Race is too much with us everywhere it seems. Japan is buzzing about the mixed racial heritage of Miss Japan Universe, Ariana Miyamoto. Her mother is Japanese, her father a black man from Arkansas. She spent two years in high school in Arkansas.

She says her mixed heritage made her an object of bullying in her childhood in Japan. Today, many Japanese are objecting to the representation of the country in a beauty pageant by a mixed race person, called “hafu” in Japan.

Advertisement

She’s almost six feet tall and striking. Her father Bryant Stanfield, then a Naval officer, met her mother while in service. They divorced, but Ariana spent two years later at Jacksonville HIgh School learning English and also worked for a time in the state. Lots of family background here.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article LREA president: State set to move on two LR schools; parents and staff to learn through newspaper Next article Rollout tonight for Little Rock non-discrimination ordinance