Sameness forced

No Madness TV based in New York City
　　http://www.nomadnesstv.com
mentioned this.

Since Evita the Editor used to live in
Japan, she knows what it's like --

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　Japanese boxer turned activist for kids...
　　　　Tuesday, September 13, 2011

My friend Mieko told me I had to get in
touch with Eiji my last few weeks in Japan.
He lives in Tokyo and was a boxer who
took his fight outside the ring, and into
classrooms as a motivational speaker for
kids both domestic and abroad.

During my last two weeks in Japan, based
out of Tokyo, I linked with Eiji and his family
for lunch and had a conversation with a man
I consider a gentle giant.
For years, Eiji transitioned from boxing into
a believer in dreams.

He started a YouTube channel that was
based around interviewing people around
the world, but especially in Japan, on what
it's like to live a life following your dreams,
and seeing them come true.
He was intrigued by my story, and along
with an interview in the hotel lobby,
he also offered over being my book agent
rep in Tokyo once my memoir is finished.
He'd get it translated and all.
Such a giving person, not looking for
anything in return.

What is so important about people like Eiji,
in Japan, is that Japan is a country built
on sameness.

Their saying "The nail that sticks out
farthest, is the one that can get beat
down" encapsulates this idea.

I saw it a lot in the school system when
I worked there.
It broke my heart, but was something as
a 'gaijin' I had to just swallow and accept.
This is not my home country.
But for Eiji, it is. He knows what it's like in
this country and for these students,
and he has a voice they understand and
would listen to. For that, I've always
respected his plight.

The above article, for Peacemakers News,
is a commemoration of not only the 6 month
mark of the tsunami and earthquake on 3/11,
but also our 10 year anniversary of 9/11,
as well. Eiji was noted for traveling to NYC
on 9/11/01 and helping to find survivors of
the tragedy. Since then his message has
been to bring love and peace, not war.

Glad to have people like this
in my corner, in Nippon.