Important Distinction

Patrick Goldstein’s “Snow Falling on Cedars” article (“All the Writing Here Was Re-Rewriting,” Dec. 12) stumbles into the same mistake as the filmmakers by neglecting to make the important distinction between Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans.

Goldstein makes references to the “Japanese internment camp” and a “Japanese fisherman” without ever recognizing the fact that the story is about second-generation Japanese Americans, who were born and raised in America. Likewise, the filmmakers cast Youki Kudoh, an actress from Japan, as the lead. Kudoh’s character is a second-generation Japanese American who was born in the United States and grew up in the U.S., yet she delivers her dialogue with a noticeable Japanese accent. By casting an actress who is obviously not an American, the filmmakers have ignored and further confused this very important distinction.

Asian Americans are still struggling to be recognized as real Americans and not as the perpetual foreigners they are often portrayed as in the mainstream media. Kudoh’s casting only underscores the mind-set that no matter how many accomplishments and honors are garnered by the numerous generations of Asian Americans living in this nation, they are still not regarded as bona-fide Americans. We hope that in the future, the media is more sensitive in their portrayals of these two very distinct groups.

KEN KWOK

Vice President, Media Action

Network for Asian Americans

Rosemead