Honored to be featured in a podcast interview here: Ken Reiman – Mantra Media (mantrahq.com) where I discuss leadership, Asian American Heritage Month, the role of mothers and parents, and my book. My journey is not possible without the love, kindness, and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents. For them, my sons, and the future, my book and podcast interview are dedicated. Listen to the podcast and let me know your thoughts.
Looking through memory lane I came across a photo of me in 2010 with Guyana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2008) and Permanent Representative to the UN since 1987, Ambassador Rudy Insanally. Ambassador Insanally was President of the 48th Session of the UN General Assembly (1993-1994) and served an illustrious diplomatic career as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Columbia, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Austria, and Japan among other distinguished assignments. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Son, Grand Cordon by the Japanese Government in 2009, becoming the first Caribbean national to receive this award. He was Guyana’s Ambassador to Japan in 1992. Here we are together in his home where he proudly displayed his award. It was an honor to meet him and work with the then Foreign Minister of Guyana as well as interact with other former Foreign Ministers. Guyana afforded me the opportunity to meet and interact with the President and Prime Minister and introduce me to other distinguished members of the Caribbean community.
“In this book the reader is offered the unique opportunity to explore not only the mind but also the heart of a Japanese-American diplomat who “dares” to be proud of his dual heritage. In an age where “diversity” is touted as an important value to uphold, reality does not always live up to the struggles and aspirations of men and women whose very DNA is multicultural and multilingual. Ken Reiman’s passionately told and deeply personal story will inspire all those for whom “duality” is an integral part of who they are, not only as citizens but also as human beings. Society can only benefit from heeding his call to celebrate and utilize such rich human experiences for the good of others—and ultimately, for the creation of a better world—together.”
M. Antoni J. Ucerler, S.J., D.Phil.
Associate Professor of East Asian Studies &
Director, Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History
University of San Francisco
Someone asked me this question recently: what do kids of diplomats do when stuck? Answer: same thing as what their parents frequently do: they ask for help!
Throw away laziness like seeds from a summer watermelon, you don’t need it!
Today’s loss leads to tomorrow’s gain!
