Double Doubles (The Fuqua Sisters)

Greetings Hip Hapa Homeez! Thank you for returning for another bite of watermelon sushi. In our world, we honor those who are multicultural, multiethnic and/or multiracial—whatever your preference for the definition of someone who is mixed or who crosses cultures. We also love blowing up anyone who supports our agenda. So, if either one describes you, drop us a line at watermelonsushi@comcast.net so we can make you the next big star of our blog interview series.

This week, we offer you not one but two Hip Hapa Homeez who happen to be sisters. Thanks to filmmaker Regge Life for the word "Doubles" which he used in his movie's title to describe Japan's mixed race children.

Your Hip Hapa first met Sakura (Sah-koo-rah), the oldest Fuqua sister pictured on the right, years ago when the Watermelon Sushi website was first launched by web whiz Mia Gonzalez. Later, Sakura introduced me to her sister Miyako (Mee-yah-koh), pictured on the left, who has aspirations in the film industry.

While the siblings are adorable, having spent half their lives in Asia also makes them worldly about race and culture. And, although the same questions were asked each separately, their answers are uncannily similar. Check it out.

Q: What are two nice mixed-race girls like you doing being sisters?

Miyako:

Ha ha! Sakura is 24, and I’m 22. I tend to think our sibling dynamic is pretty typical where she acts more as the protective older sister while I look up to her and admire anything she does. Generally, we want the best for each other and are very supportive.

Sakura:

Ha ha! I am the oldest by a year, but I feel like Miyako is older than me sometimes. For the most part we get along great. I feel like we are a support system for each other. As for all siblings, we can get on each other’s nerves. I think it’s only normal.

Q: How did your parents meet?

Miyako:

Our father is African American, born in Florida and raised in New York, and our mother is from Okinawa Japan. While our dad was stationed in Okinawa, they were set up by two of their mutual friends. Ironically, the two friends (an Okinawan woman and a white American) ended up getting married and having two boys (Ken and Yuji)!

Sakura:

Our parents met through friends. My mom’s childhood friend from birth and my dad’s good friend from the military introduced my parents. I think that’s how it worked out. Then my dad taught English to a group of Okinawan people and my mom was in the class. That is how they got to know each other.

Q: What kind of hardships did your parents experience because of their marriage?

Miyako:

I do remember our mother telling us that our obasan (grandmother) was at one point against the marriage because she was worried about her oldest daughter (who took care of the family after her father died) venturing to an unfamiliar country. At that point, it wasn’t necessarily about race, but instead more about our mother identifying with another nationality.

Sakura:

For the most part, I know my parents didn’t talk to us about this much. They didn’t want us to feel discouraged because of being mixed-race children. My father’s family was very supportive. His friends on the other hand thought he should be with his own race. On my mother’s side, my grandmother was worried that people would give them a hard time in life because of their mixed-race marriage. My Okinawan great-grandmother didn’t approve at first, until she met me as a baby.

Q: You lived in Asia forever. What was that like?

Miyako:

I would say about 11 years. We lived in Camp Zama, Yokohama, Yokota Air Base, and we even lived in South Korea for a couple of years in Itaewon. I absolutely loved the experience because there was a considerably large population of biracial kids. That was the only time in my life I felt like I could represent myself accurately as a multiracial being and, most importantly, I didn’t have to explain anything to anybody...everybody just got it.

Sakura:

We lived in Japan and Korea--Japan for 9 years on military bases. We lived in Yokohama, Camp Zama, and Yokota Air Base--Korea for 2 years in Yongsan (in Itaewon). We would visit our grandmother in Okinawa during the summers. When I was with my parents, Japanese people treated us with respect. When I was alone with my friends we were treated like trouble, which we were. We were in middle school at the time.

Q: What are the major differences between Japanese and American cultures?

Miyako:

I think being biracial isn’t only limited to physical features, but extends to both of our personalities and how we act. Depending on certain situations, I can be humble and soft-spoken which I truly believe I inherited from our mother. Other times, I’m very liberal and more open-minded about topics that Japanese people still consider to be taboo.

Sakura:

A lot of differences. When I first came here I thought, “How am I ever going to survive here in America?” Now I think, “How would I ever survive in Japan if I went back?” American culture is very easygoing and casual. Japanese culture is all about doing things the right way--which is how I would like to be, but I have lived in the U.S. a bit too long. I also feel like Japanese people have a passion for their hobbies and do everything in the right way to master a passion.

Q: What do you miss about not living in Japan anymore?

Miyako:

I miss Japanese food! Although we can get things at the oriental market or when we go home to visit our parents, it’s not the same as getting it in Japan, you know? My idea of a perfect meal is their signature melon float with an authentic bowl of ramen. Yum!

Sakura:

I miss walking on the streets in Tokyo and smelling all the different smells. I live in Indianapolis Indiana and the weather is similar. I smell when the seasons change and that is when I miss Japan the most. I don’t know why, or if that even makes sense. I miss my childhood in Asia.

Q: Are you fluent in Japanese language?

Miyako:

I actually just graduated with a major concentrating in Japanese Language and Culture. I have a lot to learn about the language, but I would say my level is intermediate.

Sakura:

I am not fluent. I understand, but I get cold feet when it’s time to speak. I never learned fully, but it is my New Year’s resolution. We will see how that goes. Miyako speaks fluently.

Q: George Takei, better known as Mr. Sulu of Star Trek, once told me that I mispronounced my own name. Actually, I was enunciating each syllable because I was tired of people asking, ‘what?’ the night we met at a loud party. What similar experiences have you had with your Japanese names?

Miyako:

This actually drives me NUTS, but whenever I say “Miyako”, people automatically repeat back, “Bianca?” So we have to stand there for like 5 minutes going back and forth until they get it right, and it doesn’t matter anyway because they end up forgetting. It’s interesting because Americans recognize it as a Japanese name more than Japanese people do!

Sakura:

I am Shakira the Columbian pop singer to a lot of people. I have heard: SUK-ura, SAK-ura, Securea. Latino people call me Sakurrrra. I go with the flow, it doesn’t bother me. Even my parents both say my name differently. To make things simple, I tell people to call me Saki.

Q: Most mixed Japanese and second, third, or fourth generation Japanese Americans have Anglicized first names and Japanese middle names. What are your “name” stories?

Miyako:

I think our mom was indifferent to whether or not we had American versus Japanese names. It always seemed like dad was more into Japanese culture than our mom. Our parents chose Miyako because I was born in March, and my middle name is Akina. I think it technically means spring flower, but it is also the name of dad’s favorite pop star in the 80’s (Nakamori Akina).

Sakura:

My dad wanted us to have Japanese names. So the trade off was that my mom got to choose the names. Unlike my sister, I don’t have a middle name, which is typical for Japanese people not to have.

Q: Sakura means cherry blossom, but what does Miyako mean?

Miyako:

Miyako means “Beautiful Child of March”.

Q: Since neither of you look typically Japanese, but are knowledgeable about Japanese culture, customs, history, language and so forth, what are your biggest frustrations in the way people treat you—both Japanese and non-Japanese?

Miyako:

Living in America I’ve always felt like I wasn’t enough of something for someone whereas on the bases I was very comfortable with my identity. I’ve noticed that society has a tendency to make individuals feel like there’s something wrong with you unless you are a white, straight, male. At one point you just have to stop caring about whatever people think about you because you’ll just drive yourself crazy!

Sakura:

I struggle with this a lot. I am trying to get over it as I answer these questions. I identify with being both Japanese and African American. Asian people as they get to know me appreciate that I am half Asian, understand the culture, and respect the cultures (this is my perception, this may not be how they feel). They also realize that I am American. I am satisfied. My frustrations come from Americans. I feel like I have a lot of pressure to be “one” race or ethnicity. I can’t accept that and I won’t accept that. I know from some African Americans, they feel like I can’t accept being black, because I always say that I am both Japanese and African American. I have lost friends this way or have not been accepted by a group of people. Why shouldn’t I be able to say I am both?

Q: What do you think of Japanese African American enka singer Jero-san (pictured here) and the Japanese icon, Hello Kitty?

Miyako:

I admire Jero-san! I think he obviously had a lot drive for accomplishing what he has, and the way that he has earned the Japanese people’s respect is really inspiring.

Sakura:

I love Hello Kitty, but doesn’t everybody?

Yayoi-san, I think you introduced me to Jero-san. I watched an interview with him on Talk Asia and he discussed his grandmother a lot. He held a very strong love for her. I didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted with my grandmother, but I always felt a strong connection with her, even though I didn’t speak much Japanese and she didn’t speak much English. It’s funny how language goes beyond words.

Career wise; Gambatte, Jero-san!!!!!!!!!!

Q: Do you watch NHK or the taiga dramas (weekly series based on Japanese feudal history)?

Miyako:

No, I haven’t seen any taiga dramas, but I occasionally watch it with our mom when I visit her and our dad.

Sakura:

No, I do not watch taiga dramas, but my grandmother loved them. I would dread when that came on. NHK, I like and wish I had the opportunity to watch more.

Q: What are you two doing these days?

Miyako:

Currently, I’m working at an agency called Stonebelt that supports people with developmental disabilities. I applied for a program called JET, so hopefully I will be able to teach English in Japan this coming summer. I’m also an aspiring screenwriter and plan on entering several contests in the coming months.

Sakura:

I am currently in school studying Tourism Convention Event Management. I love to travel and learn about culture, so this is this is the goal of my life. I work for Wyndham Hotels, full time. This will, hopefully, assist in future travels. I am a part of an Okinawan club, to try to get a better understanding of the culture where my mom comes from.

Domo arigato gozaimasu to the Fuqua sisters!

And, a shout-out to Julia Baker and Carol Sugihara Harris for their support of Watermelon Sushi through their Hapa*Teez t-shirt purchases. Remember to join our Hip Hapa Homeez group page on Facebook where we post links to stories of interest to mixed communities. While you’re on Facebook, go to the Watermelon Sushi Fan page and sign up to stay updated. And, follow us on Twitter where we’ve been posting lines from the Watermelon Sushi script.

As always, my friends, keep sharing the flava.

Your Hip Hapa,

Yayoi

In Character With Tony Insignares

Welcome back, Hip Hapa Homeez! This week’s featured guest is actor/model Tony Insignares, pictured here and below. Since Tony is so willing to share, let’s just jump right into his thoughts.

Q: What’s a nice multiracial guy like you doing in show biz?

A: It’s actually been something I’ve wanted to do since I was young, but I never really committed to it because I was participating in sports. It wasn’t until I was playing college football that I caught the “acting bug”. All I remember is something inside of me said that I’m supposed to be an actor. After I prayed about it and talked with my family, I told my coach that I was moving on from football. I’ve been acting in projects ever since and never looked back.

Q: What are your parents’ ethnicities, and how did they meet?

A: My mother is black, Cherokee, and Irish. My father is Guajira Indian, Hispanic and Italian. My parents met in Caracas Venezuela at a book fair, and I guess you can say they were both on the same page. They married in the U.S., and my brother and I were born.

Q: The word “Hispanic”, like the word “European”, can mean a lot of things. Do you know some of your Latin roots?

A: My family name is Italian. My grandfather on my father’s side came to South America from Italy when he was a little boy, and the family settled in Venezuela. My father was born in Caracas.

Q: You work in film, TV, onstage, in music videos, and commercials; and, also model. What do you enjoy about each one, and why?

A: It’s fun being in front of the camera no matter whether it’s film or television because the relationship of the story and the character are very detailed. I love the entertainment side of film and TV because viewers watch you on screen in given circumstances and it takes their minds off everyday life. It’s the same in doing music videos and commercials.

I love being on stage doing theatre because it’s where I can express myself through a character and be truthful. It can still be entertaining, but it also allows me to really use my imagination. There’s nothing better than being in the moment and the audience is on the edge of their seats sensing everything going on in front them through your eyes. That’s what I love about theatre.

I enjoy the work involved in modeling when it comes to looking good and seeing myself in photos. What I really love about modeling is how it has helped me to have more confidence in myself. Modeling forces me to be body-oriented. By that, I mean it requires a person to make health and fitness a priority as well as good grooming. In addition, it makes you aware of how you move by refining and controlling posture and walking, like the discipline of a dancer. It can really develop poise and confidence.

Q: Some might say you’re just another pretty face, but you’ve had some academic achievements, too, haven’t you?

A: Throughout my years in high school and college, I’ve won awards for being a scholar-athlete and earned scholarships for my academics from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and The International Scholar Laureate Program where I traveled to China as a diplomat. I made the Dean’s List every semester in college and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication and Theatre. But I would say that my biggest academic achievement was being in special education for eight years and graduating college with honors without any assistance.

Q: What have been your favorite or least favorite roles so far?

A: Wow! I have many favorite roles, but I don’t really have a least favorite. And that’s because every role, no matter how big or small, has its own purpose. In addition, with each role I learn something about myself either as a person or about my craft as a professional.

My favorite characters are Village from The Blacks: A Clown Show, Miss Roj from The Colored Museum, and Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet. The character Village helped me to become a better interpreter and made me better at learning lines faster because we didn’t have a lot of time. I used to be a very shy person, but this character opened me up and now I’m able to take command of any speaking situation.

The character Miss Roj is actually a drag queen. She has a 15-minute monologue by herself in the play. What I liked about playing that character was the research. It taught me not to judge or be scared to get to know a stranger that’s misunderstood. At one time, I think I may have been homophobic, but playing that character helped me to have respect for people no matter who they are. The bottom line is we are all human beings.

Lastly, playing the role of Tybalt was remarkable for me because the theme of this Romeo and Juliet production was about “gangsta life”. So, the director decided that this presentation should be a Crips and Blood version. I loved playing this character because it made Shakespeare fun. Instead of using the usual Elizabethan elements, we used our own. We wore the red and blue bandanas of the two gangs and used guns instead of swords. This interpretation helped me to view the play in a broader perspective so that there is a contemporary message and context for Tybalt with thugs and gangsters of today.

Q: What are some of the positives and negatives of having an ambiguous racial identity when it comes to your career?

A: The positives about it are that I stand out like a sore thumb on a hitchhiker. I like it because I get to play so many diverse characters that aren’t considered black or Hispanic. It gives me more flexibility as an actor and it doesn’t put me in a specific category. I don’t have to be something that I’m not so I get to be what’s true to me. I’ve been fortunate to play African, Mexican, and Japanese characters and each one has taught me to respect each culture and identity including my own.

The negative side of it is that sometimes I may not get jobs because the casting director doesn’t consider me black or Hispanic enough to play a character. It’s bittersweet because I live in Nashville and the city doesn’t cater much to those who are ethnic. As much I have respect for the city and all it does, I’ve learned from agents and casting directors that I need to be in Los Angeles or New York because I have a very distinct look that doesn’t fit in with this town’s environment.

One example is an ongoing play that I’m in right now called The Dance on Widow’s Row, which consists of an all-black cast. I was helping out with show at first because they had already cast their actors, but a couple of them dropped out because of scheduling conflicts and we had nobody else to play the characters. I was thinking that the director of the show would let me step in and perform one of the roles since we’ve worked with each other for years. But he didn’t want me in the show because I didn’t look “black”, even from the audience standpoint. He chose two new black actors, but one of them dropped out a week before the show. He finally called and asked me to perform in the show. I learned my lines and learned the blocking, and I’ve been in the show ever since. I’ve even performed as the understudy for the second lead actor in the show. I wasn’t mad about not being in the show because of my look. It taught me to appreciate who I am, be patient, and have faith because every director/producer has a vision of what he/she wants the show to be, and I wouldn’t want to be cast if I didn’t fit that vision.

I would have done the same thing if I were in that position.

Q: We first spoke last year about a role you were offered playing a mixed-race Japanese. How do you feel about actors playing characters not of their own race? Does a minority playing a different kind of minority still risk accusations of “blackface” or, in this case, “yellowface”?

A: I have mixed feelings about that because if an actor plays a character that isn’t their own race or culture, they have to be careful about the message they interpret to the audience. But I’ve also watched one-man/woman shows where the actor plays multiple characters and some of them are outside of their race, but they portray the characters respectfully and with truth so the audience can relate to the character. They make you look past the color of their skin and use your imagination.

On the contrary, there are actors who only present the stereotype of race, color, and ethnicity. Instead of showing respect for characters, they neglect them and don’t try to learn or research about their cultures, which causes this stigma of it being “blackface” or “yellowface”. In The Dance on Widow’s Row play, I play a black man, and I have to put on make-up to become the character, but I don’t try to insult the character or the audience who relate to the character. Of course, I use what I know about the locale of the play and what I’ve researched, but I do my best to play the character with authenticity and honesty. As actors, we reflect reality and teach people about a person’s circumstance when we’re in their shoes. Acting is about putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes, no matter who they are or where they come from, so we can understand human nature and the mystery of life.

For more information, Hip Hapa Homeez can contact Tony at:

jcinsignares@gmail.com

Facebook: Tony Insignares

Myspace.com/jcinsignares

As usual, we invite you to join our Hip Hapa Homeez group page on Facebook for updated news about multiethnic and transracially-adopted people. You can also sign up as a Watermelon Sushi Fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and buy a t-shirt to help support our film.

In closing, Watermelon Sushi World extends our condolences and best wishes for a speedy recovery to our Haitian friends reeling from their recent catastrophe.

Bonjou Konpe-m! Since 1804, when Haiti liberated herself from French slavemasters to become the first free black republic of the Western world, she has struggled. Other countries refused to recognize her government, instituted unfair trade embargos, occupied this autonomous nation, and worse. Haitians have suffered from immense poverty, diseases like AIDS, ecological calamities, brutal governments, and more. The inequity of a racial caste system based on skin color that firmly placed mulatto elites at the top (witness dictator Papa Doc) further damaged the potential of this island state. In spite of it all, Haiti has survived and we know she will rise again. Mwen renmen ou!

Until we meet again, I am now and forever...

Your Hip Hapa,

Yayoi

Blasian Baby Blogging

Habari Gani, Hip Hapa Homeez! How's that brand-new year working out for you so far?

Everyone here in our Watermelon Sushi World sends you their best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Year of the Metal Tiger due to descend upon us on February 14. Do check back for more about what that means. If you’re into feng shui, we’ll have some tips on how you can attract the lucky Tiger’s powerful energies. Tora!

Hey, this new year’s slate of interviews promises to provide you with more informative discussions about our multi-heritage experiences. Please feel free to leave your comments, or get in touch directly with some of your co-Hip Hapa Homeez through their links. They’d love to hear from you.

Remember, most newsworthy topics of interest for blendies and mixies are now being posted at the Facebook Hip Hapa Homeez group page. It’s an open group so sign up there to join us. Posting links and comments on the group page leaves this blog space open for lengthier interviews and more photos of our tres chic and looking good Hip Hapa Homeez. By the way, if you’re multi-culti and have a story about your world that you’d like to share, email hiphapa@comcast.net to be considered for an interview.

Don't forget to join our Watermelon Sushi Fan page on Facebook, too, and you can still support our film with your t-shirt purchase--which also earns you a rear crawl credit.

This week’s featured Hip Hapa Homee, pictured above, has quite the cyber life. I first noticed her blogging about what’s referred to as “blasian” issues. You may know that the term literally means black+Asian=blasian; whether referring to offspring of an Asian/black pairing or the coupling of a monoracial black and a monoracial Asian person. Onica Cupido, aka Nikki, is a single mother of a blasian—half Korean--son, Daniel, and writes about what that’s all about. Below is a photo of mother and child, as well as links to Onica’s blogs:

http://euphorialuv.wordpress.com

http://blasianbabynotes.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/euphorialuv

Q: What's a nice African American girl like you doing blogging about blasian relationships?

A: It sorta just happened. A few years back I was married to a Chinese American and, as we started planning our life together, we wondered where all the other Asian and black families were. After doing a search online, we found very little information beyond a few yahoo groups. So, we started a website and then a blog to offer information and support for other couples and families of this mix.

Q: What's your ethnic heritage?

A: I consider myself a black woman of West Indian Guyanese descent. Both of my parents are from Guyana, in South America.

Q: Being a single mother must be really tough, but you probably experience some really rewarding times, too. Can you tell us a little about both?

A: Being a single parent can be hard when your child is sick and you have to choose to stay home from work repeatedly. Or when you need just a few hours to yourself, but there's no one to take over the second parenting role. But seeing the joy of my son who's confident that I will comfort him, or be there for him, when needed is amazing. I have more encouraging times than I do discouraging times.

Q: Do you think your son, who has very Asian features, is treated differently when you step into the picture and people can see that he has a black mother?

A: So far, this is an ironic thing. No one treats my son any differently even when they find out his mom is black. It's like I was just an incubator for him. Maybe this will change as he grows, but for now it's not an issue.

Q: What about how you're treated when you're alone versus when you're with Daniel? Or, for that matter, what about when you’re with an Asian man?

A: As you can understand, when I'm alone I am just a black woman and treated as such. When I’m on a date with an Asian man, it's not that much of a big deal. Most people have a favorable reaction and think we're a "cute" couple.

But being a mom to Daniel seems to provoke some interesting reactions from curiosity to disbelieving to anger. Each person seems to deal with the visual of Daniel and me differently. I cannot explain the reactions, but I suspect it's usually based on that person’s internal views of black women and interracial mixing.

Q: Any ideas why Asian men/black women couples are so rare among interracial relationships?

A: That's the thing; Asian men and black women couples and families are not rare. Blasian couples and families have been around since the dawn of men and women. Due to the lack of social and media attention, people think it's a rare coupling when compared against other types of interracial couples. But there's historical data and references that show the union of Asian and black people happening for years.

I also think there's a undermining of black women being seen as viable dating and marriage partners. Whenever the idea of interracial dating is highlighted, it’s usually in connection with a white partner. This naturally brings up all sorts of past racial issues and puts interracial dating in a negative light. It's not very encouraging for black women who want to date interracially.

Q: What are the most common questions you're asked by blasian mothers? How about mothers of blasian kids?

A: Blasian mothers have their own unique questions since they already have a dual heritage versus a black or Asian mother with a singular heritage.

Mothers of blasian kids worry if their child will be accepted for who they are as a whole in either community. We as mothers love our own community and the community of our partners, but we wonder whether these communities will love what our unions have produced. I think this is a main question for all mothers with biracial children—of any kind.

Many thanks, Nikki, for your wonderful words of wisdom. If any of you read the recent postings of the young Chinese woman with a black father who appeared on a television talent show in China, you may be aware that she received a lot of hateful reactions. Born and raised in Shanghai, this girl has literally no knowledge of African American culture, customs or rituals. Yet because her father is a black American, many in China refused to accept her as Chinese. It’s a sad planet we live on where others still want to dictate to us who we are in spite of our own selves claiming otherwise. However, here in our Watermelon Sushi World, we are free to just be.

Until next time, I am freely

Your Hip Hapa,

Yayoi