Susan Ahn Cuddy - A True Role Model

Susan frequently enjoyed the writings of Maya Angelou. Almost every day during the last few years of her life she would read Angelou's words and reflect on her own life. "If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be." To anyone who learns about Susan's life both of these quotes could be her mantra. "I can change by what happens to me. But, I refuse to be reduced by it." A broad variety of things happened to Susan throughout her life. These experiences impacted her life. She navigated a previously untaken path through numerous obstacles and disappointments achieving amazing accomplishments many people would not dare to do or could not find the courage to do.

"My mom used to tell me: 'Life wasn't fair.' It took me a while to understand what she meant." Racism, inter-racial issues, Japanese spies, sexism and growing up without a father are examples some of the experiences that were not fair to her. She overcame the tremendous challenge of being a trailblazer through sincere persistence and having the courage to do the right thing. She knew how to seek the truth and deal with its consequences. Fair or not throughout her life she really made the best of everything and everyone she influenced was better off by knowing her. She treated everyone fairly and gave everyone a fair chance.

Five years went by in a strange way. I am not sure what Susan would think about the many changes around the world that have taken place since 2015. The turmoil of life today may not be a shock to her since she grew up during the Japanese Occupation of Korea her parents' homeland. The Ahns were migrant farm workers in America struggling to make a life in the early 1900's. Racism was no stranger. The overblown egos, dishonesty and limited knowledge of the leading characters in this current nightmare would bother her to no end. The unethical and unjust leadership would be what shocked her. She was right in the heart of DC with a direct viewpoint of how the United States dealt with its citizens and with the world.

Susan made history and in positive ways changed the lives of many. Far from normal and quite amazing...

Susan Ahn Cuddy's story was part of the KAC National Convention hosted by KAC Atlanta October 24-27

August 17, 2019 - Susan Ahn Cuddy remembered on NPR and Storycorps

Why would a so called scholar take a National Archives file about Dosan Susan was given in 2001 and make a claim he was the first person to discover it? Why would this so called scholar rewrite a book about Dosan Susan had worked on and remove the Foreword she was asked to write and did in 1994? Fear of the truth most likely.

KW Lee and Mike Myung Hee Hong claim this so called scholar is the "Expert" on Korean American history. Edward Teaho Chang the Director of the University of California at Riverside Young Oak Kim Center is a mediocre academician who has pulled the wool over the eyes the world of Korean American history. Chang is a revisionist. He is a liar. He is a con artist. Chang should dedicate himself to study Syngman Rhee since they are of the same character and ethics.

Chang had no right to make claim to the documents Susan had published in Korea and America in 2002 as well as in her book by John Cha in 2003. Chang had no right to remove the Foreword she wrote in 1994. Chang also rewrote the contents of this book adding fake facts in 2015. Chang did this in September two month's after Susan died. Susan always referred to Chang as limited.

Disrespecting Susan is one thing. Adding disrespecting her to disrespecting history should make any educated person with a conscience think twice about anything Chang or his fan club say mad more so teach.

Another sad thing about this situation is the Dosan Memorial Foundation and the Hung Sa Dan (aka Young Korean Academy) condoned Chang's actions. They sponsored the book revision and supported Chang's false claims. Ironic and disappointing.