EPISODE 14 🌺 Solidarity & Movement Building

Step into the intersection where identity, activism, and solidarity converge in a powerful conversation on this episode of the Ichariba Choodee podcast. Join host Mariko Middleton and guest speakers Bean Yogi, JJ Ueunten, and Matt Miyagi Tuten as they explore the rich tapestry of Okinawan identity and its intersections with indigeneity and political organizing.

In this episode, our guests take us on a journey through their personal paths to activism, woven through the vibrant threads of queer and indigenous communities. Drawing from their Okinawan heritage, they illuminate how their cultural roots shape their commitment to collective liberation.

Prepare to dive deep as the conversation navigates through various political landscapes and settler colonialism while shining a light on the path to Palestinian liberation. Discover actionable strategies, such as BDS, that empower listeners to engage in meaningful activism right in their own communities. However, it's not just about politics—it's about finding community in shared struggles and embracing the digital realm as a space for impactful resistance. Tune in and join the movement as we explore the power of solidarity and the journey to meaningful change.


Photo used with permission: Mari Megumi, Seiji Igei, and Laura Kina

Om Podcasten

Okinawan.  Ryukyuan.  Loochooan. There are many more names for the peoples of these islands. Hear the many voices and stories of those identifying as Shimanchu or Uchinaanchu. Celebrating and preserving our culture, connecting the diaspora, and both proudly and humbly educating and learning along the way. Hosted by Mariko Middleton, Erica Kunihisa, and Tori Toguchi. Ichariba Choodee is a beautiful Ryukyuan saying translating roughly to, 'When we meet, we become brothers, sisters, family.'