Kindness Is…Blog

Janice Munemitsu Janice Munemitsu

“Seima 125.”

125 years ago, my grandpa, Seima Munemitsu, was born in Japan and later immigrated to America, where he became a farmer and was unjustly interned during WWII. Despite everything, he never became bitter. He was kind, hardworking, and loved by his community.

Today, he'd be amazed by how far Japanese Americans have come—seeing sushi everywhere, Japanese faces on TV and in sports, and players like Shohei Ohtani in the World Series. Grandpa never talked about the wrongs he faced, but he would be proud to see his story still inspiring others. Happy 125, Grandpa—thank you for everything.

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Janice Munemitsu Janice Munemitsu

Graduations, Hugs, and Acts of Kindness

I was invited to Fountain Valley High School's Day of Dialogue, a day focussed on conversations about diversity and inclusion on the campus. I was invited to speak to 6 classes on The Kindness of Color and how collaboration can bring positive change for all. I expected that I would be talking to US history classes, but the day turned out even better than I would have hoped!

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Janice Munemitsu Janice Munemitsu

The Women Who Shaped Me and American History

March is Women’s History Month! It started out as a week-long celebration in 1982 and grew to a whole week of honoring women in 1987, authorized by the U.S. Congress. Better late than never, in this month-long recognition of the significant impact women have made throughout U.S. history certainly, I want to recognize the many women who made history in the true story of The Kindness of Color.

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Janice Munemitsu Janice Munemitsu

Executive Order 9066: A Survivor’s Story

Eighty years ago this month, on February 20, 1942, President F.D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. History would prove that there was never any spy activity by these US citizens and residents of Japanese heritage, but on that day, February 20, 1942, Executive Order raised suspicion and falsely accused my grandparents and dad because of their name and the color of their skin.

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 The Kindness of Color all started with story-telling and we want to continue to share kindness through this collection of writing!

Here we will share updates on the book, and new stories - yours and ours - as together we cultivate kindness.