Speaking Up! Democracy, Justice, Dignity
For the 25th anniversary of the Japanese American Redress legislation, the Japanese American National Museum presented its fourth national conference “Speaking Up! Democracy, Justice, Dignity” in Seattle, Washington from July 4 to 7, 2013. This conference brought fresh insights, scholarly analysis, and community perspectives to bear on the issues of democracy, justice, and dignity.
These articles stem from the conference and detail the Japanese American experiences from different perspectives.
Visit the conference website for program details >>
Stories from this series
Tule Lake - Part 1 of 2
July 9, 2013 • Hiroshi Kashiwagi
When we arrived at Tule Lake in the morning, we were greeted by a man who claimed to be our Block Manager. It was nice to have someone welcome us on our arrival at this desolate place near the northern border of California. “If you need anything just ask me,” he said. He provided us with mattresses and Army blankets; we unpacked and settled in. After the miserable experience in Arboga, we were excited about the flush toilets in the …
Free Streets
July 1, 2013 • Hiroshi Kashiwagi
It was in March of 1946, the morning after my brother, sister, and I came out of camp. We had been given $25 each and a free ride on the train. The train seemed better than the old milk train with the shade drawn that took us to Tule Lake in 1942. After being held until almost the closing of camp, we were finally released. I guess we were used to being confined, but camp was nearly deserted. We were …
One for the History Books: Aleut-American Experience in WWII
June 26, 2013 • Marla Williams
“I just want it to go in the history books.” —Mary Bourdukofsky, Aleut American internee The reach of empathy is determined in part, I believe, by the sharing of memories. As much as our individual natures and experiences, inherited perceptions of the world around us shape our responses to both historical and contemporary events. Who we were influences who we are—and how well …
Records at the National Archives at Seattle and other West Coast Facilities Relating to the Japanese American Incarceration Experience - Part 3 of 3
June 24, 2013 • Ken House
Read Part 2 >> Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group 147 Until recently Selective Service draft registration records from World War I and II were stored at field offices of the National Archives. The draft records have been moved to a single, central location at the National Archives at St. Louis and can be accessed there. Draft registration cards typically include address, date and place of birth, employment, citizenship, date of registration, and descriptive information. Using Gordon Hirabayashi again as …
Records at the National Archives at Seattle and other West Coast Facilities Relating to the Japanese American Incarceration Experience - Part 2 of 3
June 22, 2013 • Ken House
Read Part 1 >> Records of the United States District Courts, Record Group 21 NARA field facilities hold federal district and bankruptcy court case files heard in the courts in their geographic area. Some may also hold cases from a federal Circuit Court of Appeals if an appeals court exists nearby. The case files typically include all of the filings in the case, but frequently not the exhibits or transcripts. Exhibits are often returned to the person submitting them or are destroyed. …
Records at the National Archives at Seattle and other West Coast Facilities Relating to the Japanese American Incarceration Experience - Part 1 of 3
June 20, 2013 • Ken House
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) as the nation’s “record-keeper” is responsible for preserving and making available permanent historic records created by federal agencies, offices, committees, and courts. Included are federal records created during and after the forced mass removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans living along the west coast of the United States during World War II. These records may be found in many of the NARA facilities nationwide. Copies of some of the records can also be …