Role of JET alumni community in this crisis
Earthquake Tsunami, Uncategorized 
Comments Off on Role of JET alumni community in this crisis
There was an article in the NY Times earlier this week saying there has not been a large response from the Japanese community in NYC, because it’s not as big as other ethnic communities in NYC and because many members are here for short periods to work for their companies, etc.
But that article didn’t understand this important fact: We–the JET alumni community of 55,000+ worldwide–we are part of the Japanese expat community.
So when the media talk about the Japanese community in the world, they need to factor in the JET alumni. Because we all have a lifetime connection to Japan no matter what else we do in life, and in our minds we are all Japanese. We are hurting like hell and we are also helping.
JET alumni are doing amazing things right now to organize and mobilize resources, funding, translations, information and volunteers. Through the JET Alumni Association. Through independent efforts. And also through the roles established JET alumni already play in myriad organizations and companies that are supporting Japan.
In addition to these efforts, part of our role as JET alumni is to engage the people around us in our home country so that they understand and feel connected to Japan. So that they understand and are aware of ways they can help. Cultural outreach is one of the most important ways that JET alumni can help right now.
Minasan, ganbatte kudasai.
Comments are closed.