Yumi is a Japanese Okinawan American interdisciplinary artist and author. In our conversation, we ground various ideologies into our lived experiences and understanding. Yumi speaks from a deeply personal place of coming from both an occupied and occupying nation and sees the echoes of her history in what we are seeing throughout the world today. We talk about the toxicity of capitalism, the interconnectedness of all oppression, and the inherent radicalism of artists. 

It was such a comfort to hear Yumi’s thoughts that there is no right or wrong way to be in the liberation practice. All of our unique roles are needed because we work together in community. Yumi reminds us that it is revolutionary to rest and to trust that the work will continue through the collective. 

Please enjoy — the radical artist that is Yumi. 

Yumi’s IG @yumisakugawa

Leah’s IG @leahoojinkim