As of Today Yoshida Yui will no longer be managing the Asian Group.

[yuiyoshida]

After A long run on DU, both Juju and I are leaving. We have tried our best to educate people about Asian culture and have found there is little interest in it. The response to Letters to Asian girls, is what finally made me decide to pull the plug and move on. Its been an interesting experience but it has proven to me, that it makes absolutely no difference here. I may come back in a year, and see if there have been any changes, but I am not expecting much, and I fully expect to see far less than what I tried to do.

I am horrified that the Asians on this website have decided to hide in the shadows and not reveal themselves, for fear of being attacked or harassed. I have received messages here telling me mostly that I am wasting my time trying to educate people about Asian culture, that it falls on deaf ears. The music I had posted went unappreciated, the postings about Asian culture, life and even language, but that's over now.

Thank you to those few who have supported this group, and good luck to those in the future who become mods here. You will need it.

I will continue to support Democratic causes, but not here. I can do it on twitter.

さよなら。

吉田ゆい

[brush]

1. I appeciate you. Love the music and the videos of food tasting. Don't go.

[madaboutharry]

2. I'm sorry you decided this.

I often opened your threads and enjoyed them very much. I didn't reply but I always found them interesting. I'll miss your posts. I hope you will change your mind.

Be well.

May I ask what your name is on twitter?

[yuiyoshida]

3. You can find me at

@Yuiyoshida1987 and Juju is @Jujudestroyer.

[lunasun]

20. Thanks I will check you and juju on twitter & also catch when you drop in here occasionally

[JI7]

4. Most Groups are just not that Active Right Now. i suggest maybe take a break from posting

but don't leave DU.

i use to spend more time in groups until Trump came into office and even outside of DU i spend less time reading and doing other things i enjoy because so much attention goes to the mess from the white house.

[Hoyt]

5. For what its worth, I have enjoyed your posts and efforts. Take care.

[world wide wally]

6. Take care, Yuly

I always enjoyed your posts

[FM123]

7. I haven't been here on DU as long as some of the others...

But I have enjoyed your posts, and especially your music videos - thank you, and I hope you come back someday.

[lapfog_1]

8. I, for one, am going to miss your posts

I didn't post many replies to your threads simply because I rarely had anything to add.

But I still clicked on all of them.

[Skittles]

9. yo everyone

read it here

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210422037

it is quite eye-opening indeed

[Locrian]

39. wow - that's pretty amazing /nt

[pangaia]

10. I am really sorry to see you go.

Even if i do not reply often, you have always been one of my favorite people here, actually maybe just My favorite person period.

I remember when you first introduced Juju to DU people. I thought that was... a very special thing to do.

I wish you both the very best.





Pangaia

[Wednesdays]

11. Thank you for your service.

Last edited Wed Mar 28, 2018, 09:43 AM - Edit history (2)

:salute:

Arigatou gozaimasu.

I always thought your posts to be informative, even if I didn't always respond directly.

[procon]

12. I'll miss your posts.

I I read a lot of them, enjoyed the videos, learned some interesting things, appreciated the cultural insights. I posted a few comments, but mostly just quietly absorbed things that often led to click throughs to other interesting things Asian. I know so little about Asian culture, although it's all exotic and intriguing to me, I tend to avoid the embarrassment of having my ignorance exposed.

I'll miss seeing the different things you offered, and hope you might realize there are many of us "lookers" out here who are silent fans and would like to see you stay.

[yuiyoshida]

14. i may pop in to say hi to some friends here

I only made a few, most never expressed any interest.... but thank you for kind words. I wish people would read LETTERS TO ASIAN GIRLS. Maybe they will get what she is saying. It touched my heart, which is why the response was such a vast disappointment.

[procon]

17. If you go back and look at your posts, check the number of views you got.

Many people stop in to read, but they don't add a comment -- for many reasons -- but don't be disappointed. All those hundreds of viewers stopped to read, to look, to see what you have to say, and that is a huge accomplishment. Don't forget about us, you really do have a lot of silent fans that follow your posts.

[Locrian]

40. that describes me: low posts - been here 2001

I read a LOT - but seldom post

A Letter to Asian Girls by Caroline Wang = was amazing

[WheelWalker]

13. I have enjoyed your presence here. There will be loss with your leaving. Blessings.

[MrScorpio]

15. Kicking for more to read

[longship]

16. Please don't go.

I visit many of your threads. They are always informative.
Thanks for that.

[subterranean]

18. Thank you for all your efforts. おつかれさまです！

I'm not Asian myself, but I did look at your Japan-related posts sometimes. Sorry that you're leaving.

[deurbano]

19. No, no, no. I saw your post and read the linked letter and all the responses to the author...

but just haven't had time to post about it. Really, I'm about to fall asleep even now but wanted you to know it was (and you are) much appreciated. I am a white mom of an adopted Asian daughter, and while we live in SF, and my daughter has only gone to school where Asian-American students are the plurality or majority (with many Asian teachers)... and she speaks Chinese fairly well (she's actually from Vietnam, but she and her Caucasian brother rebelled against VN Saturday school since they were already immersed in Mandarin during the school week, so unfortunately neither of them speak any Vietnamese, but we have developed ties with the Vietnamese community in SF and with families of children adopted from VN)... and we live in a neighborhood with a lot of Asian families (and a lot of Asian restaurants)... and she has a lot of Asian and biracial Asian/Caucasian friends... I, of course, still worry about the hateful ignorance and prejudice she may encounter, or may have already encountered but not conveyed. I also worry about whether she feels caught between two cultures (even though she seems satisfied with the mix), and I mourn what she has lost of her original culture and homeland. So, I read the letter and responses with great personal interest.

Your voice and insights and posts are important to me. I'm not a big poster (I've been at DU since 2002!), and sometimes I even forget to 'Rec', so don't take that as any measure of the value you provide!

[yuiyoshida]

24. well I wonder if you will let your daughter read Letters to Asian girls?

The woman who wrote it was Australian, and even though she is DOWN UNDER, most of us Westernized Asians, run into the same thing. Even on this website. I am sorry, but I have really made my decision. The lack of response to such a heart felt written message, (and I have experienced a lot of it on my travels, so I know what she is talking about.) here on DU is what really prompted me to make the decision that my time is past due here. That and the fact that there are many who hide their ethnicity, and do hold back waiting to see what happens to me, is probably another, and you know, that's not even the first straw... this goes back to the time I was reported on for typing a message in Japanese, and told "We speak english, here! If you want to type in Japanese go to a Japanese website." .. I will never forget that.

[deurbano]

30. I am very sorry to have you leave.

I understand she is from Australia. I was contrasting her experience with my daughter's experience of being a minority (racially) in our family, but in the plurality or majority in school, etc.. (whereas my white son was always in the minority until college)... and that while that gives my daughter a certain advantage the young woman who wrote the letter didn't have (she was the only Asian kid in her school, her home language and foods were made fun of, etc.), I know that even in a more culturally diverse environment, my daughter is still vulnerable to the same racism and ignorance... and to the fetishization and other repugnant treatment Asian women can face from white men... so it is important for her parents (and for her) to hear the perspective of other Asian women... in the same way way we sought out the perspective of women with disabilities for our older daughter who is disabled. So, thank you for your post about this letter. In your opinion, how old should my daughter be to read the letter?

Geez, I am so sorry anyone at DU would tell you something so disgusting! I've seen things written in German, Spanish, French, Russian... just off the top of my head. Double standard?

I hope you come back soon.

[yuiyoshida]

32. The age is what ever you think is best...

Sometimes we have to explain especially to kids, that people use horrible language, and I purposely left out that language in my posting but the main letter is not afraid to express that.

Also in the age of "TRUMP".. we should expect to hear more about those kinds of things.

I found it amusing that there was an article I came across about an Young White American male who was in Bangkok, Thailand and decided to just go up and grope a Thai woman. What he didn't expect, was she was trained in Muay Thai, Thai Boxing, and so were her girl friends, All of whom had just left their Boxing class, and they beat him so badly, he will probably think twice about doing it again.

[uppityperson]

21. I appreciate your posts, you've made a difference for many of us who don't reply much

Best wishes to you

[MLAA]

22. I enjoyed many of your posts.

[DarthDem]

23. That's Too Bad

I very much enjoyed your posts.

[TDale313]

25. So sad to hear this.

I’m not the most active poster, but I always enjoyed your posts and valued what you brought to DU. I am truly sorry to see you go.

[4now]

26. I have enjoyed your posts

I don't usually have much to say but I was always happy to see your posts.
As a matter of fact thanks to one of your posts I am now hopelessly addicted to Indomie noodles and was thinking about you while I was eating my lunch today.
Good luck.

[applegrove]

27. Don't go. Take a break. A breather. You are an important part of

This discussion forum. And i think most people are too busy reacting to Trump and trying to make sense of that to expand their horizons.

[onecaliberal]

28. Im so sorry. Its truly our loss.

[secondwind]

29. I am sorry you are leaving. I also have enjoyed reading your posts.

I love your personality and sense of humor. You will be missed.

[NBachers]

31. You've always added your own special flair, content, & perspective here. You add life to a sometimes

bleak or stressful Democratic Underground. I look forward to your posts and comments. Our pages will fade to a colder hue when you're gone.

But, I support you in whatever direction you want to pursue. I hope only the best for you and Juju. Thanks for the time you've spent here with us.

[PoiBoy]

33. I will miss you as well...

..I just commented on one of your older music posts just a little while ago, and it saddens me to know that you will be leaving...

I enjoyed your celebration of Asian culture... your enthusiasm will be missed... just remember to Malama Honua...

[yuiyoshida]

34. mahalo nui loa iā ʻoe!

thank you. Aloha.

[LovingA2andMI]

35. Many Things Have Changed In The Age of Drump

Lines between Race, Privilege and the lack of decorum on both, have become a strange twist in where minorities are feeling second and worst places in the back of the line or back of the bus, yet again.

It is truly a crying shame especially when nine short years ago, this Country elected an African-American President and some believed by doing so, America had erased its long racist past. Nothing can be further from the truth and the election (or backlash -- which is the proper term) of Drump is the result.

The result of those with selected Race and Privilege demanding their "assumed rightful place" in the front of the line -- which is a lie manifested in the chains of America's highly racist history to all who are a minority.

Today, another Black-American Man Family, Alton Sterling, had to hear another so-called Attorney General that his Life Did Not Matter as his family could not even receive the decently of a Jury Trail.

Reading the article you posted, what comes up in a sad feeling of how no matter the race of those who are defined by this Racist Nation as a minority, many of the feelings and daily struggles -- are the same. Especially, in today troubled times.

This Sometimes poster with miss your posts, insights, opinions, and strength.

Just Remember, what is wrong with this Nation is not you -- instead, it is deeply rooted in History and sadly, this Nation's soul.

[mahina]

36. Aloha oe Yuiyoshida. I will miss you tremendously.

So sad to read your experiences.

Thank you for all you have done for DU. You will leave a very big empty space.

A hui hou. See you again.

[ms liberty]

37. I'm sorry you're leaving. I understand, though

I always have found your posts enjoyable and informative. DU is not what it once was, unfortunately.

[mucifer]

38. I have enjoyed your posts and am sad you are leaving.

[Docreed2003]

41. Your voice will be missed...

I understand and appreciate your need to take a break, but hope it is a short lived absence. I have thoroughly enjoyed many of your posts.

[randr]

42. This saddens me and I will miss you

[MaryMagdaline]

43. I am so sorry. I just read Letter to Asian Girls

It was a great eye-opener. I had no idea that Asian women experienced such vile attacks. I am interested in reading more. I did not comment because I did not want my ignorance to cause others more pain.

I hope you reconsider. There may be others like me who read, but don't comment.

[Old Crow]

44. Ow. It's painful to read this and to have to accept this news.

I think you may be touching more lives out there than you know. For me, you're one of the best people on Democratic Underground, and that isn't even addressing your work with the Asian Group. If I feel this way, I suspect there are at least two or three dozen others who feel the same. They may simply lurk from the shadows; they may not even have registered yet at DU. But good spirits like yours touch people, make no mistake.

While I hope you'll reconsider, I'm supportive of whatever you choose to do. I'll miss you if you go. Ugh. Why is my keyboard blurry?

[JuJuYoshida]

45. I'm sad for you honey, but you always have me and you know that :-) love you.

[PoorMonger]

46. Aww

I was just about to start posting in the group about anime I’m into. Only reason I really haven’t is because I wondered where it would get the most views, here in the Asian group or over in Animation ( which mostly looks deserted)

I will post anyhow and see if it gets an replies.

[Old Crow]

47. Come back! You are missed.

You were a major factor, maybe the major factor, in helping me figure out how to vote in the last presidential election.

[GeoWilliam750]

48. You will be missed

I very much enjoyed your posts, and hope that you both return often; DU is better with the both of you than it is without either of you. I also believe that you have had more impact than you might realize.

Also, "A Letter to Asian Girls" has a great deal of relevance to my family as well.

Very best wishes.

[sandensea]

49. It's our loss.

I'm sorry to hear that, Yoshida Yui.

My guess is that it's not that people aren't interested in Asian culture; but rather that, since most of us are so unfamiliar with it, we'd rather not post anything that sounds ignorant.

Asian-Americans - in all their variety - are rapidly becoming a backbone of U.S. culture and business, and of the Democratic Party.

Whatever you decide on, All the Best always!

[byronius]

50. I always look for your posts to recommend them. They're great. Don't leave.

[AJT]

51. I don't leave comments very much. I enjoyed your posts and the music videos.

Oh sure, I didn't get a lot of them......not because of any cultural barrier, but because I'm old.

[guillaumeb]

52. I read and sometimes replied to your posts.

I am sorry to see you leave.

Guillaume

[MFM008]

53. I will miss you on DU

but follow on Twitter.
There is more interest in Asian culture
Than you realize.

[flying rabbit]

54. Too bad

I have read a lot of your posts. Clicked on your videos. You are an asset to this place. I, like a lot of people, don't reply because I have nothing to add. Hope you come back.

[emulatorloo]

55. I appreciate your posts and am sorry to hear you won't be posting

Although I understand your reasons and support your decision. Take care and best wishes.

[Tribalceltic]

56. I will miss you tremendously

I have always enjoyed your posts, I think there were very few that i did not at least rec.

I am honored and proud to have known you

[jrthin]

57. Yuiyoshida, I wish you'd reconsider. My husband and

I loved your posts and many times you gave us a needed laugh. And I have shared many of your posts, most particularly "Letters to Asian Girls."

[democratisphere]

58. Miss the great exposure to Asian Culture including wonderful food,

Interesting Asian Music and Bands and Art. I have really missed your posts and wondered what happened. I am sorry you were offended by the lack of response but I know there are many here that really appreciated your great OP contributions; they will be sorely missed! Hope you come back sooner!

[unblock]

59. Now I very much regret not being as expressive in my appreciation

You are a du treasure.

I have very much enjoyed your posts, they are refreshing, enlightening, and educational.

I'm sorry I often quietly enjoyed them and did not take the time to properly thank you for them.

Take a break if you feel you must, but please do come back.

[ornotna]

60. Sorry to see you go

Wishing you and Ju-Ju the best the best.

[lame54]

61. you will be missed

[panader0]

62. No no no. You are very valuable here at DU.

Please reconsider.

[LongTomH]

63. You will be missed! I'm sorry to hear that Asians were attacked here.

[TygrBright]

64. Make the decision that's right for you, Yui.

But, also... I know you're recuperating from a nasty bout of pneumonia, and my own experience with that is that it casts a long tail of depression and low energy and mood issues.

I'm hoping that when the worst of that passes, you might reconsider. You're greatly valued here, and even loved.

I have learned quite a lot from your posts about Japanese culture and enjoy them very much. But also, I enjoy your thoughts and comments in ongoing discussion.

I will look for you on Twitter, too. I'd miss you very much if your voice were altogether silent in my online world.

Get well, be well.

appreciatively,
Bright

[yuiyoshida]

65. The above posting was dated Tue Mar 27, 2018, 09:16 PM

so that was about a year ago. Yes I had wanted to leave cause i did all this stuff for people here and never got a thank you.. or even a response sometimes...but yeah in the age off TRUMP that is all we hear these days...I was talked into coming back but i quit the Asian group as a the head moderator. I still contribute ...today.

[TygrBright]

66. Excellent! I read the date but not the year. I was looking at another website...

...that had some gorgeous pictures of some of Japan's outlying islands. Some friends are planning a honeymoon and wanted suggestions, so I was looking around for cool Japanese destinations that are sort of off the beaten track.

Then I thought, "Wait, has Yuiyoshida posted anything lately?" and did a search and that came up.

Late nights Saturday and all...

So glad you're with us and hopefully feeling better!

sheepishly,
Bright

[yuiyoshida]

67. Yup, still alive and kicking

though I was in the Hospital for about two weeks, just last Friday, they let me out.

[JuJuYoshida]

68. I was by your side the whole time girl

you got a friend in me always