, that's one that I think we need to say, that this kind of happening is not something that we're yet past. It's happened, of course, to the Muslim community post 9/11, and I remember my mom making a... she was actually interviewed by the times, and I think if you Google, you'll find an article where she's featured in the Times talking about how the anti-Muslim hate is just the same as what we experienced prior to World War II. The same thing is true in terms of the treatment of migrants. So we have a responsibility to keep that sort of torch alight to say that as a country, we have the responsibility to continue to fight and continue to really beat back the racism that various communities still experience, and in our case experienced again if you look at the last two years. So, I'm hoping that JACL plays that role. And I'm also really gratified by the fact that you have Yonsei and Gosei members who have decided that that's important, and who've decided that they too have to figure out ways to actually keep that porch lit and really find ways for the JA community to make a contribution to really make this a more just society.

BS: Yeah, I totally agree with that. And then is there anything else that you wanted to share with us that we did not cover today?

KK: Oh, I'm sure there's quite a bit, but I think that for the purposes of our interview and hopefully doing some justice to providing some insights about my mom, hopefully we've done that tonight.

BS: No, yeah, I definitely think we have. You've done a great job talking about yourself and your mother. So, thank you, Kyle, for your time and sharing your stories with us. And thank you, Joy, as well.

JSG: Yes. Thank you so much. It was very inspirational, very informative. And I learned some things about you and Cherry as well, and your dad.

KK: Thank you.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 2022 Seattle Chapter JACL. All Rights Reserved.