First of all, I want to start by wishing all Black Eye readers a happy new year. Thank you for your ongoing support of me and my "little column that could." One of my favorite things about writing it is that I've had the chance to interact with so many types of people, and I appreciate every one of you.
In fact, the other day I connected with one such Japanese acquaintance regarding the kind of topics that I cover. The email, which I'll include a written snippet of here with the author's permission, read:
"At a networking party in 2019 the following occurred: One of the attendees, a Japanese man, asked a woman, 'Are you a hāfu?' The woman responded by explaining her background, that she was indeed a hāfu. Another attendee, a young woman, said, 'Being hāfu is so cool! I envy you!'