Star Trek legend George Takei, 89, and his husband Brad have pledged their estate, valued at over $21 million, to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). The couple, together for 40 years and married in 2008, have no children.
Announcement and gallery naming
The museum announced the future gift on its Instagram page alongside a portrait of the couple. In recognition of their support, the new 9,200-square-foot gallery space of JANM's core exhibition, 'In the Future We Call Now: Realities of Racism, Forging Democracy,' will bear their names.
Takei, who found fame playing Mr Sulu in the original series of the sci-fi franchise, was quoted in the post as saying: "JANM represents the resilience of humanity through the stories and experiences of Japanese Americans over many generations."
Personal connection to Japanese American history
The cause is close to Takei's heart. As a child, he was imprisoned in two American concentration camps during World War II because of his Japanese ancestry. When he was five, soldiers forced his family out of their Los Angeles home at gunpoint. The U.S. government sent them first to horse stables at the Santa Anita racetrack, then to the Rohwer camp in Arkansas, and later to the Tule Lake camp in California.
He later wrote a graphic novel called They Called Us Enemy to share his childhood memories and teach others about this part of American history. He often speaks out about his time in the camps to remind people of the importance of civil rights.
Support from the community
Following the announcement, the star was flooded with support. One commenter wrote: "Thank you for everything you’ve done for the Japanese American community. Beautiful people do beautiful things. Thank you George and Brad." Another added: "Wow! What a generous gift to the Japanese American community, Los Angeles, and beyond!"
A third commented: "Just incredible - thank you George and Brad for keeping our family stories alive." A fourth shared: "This is just wonderful. Thank you to the Takeis."
