Hapa*Teez Sells T-shirts!

Yay! After only two weeks in cyberspace, Hapa*Teez sold its first order of t-shirts last night. A million thanks to the buyer (who shall remain nameless at this point).

Domo arrigato gozaimashita!

Remember that we're financing our feature film, Watermelon Sushi, through the sales of these t-shirts, and we'd like to give credit to anyone who buys them. If you purchase a Hapa*Teez t-shirt, please contact me so I can verify that your name will appear in the rear crawl credit of our film.

Even though the t-shirt theme is about hapa pride, you don't have to be hapa to buy or wear one. And, if you love a hapa (a child, a partner, a friend), there will soon be several new designs made especially for you--thanks to Brian P. for the suggestion. We hapas do love having the support of our friends. Here's that link: http://www.cafepress.com/hapateez

Above, is a photo of the original Watermelon Sushi cast, left to right: Kathy Chung who played Grandmother Kazuko, Grace Rowe who played Michiko, and Coco Nishiyama who played Mama Junko. Aren't they gorgeous?

That's all for tonight. Tomorrow, we tackle more issues of "war brides" and the "One Drop Rule". Join me, then?

Your Hip Hapa,

Yayoi

Back To Biracial Bizness

After five straight hours of talking, I'm exhausted. What was supposed to have been a 20-minute videotaping of a young Japanese-Caucasian American teenager turned into an all afternoon gab fest with his cool white mother. Now in her 40's, Mary (not her real name) told me about growing up in the Northwest with relatively no racial awareness. Her Danish grandfather, she said, taught her that all people were the same, and that America was a place where everyone should mix together. Taking his words to heart, she married a Japanese man, produced two gorgeous children, and now hosts foreign students of all ethnicities in her comfortable home. Determined to do her part in making the world an accepting place for all races, Mary told me that being bussed in high school was the best education she ever had. Imagine that. Then contrast Mary's experience with those Southern white kids who spat at, and called degrading names out to, black children attempting to integrate their schools. We've come a long way, baby.

And, it's been a long day, so I bid you adieu.

P.S. A happy belated Valentine's Day to Brian P. Thanks for the card (pix above), sweetie!

Your Hip Hapa,

Yayoi