Editorial in the wake of the Japanese tsunami by Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura

5/29/13

Send hope flying to Japan | OPINION - Bellevue Reporter SUBSCRIBE | GREEN EDITIONS | CONTACT US

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Send hope flying to Japan | OPINION DECEMBER 19, 2011 · UPDATED 9:57 AM

The Red-Crowned crane has always been a poignant symbol to me. But in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake in northeastern Japan, this bird seemingly takes flight through my thoughts on a day-to-day basis. Far more than a cheap good-luck charm or mere origami creation, cranes are sacred in Japan. They are called upon in both challenging times and in celebrations, represented through paper origami, on kimono designs and in Japanese bed-time stories (Tsuru no Ongaeshi, or “The Crane Maiden”). This bird is reminiscent of happy times, like my parents' wedding when we folded 1,000 paper cranes to welcome my step-dad into the family and of tragedy that we of Japanese ancestry still mourn.

CHAD COLEMAN, THE BELLEVUE REPORTER

Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura is a staff w riter at the Bellevue

Reporter. Sadako Sasaki, a young Hiroshima girl whose home was wiped away by atomic power, wanted to fold 1,000 cranes in her wish for peace after World War II. “I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world,” she said. But the bomb that had already claimed so many members of her community, family and friends wouldn’t let the 12-year-old girl escape the same fate. The effects of the radiation ended her life before she could finish her self-appointed task.

Now, we are once again confronted with a tragedy, one of the more profoundly destructive events in natural disaster history, with a casualty count already in the thousands. And growing. Capsized oil tankers lay on their sides like giants' discarded toys and 4-month-old babies look unbearably vulnerable, like they could be swept away into the abyss of muddy debris and watery chaos. The photos and video images we see more than 4,000 miles away from Sendai are nightmares in themselves. The reality for Northeastern Japan is unimaginable.

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These days, I’ve been sending my wishes for peace and healing on the wings of these creatures, the same ones that are so loved by the Japanese people and by my ancestors. It doesn’t matter if you pray, meditate, or simply keep the victims in your thoughts. As George Takei put it, in the aftermath of these events we are all Japanese. We can all take refuge in this universal symbol of peace: snowy white with a slender neck, black-tipped wings and a sleek, crimson strip of red feathers atop its head.

Send a message of peace and support to Japan | Here's how SeattleJapanRelief A collaboration of Japanese American and Japan-related cultural, educational, and civic organizations in Seattle and Bellevue. The organization is "standing together to promote relief and recovery following the

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Send hope flying to Japan | OPINION - Bellevue Reporter

devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. We are committed to mobilizing funds quickly in support of immediate relief efforts. We are also steadfast in our resolve to remain involved with long-term recovery efforts." Seattlejapanrelief.org Do Something.org DoSomething.org is appealing to young people throughout the world to share their love and support for the Japanese people with “Paper Cranes for Japan.” The task is simple: Find and upload a photo of an origami paper crane or make one and take a quick picture of it then Upload that photo along with a message of support to the Facebook page “Paper Cranes for Japan.” Dosomething.org “You Can Save Japan,” event, Bellevue College Ongoing fundraising, to continue spring quarter. "We want to come together as students, and friends to be the support group for our brothers and sisters on and off campus. We are honored to have University of Washington Japanese Student Association (JSA) collaborate with us and we would be happy to work with any other universities and colleges who want to get on board." "You Can Save Japan" The American Humane Society Right now animals in Japan are in danger. Here's an opportunity to help. Help provide aid to animal victims of disaster by texting PROTECT to 85944 to donate $10. Americanhumane.org The American Red Cross. Support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Text “RedCross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. American.redcross.org World Vision A Christian humanitarian organization with a staff of 75 in Japan. Easing the emotional and psychological stress of children. Go to www.worldvision.org, call 1-888-562-4453 or text “4Japan” or “4tsunami” to 20222 to donate $10. Worldvision.org Habitat for Humanity Assessing the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and will work with government authorities and other organizations to determine how to help. In the short-term, Habitat for Humanity’s response will include mobilizing volunteers in Japan to work with other organizations in the initial clean-up and relief operation. Call 1-800-HABITAT. Habitat.org Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Distributing emergency cash cards, blankets, scarves, clothes and cards with words of wisdom from Dharma Master Cheng Yen (in Japanese) to disaster survivors in several disaster sites. On March 14, Tzu Chi global headquarters sent the first shipment of goods to Japan, including 5,000 blankets, 400 boxes of instant rice and 100 boxes of nuts. For the first phase of immediate relief, Tzu Chi global headquarters has prepared approximately $1.18 million worth of goods to be sent to Japan in several shipments. Call 1-888-989-8244. Us.tzuchi.org Catholic Relief Services "The people of Japan who have suffered this tragedy are our brothers and sisters," Sean Callahan, vice president of overseas operations said. "Though it is too early to know the exact details of how we will help, we know that it is our mission to aid them in this time of need. As our mission is to serve the world's most poor and vulnerable people, CRS does not normally have a program in Japan. But, just as we did after the Kobe Earthquake in 1995, we will find appropriate partners for the expression of generosity by Catholics in the United States and others of goodwill." Call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Crs.org/japan/ American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee JDC's immediate response includes working with the Jewish Community of Japan to distribute emergency supplies to the hardest-hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures through JEN, a Japanese NGO. JDC is also working with the Afya Foundation to provide a critically needed water shipment. JDC gained substantial disaster expertise following the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, rebuilt a school together with Japan in Kosovo after the 1999 conflict, and worked in Japan until 1941 supporting Jewish refugees in Kobe. Call 212687-6200. Jdc.org The U.S. Fund for UNICEF Re-opening of school activities in time for the new school year (starting early April), with provisions of locally prepared school-in-a-box. Setting up child-friendly spaces with provisions of locally prepared recreation kits. For the above and other sectors (i.e. health, nutrition, education, child protection and logistics). One-hundred percent of donations go toward programs in Japan. However, should U.S. generosity exceed Japan's needs, the remaining dollars will be allocated to assist children most in need around the globe. Call 1-800-367-5437. Unicefusa.org

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Send hope flying to Japan | OPINION - Bellevue Reporter