“There were three things sought by invaders who crossed oceans to discover America. Those were gold, gospel, glory. There are four things sought by aliens who crossed heavens to discover planet earth. Those are gold, gospel, glory, gene.”

Toba Beta is a Japanese-American writer and educator. She is known for her thoughtful essays on cultural identity and the intersections of race, gender, and education, blending personal reflection with broader social analysis. Her work often explores the complexities of belonging in multiple worlds.