More Than Words and Stories / Jared Kenji Iwata

More Than Words and Stories

By Jared Kenji Iwata

"The importance of knowing where I have come from has become increasingly significant as I search for who I am as a person."

A man gazes at the approaching shore from the bow of a nameless ship. He feels the spray of the Pacific as he dreams of the possibilities of tomorrow. He ponders tales of a world in which "streets are paved with gold" and "every man is rich." He strains to see the cities in this new world called America. As he takes his first step off that nameless boat, he feels the inspiration of the opportunities of a new- found land. He searches a sea of unknown faces to share the joy of a new world. He is my grandfather--Kenichi Iwata.

I grew up hearing tales of my grandfather's life in Japan. My grandfather told these stories to my father and my father recounted these stories to me as a child, just as I will some day to a child of my own. These stories have become more to me than amusing anecdotes to entertain me on long car rides. They have become my cultural identity.

My cultural identity has become more than words in a story or trips to Little Tokyo for **sushi**. The meaning of being a Japanese American encompasses a million different things that transcend pages in a book or paragraphs on a page. My identity as a Japanese American manifests itself in an undying work ethic, deep reverence for my elders and unique sense of pride as I venture into the uncertainty of tomorrow.

My cultural identity means more to me than a classification by nationality. The importance of knowing where I have come from has become increasingly significant as I search for who I am as a person. My time in high school will soon end and my independence in college and beyond await me.

In these times of constant change and notable turmoil, I am forced to confront the questions of "Who I am?" and "What am I to become?" Next semester, college will present me with infinite opportunities to answer these dilemmas. Confusion and indecision plague my conscience with every choice I must make, but there is one thing in which I take comfort. These is one thing I know will not change.

There is one thing I know will not end like the fleeting years of high school. I know I am a Japanese American.

*(Jared Kenji Iwata is a senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.)*



	More Than Words and Stories By Jared Kenji Iwata
	"The importance of knowing where I have come from has become increasingly significant as I search for who I am as a person." A man gazes at the approaching shore from the bow of a nameless ship. He feels the spray of the Pacific as he dreams of the possibilities of tomorrow. He ponders tales of a world in which "streets are paved with gold" and "every man is rich." He strains to see the cities in this new world called America. As he takes his first step off that nameless boat, he feels the inspiration of the opportunities of a new- found land. He searches a sea of unknown faces to share the joy of a new world. He is my grandfather--Kenichi Iwata. I grew up hearing tales of my grandfather's life in Japan. My grandfather told these stories to my father and my father recounted these stories to me as a child, just as I will some day to a child of my own. These stories have become more to me than amusing anecdotes to entertain me on long car rides. They have become my cultural identity. My cultural identity has become more than words in a story or trips to Little Tokyo for sushi. The meaning of being a Japanese American encompasses a million different things that transcend pages in a book or paragraphs on a page. My identity as a Japanese American manifests itself in an undying work ethic, deep reverence for my elders and unique sense of pride as I venture into the uncertainty of tomorrow. My cultural identity means more to me than a classification by nationality. The importance of knowing where I have come from has become increasingly significant as I search for who I am as a person. My time in high school will soon end and my independence in college and beyond await me. In these times of constant change and notable turmoil, I am forced to confront the questions of "Who I am?" and "What am I to become?" Next semester, college will present me with infinite opportunities to answer these dilemmas. Confusion and indecision plague my conscience with every choice I must make, but there is one thing in which I take comfort. These is one thing I know will not change. There is one thing I know will not end like the fleeting years of high school. I know I am a Japanese American. (Jared Kenji Iwata is a senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.)