Gaikokujin The Story Hip Hop Race and Pursuing the American Dream edition by Takuan Amaru Literature Fiction eBooks
Download As PDF : Gaikokujin The Story Hip Hop Race and Pursuing the American Dream edition by Takuan Amaru Literature Fiction eBooks 
外黒人 is a spiritual rags to riches adventure. I have been blessed to live a ‘storybook life’ but not in any glamorous way. Writing this book has allowed me to examine my role as a person of color—which I refer to as ‘melanin-rich’—in a society which has proven itself to be hostile toward non-Caucasian people. Because this is part memoir, part historical treatise, and part survivor’s guide, it is my intention to stretch the parameters of a conventional novel.
In Japanese, the word Gai-koku-jin, literally meaning outside-country-person; i.e., foreigner, is traditionally written as「外国人」. I, however, am coining terminology by replacing the middle character with「黒」, which is pronounced identically but means ‘black’ instead of country. Not only does this symbolize my own cultural perspective, but it also represents a set of circumstances which is not limited to any race or country.
Book 1 of this trilogy is told through the eyes of a confused child. A stranger in my own home, like so many neglected children, I found a surrogate family in the street—mainly at our neighborhood basketball courts. After learning how to ‘make a dollar out of fifteen cents,’ I was headed down a tried-and-true path for disaster until, ironically, a Beast and a Serpent came to my rescue.
Gaikokujin The Story Hip Hop Race and Pursuing the American Dream edition by Takuan Amaru Literature Fiction eBooks
Being of a different generation than the author, I was somewhat pensive as I began to read his life story. What could I possibly learn? I learned a lot! Mr. Amaru has had a fascinating life and has told his story well. He peeked by interest, held it, and left me wanting the next installment—right now! The thing that impressed me the most in his telling of his story is how it helped me identify long forgotten personal issues that I had to maneuver through during my youth. Because Mr. Amaru was able to captivate me, I recommend this book. It is a good read.Product details
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Gaikokujin The Story Hip Hop Race and Pursuing the American Dream edition by Takuan Amaru Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
This well written fictional account explores race relationships and the drug culture in America as seen through the eyes of Takuan Amaru, the son of an African American father and a Japanese mother. The author explores the assumptions and stereotypes reinforced by society, which can have a detrimental influence on one’s perception of self and the world. As the story evolves, we witness the trials and tribulations Takuan faces during his adolescent years. Thinking he has all the answers, he begins to engage in illegal drug dealing but his continuous attempts to get over may soon catch up with him. The narrative reflects not only some of American’s ills but the world at large when it comes to the issues that affect people of color on a day by day basis.
AfroAsian author, teacher and youth advocate specialist Takuan Amaru has published over 100 articles ranging on such diverse topics as popular culture / music, ancient spirituality and philosophy. A number of extreme life experiences during his travels have evolved Takuan into a sort of multi-cultural, Renaissance man. Takuan borrows from his various former careers as a paratrooper, social worker, athlete, music artist, and teacher to connect with readers on a very intimate level. He makes his home in Nagoya, Japan.
One of the most intriguing and timely books to come before the public at this particular moment in history GAIKOKUJIN is the life and accompanying world outlook of the erudite Takuan. He braces the reader for his book in his introductory pages, some of which include ‘While steering clear of embarrassing anyone other than myself, this survivor’s guide has been written for sincere people trying to make sense of the world we live in. The brutally honest perspectives I express are due to the wonderful (and not so wonderful) people and situations I found myself involved in. Transcending the boundaries of the box called society—which has been dubbed “The Matrix” by the conscious community—my quest for self-worth and redemption defies the logic and reasoning that today’s world has come to accept as normal. Throughout my journey, especially in my times of need, I learned to depend on a dynamic energy-force which, bizarre as it may sound, appeared out of nowhere. Because this entity always showed up in my most desperate moments, and only to protect me, I assumed it was my guardian angel. Barely averting disaster time and again, I eventually became disgusted with my rock-bottom existence and began searching for the missing link in my life God. After sifting through the seemingly endless religious options at Ft. Bragg, I realized each house of worship was just a different version of Christianity. This did not surprise me because it is no secret that military installations are saturated with chapels and cathedrals of the various sects. Having no alternative, I immersed myself in a non-denominational church to give thanks to Jesus...hallelujah!’ ‘It took almost two years but in the course of time my angelic protector gradually led me away from the “Synagogue of Satan.” Taking small steps, little by little, it never stopped performing its divine alchemy; and just like the biblical parable of turning water into wine, it spun my orthodox circumstances into an opportunity to illustrate the infinite power of the universe. At that time, I didn’t know the Sanskrit word, Kundalini, meant a “coiled power” which resided at the base of the spine. Or, if this vital force traveled upward it resulted in achieving Christ Consciousness. Thus, I never suspected the benign apparition lending me a helping hand was none other than my Higher Self. ‘
Takuan explains, Writing this book has allowed me to examine my role as a person of color—which I refer to as ‘melanin-rich’—in a society which has proven itself to be hostile toward non-Caucasian people. Because this is part memoir, part historical treatise, and part survivor’s guide, it is my intention to stretch the parameters of a conventional novel. In Japanese, the word Gai-koku-jin, literally meaning outside-country-person; i.e., foreigner. Book 1 of this trilogy is told through the eyes of a confused child. A stranger in my own home, like so many neglected children, I found a surrogate family in the street—mainly at our neighborhood basketball courts. After learning how to ‘make a dollar out of fifteen cents,’ I was headed down a tried-and-true path for disaster until, ironically, a Beast and a Serpent came to my rescue.’
And from the body of this fascinating book we read, ‘Growing up on military bases was cool. All of them were virtually the same no pollution, lots of parks, and loads of children to play with. Following the Vietnam War, McGuire Air Force Base became one of the military installations designated for racially-mixed-couple marriages; so once we moved there all of my friends were multiracial. Though most of my playmate’s fathers were black, their mothers usually hailed from Korea, the Philippines, or somewhere in Europe. ‘
Few writers have the particular experiences that Takuan brings to this memoir. Read it carefully and thoroughly and a more intense understanding of racism and what is ahead of us in creating global harmony will likely not be available soon. Grady Harp, November 16
I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it.
I live in Oakland, CA, the home of jazz, but also a major hub of black life in the USA, on the West coast. I'm white. So, my experience of black life is as a spectator. I can't readily identify with what Mr. Amaru states in Book One of his tale. His language I've heard often, but don't relate to. The cliches of what a black young man is are reiterated over and over in this neck of the woods, but what comes across are angry young men who have foul mouths, even to their mothers and mothers to sons. Riding the bus here is an education in urban mixing and the uneducated. And, I've never had an interest in baseball or basketball, so I pretty much glided over the initial jive of spins and turns at the basketball court that Amaru relates.
That being said, I feel I'm at a loss to give a review of the content of Mr. Amaru's book, other than a brief but sincere nod of hope for him. The reader is left at the end of the book envisioning Amaru's entrance into the military, an establishment of lots of angry young men and a “school” of relentless bullying, each competing to be the top alpha. I wonder how he survived. Amaru is pretty consistent in relating his tale as if the reader understands the dynamic of black life. He seems to take it for granted that we know what all the jargon means, the “ghetto” talk. (I hate glosseries.) We only get fleeting glimpses of the fact he is also Japanese.
What I did relate to was the dynamic between father and son, for I had an abusive father. From my with friends and in my coaching practice with men I have found that many, if not most, men have had troublesome relations with their fathers. The lack of loyal, compassionate, loving, mentoring fathers in this country seems to be sorely lacking. Maybe the next generations of fathers will be different. This dynamic, however, Amaru does not explore in this first of his Trilogy. To say I loved my father is a truth, but one that was only acknowledged after I got sober and started my own adventures in living life “one day at a time”. It is more accurate to say I wish my father had known how to love me. Is this true in the black community, or the community of men of color?
Will I read Book Two and Book Three? Not sure yet. I think if Takuan goes much deeper into his feelings/experiences with Buddha resolve, with the precision of a surgeon's knife, tackling (sports metaphor) the issue of race relations, and relate those to the reader, then I will certainly be reading the remainder of his Trilogy.
A great read and real insight. I can recommend this book to anyone that wants to look behind the curtain of race from the authors perspective. I have already recommended it to my friends and family.
I really enjoyed this novel! A funny, contemplative, and at times serious look at the author's early life stories. Each story keep me turning the pages to see what happens next. I was so engaged in the stories, I was practically able to finish the book during a trans-pacific flight to the US. I look forward to book 2!
Being of a different generation than the author, I was somewhat pensive as I began to read his life story. What could I possibly learn? I learned a lot! Mr. Amaru has had a fascinating life and has told his story well. He peeked by interest, held it, and left me wanting the next installment—right now! The thing that impressed me the most in his telling of his story is how it helped me identify long forgotten personal issues that I had to maneuver through during my youth. Because Mr. Amaru was able to captivate me, I recommend this book. It is a good read.
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