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EK: And something that I'm super excited to ask about as part of the younger generation and as part of, yeah, just the younger generation and activism, what are your thoughts about current Japanese American activism, the Seattle JACL, and younger JA generation?

BT: That's easy. I'm really excited and I am in awe of what they're doing. And it's something that's original and it's something that's definitely something that I'm not savvy with, with technology and things like that. But one part that I totally enjoy right now is, is the efforts for the chapter to relate our legacy in terms of art, and not just in terms of books, or reports or even interviews. And so I think that the work that Gabrielle Nomura Gainor and Sarah Baker, in terms of telling our story in terms of dance or spoken word, it's things like that, that relate to younger generations, it's remarkable, just inspiring completely. The other part about this is, it's just the depth and the width and broadband of -- the consideration given to social justice issues, the fact that, that we're beyond talking about just the conventional types of racism and stereotyping, but getting into racial algorithms that are used in searches and what gets picked, and the fact that even facial recognition can be very racially motivated or stereotype oriented. Kind of like, it's like, how do you think about this? That's true. [Laughs] Anyway, I am really glad that we get into these areas. And the other part about this is, is that our current board and our current chapter still does not shy away from the hard issues, okay. So when it comes to, like, defunding the police or things like that, they take the time, not just to talk about it, but to take a stand, and to publicize an understanding of decisions with the entire membership. Very, very good. Just, like I said, just in awe and inspired by the future.

EK: I want to say I appreciate that just because I think that growing up from a pretty -- I want, I don't want to say like political or like conservative environment, I think that the support system that I'm surrounded with, normally they -- my family supports me, however, it is at times pretty conservative. So, I'll hear things such as, you'll get older when you understand when I talk about issues that, it's like, I don't need to be older to understand this, this is a thing that's happening right now. And so just being able to hear this appreciation for the younger generation is refreshing, first of all, but just, I think that -- I think about the support system that is necessary for the younger generation as well. Because sometimes I find myself kind of backing down from what I'm very passionate about because there are individuals telling me that this is, you're going too far with this, or, like I said, you'll understand when you get older. So just want to say I appreciate this kind of affirmation that exists. And it's really necessary, in my point of view, for it to exist, too. But I guess, to wrap everything up, is there anything else that you wanted to mention or describe that we didn't cover today?

BT: I can't think of anything. [Laughs]

EK: Yeah. Well, if you don't have any other words to say, this is a question that I usually ask at the end of an interview. But if you had to describe yourself, I guess in one word, what would you describe yourself as?

BT: I don't... I don't know. I would like to think easygoing, yes. I don't know.

EK: I agree. Well, if there isn't anything else that you want to share, Bill, I just want to say thank you so much for taking time out of your day to be able to contribute to this amazing project. And also to, I guess, I don't want to say like life lessons, but being able to hear from you definitely actually gave me some encouragement with the things that I do, with the struggles that I face. And so I just wanted to say thank you. And just hearing your stories is -- hearing about your stories are really just, I just, I have no words for it, obviously. And so yeah, I just want to say thank you so much. And yeah, Kyle, I don't know if you have anything else left to say.

KK: Oh, sure. I think... I also want to echo thanks, because I think, you sort of put it into context as one of the younger generation, members in the younger generation coming up, what Bill has given us in this last hour and fifteen minutes is quite a gift for everyone else, I think, who partakes of some of this history, which is incredibly valuable. And there are lots of lessons that I think were shared, that it wasn't just his perspective that he has right now. He shared a lot of perspective, as being someone actually your age and actually grappling with these issues in the process of learning and everything out and I think that's -- I would say, yes, it's life lessons, definitely so. And I would also say probably all of us, on behalf of all of us, we still have yet to grow up ourselves, if that's the case. So that comes about because of the fact that Bill shared that process of lifelong learning that I think will be incredibly valuable to preserve. So, just in context, I would say that the Seattle chapter, everyone that Seattle chapter serves, would have a big debt of gratitude for sharing your story.

EK: Absolutely.

KK: Great. So, yeah, Bill.

BT: Thank you. Thank you, Elaine. Thank you, Kyle, very much.

<End Segment 12> - Copyright © 2022 Seattle Chapter JACL. All Rights Reserved.