« The History of Duanwu (Dragon Boat) Festival
Missy Kim Favorites, Saturday May 30th »

It’s been a long time since I was that idealistic college freshman taking an Asian American history course. The first assignment in that class had us reading Strangers From a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki. I remember thinking how great it was that someone took the time to make a textbook on Asian American history.

Takaki’s book helped me to understand the roles that Asian Americans had in shaping the America that we live in today. It also introduced me to the origins of many racial stereotypes and the history of discrimination that all Asian Americans endured.

As wonderful a contribution as Strangers was, I learned later that he was the reason why ethic studies courses were even offered in colleges in the first place. Takaki fought hard to convince the administrators of UC Berkeley to let him start an ethnic studies program where he taught the first black history course during the early 1970s.

Takaki’s hard work and influence for Asian Americans reaches far beyond anything I can put into words. It would be fair to say that had I not read his Strangers book, I might not have developed my passion for Asian media and perhaps never had the idea to start Ningin.

Ronald Takaki died this past Tuesday at the age of 70 having fought multiple sclerosis for 20 years. He leaves behind a great legacy and has touched the lives of many people, mine included.


Rating:
(Avg: Need 5 votes)
 

 
0
0

LOL
0
WTF
0
Cool
0
Win
0
Fail
0
Cute
0
Geeky
0



« The History of Duanwu (Dragon Boat) Festival
Missy Kim Favorites, Saturday May 30th »

This blog post is popular on:

search.daum.net

Viral Score - 6.79
 

No reactions to display.

34 Comments »

Dear Guest, please login to comment

Login

You can use your Mixr, Facebook, Twitter, Google, or Yahoo account to comment

Create New Account | Forgot password?


Please keep the comments clean by not posting advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks. Terms of Use.

Having trouble registering? Try our non-javascript registration page.

 
cheekybodacious - 06/04/09 9:43 pm
Misters0freshh - 06/04/09 6:45 am
cheekybodacious - 06/02/09 10:18 pm
lilly118 - 06/02/09 10:16 pm

Dang another suicide done by an influential person. Societies today aren’t looking too good. -_-

yeah, like that one korean president.
T_T

sad but everyone dies at one point

i know. but its so much sadder when its suicide rather than natural death~

true


Misters0freshh - 06/04/09 6:45 am
cheekybodacious - 06/02/09 10:18 pm
lilly118 - 06/02/09 10:16 pm

Dang another suicide done by an influential person. Societies today aren’t looking too good. -_-

yeah, like that one korean president.
T_T

sad but everyone dies at one point

i know. but its so much sadder when its suicide rather than natural death~


cheekybodacious - 06/02/09 10:18 pm
lilly118 - 06/02/09 10:16 pm

Dang another suicide done by an influential person. Societies today aren’t looking too good. -_-

yeah, like that one korean president.
T_T

sad but everyone dies at one point


lilly118 - 06/02/09 10:16 pm

Dang another suicide done by an influential person. Societies today aren’t looking too good. -_-

yeah, like that one korean president.
T_T


Dang another suicide done by an influential person. Societies today aren’t looking too good. -_-


lilly118 - 06/01/09 6:04 pm

R.I.P. He’s done alot. Maybe I’ll read his book.

ya, it might be the only book i read over the summer ^_^


R.I.P. He’s done alot. Maybe I’ll read his book.


Misters0freshh - 05/31/09 8:26 pm
cheekybodacious - 05/31/09 4:31 pm

i think i might go read that book. its sounds very inspiring ^_^

I know right ?

i hope my library has it. no offense, i dont want to buy it because i need to start saving money~


cheekybodacious - 05/31/09 4:31 pm

i think i might go read that book. its sounds very inspiring ^_^

I know right ?


i think i might go read that book. its sounds very inspiring ^_^


RIP Mr Takaki.


Hellojeffy - 05/31/09 2:14 pm

Rest in Peace Mr. Takaki =[

ditto


Rest in Peace Mr. Takaki =[


AkuenKigahen - 05/31/09 8:39 am
Siralop7 - 05/31/09 3:25 am

Oh and why would he commit suicide??? That’s too bad.

MS is a debilitating disease with no cure. He said he couldn’t take it anymore.

i know...so sad :(


Siralop7 - 05/31/09 3:25 am

Oh and why would he commit suicide??? That’s too bad.

MS is a debilitating disease with no cure. He said he couldn’t take it anymore.


like everyone else said

rip


ryu00 - 05/31/09 4:56 am

sad to hear.  RIP

I know right :(


sad to hear.  RIP


Siralop7 - 05/31/09 3:25 am

Oh and why would he commit suicide??? That’s too bad.

he didn’t


Sakura - 05/31/09 2:32 am
cheekybodacious - 05/30/09 9:34 pm
buttack5 - 05/30/09 8:22 pm

wow multiple sclerosis for 20 years what a fighter R.I.P

i know. my mom has had MS for about 25 years and thankfully it hasnt gotten that bad.

Sorry to hear that Cheeky!

thanks~ she’s been really lucky ^^

@siralop - maybe the stress and hardship of his disease finally got to him?


RIP


Oh and why would he commit suicide??? That’s too bad.


COOL! It’s sad that I had to find out about him through his death but I believe his books should be a good read. May he Rest in peace.


cheekybodacious - 05/30/09 9:34 pm
buttack5 - 05/30/09 8:22 pm

wow multiple sclerosis for 20 years what a fighter R.I.P

i know. my mom has had MS for about 25 years and thankfully it hasnt gotten that bad.

Sorry to hear that Cheeky!


So said

Rest In Peace


<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Follow Us


suggest a link

Ningin Voices

newsletter

Tips

We love to hear from our users! Let us know what you'd like us to write about at tips@ningin.com.

PopularBlogPosts

MustRead

Categories


Archives