Tell us a little about yourself – who you are, what you do, etc.
First of all, thank you for having me in e-news. I’m Eunkyung Song, third year in PhD program of Sociology department at Rutgers. In pursuit of an academic credential, I made a big migration from Seoul to New Jersey with two twenty-kilogram bags and a small backpack (How many things I needed to survive!!) Born and raised in Seoul, I had no idea about crossing borders – what it would mean to my personal life and how it would impact my work. Fortunately, I found good colleagues and friends in my department these last two years. I have been satisfied with my work despite some obstacles and even started to enjoy my new lifestyle with cans of chicken soup for a bad cold, Hanareum for snacks, and unimaginably gigantic pieces of pizza. But there had been something missing when I reflected on my life back in Seoul. My life in Korea consisted of three components: I usually worked a lot in order to make a living, went to school, and enjoyed a spirit of community through two or three organizations. At times I have had internal conflicts in terms of exploring the ways in which I can connect my sociological interests with other activities. Now, I am ready to learn what I can do as a sociologist interested in social movements- here with Nodutdol.

How did you find Nodutdol and why did you want to join?
I first came to Nodutdol through my research question- why and how multiple generations of Korean Americans have worked for the unification of Korea. In reflection on my personal experience as a member of Okedongmu (어깨동무), an organization established in the mid-1990s for aiding children in North Korea and educating children across East Asia on peace issues, I was curious about how NDD has carried out its goals for almost ten years. How has NDD dealt with multiple audiences in the United States and in the Korean peninsula? With a generosity and grace that NDD members have shown, I have felt comfortable to join NDD as a member and to delve into its activities as a young researcher.

What do you hope to do with Nodutdol in the future?
I hope to make some contributions to NDD’s activities. First, I would like to use my knowledge of Korean language for NDD members as well as non-members who want to learn it. Second, I want to record what NDD has accomplished and overcome during its ten years of existence. In addition, I would like to make contribution to NDD's dialogues about peace and anti-discrimination. And yet, for now, I’d like to have fun on KEEP 2010 with all participants!

About Nodutdol eNews

Nodutdol eNews is the monthly e-mail newsletter of Nodutdol.Through grassroots organization and community development, Nodutdol seeks to bridge divisions created by war, nation, gender, sexual orientation, language, classes and generation among Koreans and to empower our community to address the injustice we and other people of color face here and abroad. Nodutdol works in collaboration with other progressive organizations locally, nationally and internationally as part of a larger movement for peace and social change.

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