2011

Making a difference through Art

I am sure that you, as I did, watched in shocked disbelief as the events of March 11th unfolded.  The tragic images of the recent earthquake and tsunami have forever been seared into our collective consciousness.  If that was not enough, on top of a natural disaster, a magnitude of which Japan had never seen before, it seems that Japan was to brace herself for a nuclear threat as well.

It is a tragedy on epic proportions.  So many people in the North East of Japan have been left with nothing.  They have no home, no job, no school, no car, no possessions, no pets, and in the worst case no family; the list goes on and on.  They have lost so much of what we all take for granted. 

Whilst I am not a Japanese citizen, (I fear my Japanese language ability will never quite be up to par!) I am proud to be a permanent resident.  My husband is Japanese, and my daughters are Japanese.  I feel compelled, that it is my duty to act, and contribute even in some small way, to the rebuilding of this great nation.

The issues we face today will still be here tomorrow, the only difference being that they will no longer be ‘newsworthy’.  We therefore need to teach our children, as Japanese citizens, to pull together in order to contribute to the long-term solution.  Mahatma Gandhi said,’Be the change you want to see in the world.’  I have two young daughters and I want to inspire and instill that sentiment into them.

Japan is my home and I am forever grateful to her.  In my heart today and forever I AM JAPANESE!