Loco in Yokohama’s 4th Anniversary
Dear Readers,
This weekend I celebrate Loco in Yokohama’s fourth birthday, and I just wanted to take out a moment to thank all my readers, followers, commenters and supporters. You guys have made the experience of being a “Japan blogger” one I will always cherish.
First Banner (2008-2009)
I still remember fondly the day I started this blog. I was enjoying a little success on my first blog, Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, a blog I dedicated to all things Obama during his initial presidential run, when I decided it was a good time for a spin off.
Second Banner (2009-2011)
There was quite a bit of covert and overt racism during that race, as you guys may recall, coming from not only the republicans but from the democrats as well…even Hillary Clinton wasn’t above insinuating, through proxies and innuendo that Obama wouldn’t even stand a chance if he weren’t black and tapping into the white guilt vote.
There was also a great deal of unconscious racism and, dare I say it, microaggressions being flung around during that campaign, and those are what were caused me to draw comparisons between what Barack was going through over there and what I was experiencing over here.
I was very impressed with how Barack stood up to it all, kept his wits about him and his anger in check. At first I wondered if it even affected him at all, he was so tranquil and focused. But, I knew, particularly after he gave the speech below in response to attacks on him that he was “un-American” for associating with a man who had been labeled a racist by the media, that he had indeed been affected. In this speech he managed to channel that anger into something productive not only to his campaign but for the psyche of the entire nation–at least for those who bothered to listen (it wasn’t as publicized, discussed or dissected as some of his other speeches were, for reasons that I can only speculate on). See for yourself:
To me, this is the most important, intimate and incisive speech he’s made in his political career and brings me to tears every time I listen to it. It goes without saying it’s the most poignant I’ve heard in my lifetime about racism in the US and more importantly in the hearts and minds of us all, and assuring me that he was the leader America desperately needed, and providing a bit of healing for my ailing heart.
It was the above speech as well as several other incidents and responses to incidents that lead me to Loco in Yokohama, and eventually to my book.
It’s been four years now, just as it has been for Obama…Will he have four more? Who knows…I hope so, for America’s sake.
Will Loco in Yokohama have four more? Again, who knows…
To be honest, while writing retains its thrill and appeal, blogging — particularly about Japan and the joys and challenges of living here — is a constant struggle. One I haven’t given up on.
I cherish your support of Loco in Yokohama, as I share my joys and confront these challenges and transcribe them for you to the best of my ability. It uplifts me and fills me with an abiding gratitude as I take this personal journey to being a better a human being.
And your support of my book, as well, overwhelms me.
Thank you so much.
Love,
Loco
…
Raw Like Sushi
Gooday again.
“Tempus fugit” and all that (hmm in Nihongo?).
Anyway, thanks for the insight and humour in your blog so far.
Here’s to another 4 great years of insights into life, Japan and Yokohama!
Owen.
Thanks man! I’ll try to hang in there
Congrats!
I remember when it was black grey red and white…your first template? I liked it so much I stole it
Thank you sir! Cats like you made it all worthwhile
Congratulations on four years! I look forward to more posts in the future! Hopefully, another book too!
Thanks Mandy, for all the support
Happy anniversary, Loco! Keep doing what you’re doing! (*^_^)v
Congo rats to you, sir. Keeping to a task/hobby is incredibly difficult to continue for as long as you have. Especially when you don’t get paid for doing it. I know. I have had at least two different long term hobbies over the years. The first i put on hiatus five years ago, and the second is coming up on the two year mark in January. Keep it up, Yo.
Congrats on four years!! I’m looking forward to more
I’ve only recently started checking you out, but I am in the process of archive binging you. I’m interested in what you have to say and I hope you keep it up, but even if you decided to pack it in tomorrow you’d have accomplished something pretty great ^^
Pretty sure that 4 years is a good innings for any blog and no one would hold it against you if you decided you’d said enough through this medium. Sometimes you have to leave them wanting more, isn’t that how it goes? Still, hope you’ll be around for a while longer, as much for your wonderful photography as your writing.
Thanks Mawb!!