DV: A Beginning

For the first time in what seems like a long time there is a new Dark Valley post up. This isn't an official chapter, but I was moved to publish it. I wrote this prologue early on last year. I briefly considered using it as an introduction, but moved away from the idea. All of it is canonical as of now, but I couldn't picture Den just sitting down and talking about herself or her father in the way the chapter is narrated. So why publish it?

Those of you that follow me on Twitter might have seen my posts yesterday. Our President's decision to ban refugees and green card holders shocked the world. I've seen some beautiful and brave things going on, and I felt compelled to share my family's story there. My father was an immigrant from Korea back in the 60's and so my family knew what it was like to be hated and feared by Americans. When they came to America we were still actively engaged in the Korean War, and this did them no favors in terms of tolerance. My family knows what it is like to be hated because of your nationality. To be hated because of the actions of a few. I hurt for our nation and I have never been more ashamed to be an American.

I felt like publishing this piece was important in light of everything that has happened. Den's father's story of loss and disconnectedness is a frightening story of extreme action and consequence. This story (and the fact that I wanted there to be camels) was the first thing I thought of. It created the universe that I wanted Dark Valley to take place in. That was back in spring of 2014. This idea is nearing three years old and for the first time I can see a hint of truth in it.

The White House has not mentioned Japan in their new lawmaking. The face of our boogeyman has changed, but there is fear in our President's actions and hate has been bred from that fear. This, while not mentioned in Den's recounting of the story, is the motive behind destroying an entire nation.

Horrifying Google searches that I performed for some cursory fact checking:

"Korean Graveyard 1950's" (No relevant results)

"Atomic Cloud Visibility" (2)

Minor spoilers for "A Beginning" ahead! Proceed with caution.

For those interested in the little-known piece of history that is Japan's occupation of Korea I highly suggest watching The Handmaiden. While this movie is far from equivalent to a documentary it captures some of Japan's imposed hierarchy amazingly well. I cannot recall any direct mentions but there are threads of it throughout the film. The movie is a fascinating (if sometimes stylized) look at this time period, historical queer life, and gender. I would not watch this with your mother. That is to say, it's rated R.