I was first introduced to the historical figure John Manjiro through a presentation by a student nearly 20 years ago. Who knows why certain people and places remain in your mind? I honestly can’t tell you what any of the other students presented on that day or why he made such an impression. Perhaps it was because he was an unintentional immigrant and I could see parts of my own immigration journey reflected in his experiences? Or maybe it is much simpler. There is a sign for

I try to read as much about Okinawa as possible, and while at the local library researching the history of goat fights, I came across the...