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Everything is Culturalized, Everything is Racialized, and You’re Mixed

Everything is Culturalized, Everything is Racialized, and You’re Mixed

Every action, every opinion, every object carries implicit and explicit meanings. Now more than ever, “being something” matters. People are…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
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Shame on You

Shame on You

I’m jealous of polyglots. They’re god damn amazing.
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable Doubt

A couple months ago I learned what it’s like to be a prostitute. Or, more specifically, what it means to be used. I’m sitting in a…
Go to the profile of Nyon Smith
Nyon Smith
Hey Bro, Are You Oriental?

Hey Bro, Are You Oriental?

Language is a tricky business. There are words, and then there are intentions. Plenty gets lost in translation, even when everyone is…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
There’s A lot in Silence

There’s A lot in Silence

One of my experiences that I have difficulty while communicating with others is the idea of ‘ma’ (closest translation would be space). When…
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Lena Kelly
You Win Some, You Dim Sum

You Win Some, You Dim Sum

Dim Sum may be the greatest food, ever.
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James.Nagaremono
I’m Asian. Let’s Be Friends.

I’m Asian. Let’s Be Friends.

A stranger recently approached me in a restaurant. “I’m sorry, but there aren’t many of ‘us’ … do you live nearby?” My friends looked up…
Go to the profile of Jennifer Ghymn
Jennifer Ghymn
Ohashi ha

Ohashi ha

My family doesn’t really have heirlooms. It’s not that we don’t care about culture, our identity just isn’t tied to materialism. Plus, we…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Modern Medicine

Modern Medicine

I went through major depression when I returned from working overseas. All the In-and-Out burgers I’d been deprived of couldn’t fix the…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Coffee and Culture

Coffee and Culture

I do not fit in with the Japanese American community in Los Angeles. I moved out of Japan at a young age and barely remember my life there…
Go to the profile of Lena Kelly
Lena Kelly
Designer Baby

Designer Baby

My mother is of Swedish descent — 5'11", blonde hair, green eyes. She modeled a for a little while in high school. To this day, she can’t…
Go to the profile of Jessica 吉弘 Martinez
Jessica 吉弘 Martinez
Sakura

Sakura

It was spring, and the cherry blossoms around our home on the island of Shikoku were in full bloom.
Go to the profile of Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
I’m Not Your Friend, Friend

I’m Not Your Friend, Friend

Strangers strike up conversations for a few reasons: (a) they’re curious, (b) they’re nervous, or (c) they’re both. Usually, it’s both.
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Nice Beanie

Nice Beanie

I spent the Winter Break of 8th grade sitting in an RV in white-white rural California. My grandmother passed away a few months prior so…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
First Date/Last Date

First Date/Last Date

My brother set me up with one of his friends before I moved to LA. She was close with my future roommate and shared my interest in…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
First Day Struggles

First Day Struggles

As shy kid, the first day of school was always nerve wracking. I especially hated having to do anything that brought attention to myself…
Go to the profile of Jessica 吉弘 Martinez
Jessica 吉弘 Martinez
Don’t Speak Japanese

Don’t Speak Japanese

One of my favorite books growing up was Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan’s Chinese New Year. I read it so many times the front cover came off. The…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Driver’s License Identification, Please!

Driver’s License Identification, Please!

When I was 19, I decided it was time to get my driver’s license. Finally, I would have tangible proof of my driving abilities and a literal…
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Kid Ink
My Elvis Blues

My Elvis Blues

When I was ten years old we moved to Dalton, a small town in Western Massachusetts. The kids were really fascinated by me, because they’d…
Go to the profile of Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
What is The Mixed Message?

What is The Mixed Message?

About Us
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James.Nagaremono
Yes Ma’am, I go to Church

Yes Ma’am, I go to Church

My family is religiously unconventional.
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Kouhii No Monogatari Daiichi— Tales of Coffee (Part 1)

Kouhii No Monogatari Daiichi— Tales of Coffee (Part 1)

I am partial to Asian baristas.
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Battlefield: Playground

Battlefield: Playground

Kids are cruel because they don’t understand the consequences of mimicking adult behaviors.
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James.Nagaremono
You’re Adopted

You’re Adopted

I don’t really look like my mother. She’s a 5 foot tall pale white woman with a pronounced bridge on her nose and curly grey hair. The only…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Screwed Down Hairdos

Screwed Down Hairdos

Finding a barber is a chore. It’s right up there with dentists and mechanics. Beyond technical competence, there has to be a good fit in…
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
Dorm

Dorm

Everyone in college is trying to find themselves. Some people just try way too hard.
Go to the profile of James.Nagaremono
James.Nagaremono
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