Entrevistas
Agricultural Livelihood after Coming to the U.S. (Japanese)
(Japanese) Since I was determined to carry on the family business, I worked very hard. Yes, there was no winter or summer for me. I always say this, but we had the three-month harvest time. We harvested produce such as tomato, cantaloupe melons, and squashes. Some nights, I only had 3 to 4 hours of sleep for the entire time. It last almost three months.
The reason why is because for a farmer, even if he is not shipping, there is preparation work – much preparation work for the next harvest, especially at night on weekdays. Early in the morning, we pick up labor boys, take them out to the fields and when they are done, take them back to the camp. After all that, I need to prepare for the next day, such as preparing the water, and other things. But there is no time for everything. My uncle used to say, “Well, let’s sleep early tonight.” But it’s usually past 11PM when I went to bed. And then, I have to wake up early the next morning and since I have to eat or else I can’t work, there is really no time to sleep.
I’m not bragging but my uncle used to say, “You really work hard. I have never seen anyone work as hard as you do.”
Data: May 8, 2007
Localização Geográfica: California, US
Entrevistado: Mistue Watanabe
País: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum