Interviews
Experiencing discrimination as a child
It was Easter, and I had another friend in school that I wanted her to come to Easter service. So she said, “Okay. That’d be fine.” So my mother drove me to her house to pick her up for Easter. And I had a nice Easter dress on and went over to her house, knocked on the door. And she opened to the door, and she was still in her play clothes. And she looked very sad. “Aren’t you coming to church with me?” And she said, “I can’t. My mother won’t let me.” And I said, “What?” And she started to cry and said, “I’m so sorry. My mother’s crazy. She thinks that I might end up marrying Japanese just like you.” Sixth grade—how am I supposed to digest all that information? And all of sudden, she said, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I can’t go.” And then the door closed. I had to collect my wits. And going “Oh gosh. I got to go back to the car.” And mom’s gonna ask me, well, where’s Janice? “She’s sick.” That’s all I said. Went to church and just kind of denied that whole incident.
Date: January 26, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Art Hansen, Sojin Kim
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Undergraduate studies interrupted following Pearl Harbor
(b. 1921) Nisei businessman. Established "Made in Oregon" retail stores
Difficulty getting work during World War II
(b. 1921) Nisei businessman. Established "Made in Oregon" retail stores
His experiences in Chicago after WWII
(b.1929) Pioneer medical researcher in tissue transfer and organ transplantation.
Discharged from the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor
(b. 1918) Founder Azumano Travel
Stereotypes about Japanese: past and present (Spanish)
(b. 1937) Professional journalist
Reaction to a 1942 speech by Mike Masaoka, Japanese American Citizen League's National Secretary
(1915 - 2011) Nisei florist who resettled in New York City after WW II. Active in Japanese American civil rights movement
First impression of New York City during war time
(1915 - 2011) Nisei florist who resettled in New York City after WW II. Active in Japanese American civil rights movement
Neighbors' sympathy after Pearl Harbor
(1915 - 2011) Nisei florist who resettled in New York City after WW II. Active in Japanese American civil rights movement
Interest in Japanese migration studies (Japanese)
Tsuda College President, researcher of Nikkei history
Identity crisis (Spanish)
(b. 1969) Former president of Centro Nikkei Argentino.