Don was a native son of East LA–a scholar and activist, colleague and friend. Always, a curious & passionate explorer.
He crossed the LA River to seek out other communities, other nations, other worlds.
He talked as he walked through the brave new world – post WW2 Internment, post-Orwellian 1984, post 9/11.
He saw how minorities were crucial to international politics–as they often were the intrepid counterpoint, the dissenting voice, the No-No Boy.
As he once told me, Why is it that we (Asian Americans) are often like the nail that juts out, thereby taking the heat?
His life and accomplishments were the answer to his own wry observation.
Salute, Don. Guess I’ll need to take a raincheck on our usual meatless lunch in Thai town.
– Russell Leong
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