Students Rise To The Challenge of Keeping Japanese American Incarceration Stories Alive – Photos

LOS ANGELES — More information about the Manzanar Committee’s project, Keeping Japanese American Incarceration Stories Alive, most notably, our first trip taking college students to the Manzanar National Historic Site for a weekend of intensive, place-based learning about the Japanese American Incarceration, March 10-11, 2018, is forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Initially, we’ll share a bunch of photos with you, along with what we posted on Facebook:

The photograph above is very similar to so many photos taken at the Manzanar National Historic Site. Indeed, many people take a group photo at the Soul Consoling Tower, the cemetery monument. But this is no ordinary group.

There are five college students in this photo. Two from the Nikkei Student Union at UCLA, and three from the UCSD Nikkei Student Union. Four students are at the center of the middle row, and one is in front. These young people participated in an extremely intensive learning experience over two days, March 10-11, 2018, one in which they didn’t really know what they were in for prior to the weekend.

What they experienced was not just intense. In fact, it might’ve been a bit overwhelming—we threw a lot at them, by design. It turned out to be a transformative, inspiring, and maybe even a life-changing experience for the students, for the members of the Manzanar Committee who were part of this project, and for the National Park Service staff at Manzanar who were primarily responsible for putting together the educational tour of Manzanar for our students.

But as alluded to earlier, this was no ordinary tour. Ranger-led tours at Manzanar are nowhere near as detailed, or so chock-full of information.

Despite that, these students took it all in. Not only were they fully engaged, but they also asked wonderful, intelligent questions, their comments were timely and on point, and it was clear to us that they had really bought into everything we were throwing at them…there was a lot of material over the two days.

On March 11, during a discussion in which students read an oral history by Yoshiye Hayashi about her post-incarceration experience, most notably, being afraid to speak to her mother in Japanese in public after the war, the students began to talk freely about their own experiences with racism, being afraid to speak in languages other than English, and other injustices.

They had made the connections to their own lives and to what is going on in our nation today.

Tears flowed as they opened up about their own pain from enduring racism themselves, or seeing friends and family having to suffer the indignities that racism usually causes.

It was an extremely powerful, impactful discussion, and it was at that point that we knew that they had succeeded in learning the lessons we had presented to them, that we had succeeded in giving them an educational opportunity that would serve them now and in the future, and that they will use this new-found knowledge to help teach this history, and the lessons that must be learned from it, to others.

I also posted the following message directly to our students who participated:

The five of you were magnificent this past weekend. That you were fully engaged in an intense dialogue—you had to be participants, not just passive listeners—is a great credit to all of you. The Manzanar staff did a lot of work to put that tour together. Wendi [Yamashita], Jason [Fujii] and I took care of logistical needs and had some input into the tour content. But our roles were pretty minor compared to what each of you contributed, simply by being full participants in your own education. Without that, our efforts would’ve been for naught, so thank you to each of you, and good luck with final exams.

Indeed, the students who participated in this program, Brian Kohaya and Moet Kurakata from the Nikkei Student Union at UCLA, and Lauren Matsumoto, Maru Streets and Erica Wei from the UCSD Nikkei Student Union, were absolutely outstanding. Things began a bit slowly on Saturday morning because they didn’t really know what to expect. But it didn’t take long for them to dive in, head first. They were fully engaged and really were the biggest reason why this past weekend could not have gone any better. It was a tremendous success.

Of course, none of this would’ve been possible if not for the work of the staff at Manzanar National Historic Site: Superintendent Bernadette Johnson, Ranger (interpretive staff) Patricia Biggs, Cultural Resources Division Chief Jeff Burton, Latino Heritage Intern Rocio Gomez, Ranger (interpretive staff) Mark Hatchmann, Chief of Interpretation Alisa Lynch, Vice Chair of the now-defunct Manzanar Advisory Commission Bill Michael, and the person whose “dumb idea” grew and developed into this incredible project, Ranger (interpretive staff) Rose Masters. Thank you so much to all of you at Manzanar.

But now the bigger questions are in front of us: do we continue this project? In what form? Who should the participants be? And so on.

These students have indicated that they wish to keep the stories of Japanese American incarcerees alive, so we’ll see where they, and their peers, take us.

LEAD PHOTO: A group photo at the Manzanar cemetery monument. Front (from left): Brian Kohaya, Rose Masters. Back (from left): Jason Fujii, Alisa Lynch, Erica Wei, Bruce Embrey, Moet Kurakata, Gann Matsuda, Lauren Matsumoto, Maru Streets, Mark Hatchmann. Photo: Vicky Perez for Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.

Keeping Japanese American Incarceration Stories Alive – A Two-Day Learning Experience at Manzanar National Historic Site

121 photos by Gann Matsuda; ©2018 Manzanar Committee. All rights reserved. Click on any photo to view a larger image, and to scroll/click through the gallery.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters started things off with a brief discussion on expectations for the two-day experience.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters started things off with a brief discussion on expectations for the two-day experience.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters started things off with a brief discussion on expectations for the two-day experience.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hatchtmann talked about the Button family and the exhibit they helped put together.

Students listen to the Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe sharing their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

Students listen to the Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe sharing their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

Students listen to the Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe sharing their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

Students (with Manzanar National Historic Site Chief of Interpretation Alisa Lynch) listen to the Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe sharing their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

The Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

UCSD Nikkei Student Union member Erica Wei (center) asks a question during a discussion with the Button family from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, who shared their family’s history and experiences at Manzanar as the land’s indigenous people.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters leads a discussion on the widespread anti-Asian sentiment that ultimately led to Japanese American Incarceration.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann, just before a discussion on living conditions at Manzanar during World War II.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann, just before a discussion on living conditions at Manzanar during World War II.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann, just before a discussion on living conditions at Manzanar during World War II.

Looking west at Mount Williamson from the Visitors Center at Manzanar.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann, just before a discussion on living conditions at Manzanar during World War II.

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. This photo was taken inside the Block 14 barrack (1942 conditions).

UCLA student Brian Kohaya was one of the participants. He’s a member of the Nikkei Student Union at UCLA.

Erica Wei (UCSD Nikkei Student Union; foreground left) and Moet Kurakata (Nikkei Student Union at UCLA; foreground right).

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. This photo was taken inside the Block 14 barrack (1944 conditions).

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. This photo was taken inside the Block 14 barrack (1944 conditions).

Students with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. This is the historic foundation for the Block 14 men’s latrine.

Students with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. This is the historic foundation for the Block 14 men’s latrine.

Students with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Mark Hachtmann discussing living conditions at Manzanar during World War II. The stuents are standing next to the historic foundation for the Block 14 men’s latrine.

The discussion continues in the Block 14 mess hall.

Time for lunch in the Block 14 mess hall on March 10, 2018.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs begins her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs begins her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey (left) during the early portion of the discussion on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs makes a presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs during her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs during her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs during her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students with Manzanar National Historic SIte Ranger Mark Hatcthmann near the administration area at Manzanar.

Students with Manzanar National Historic SIte Rangers near the administration area at Manzanar.

Listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs during her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Patricia Biggs during her presentation on the Manzanar “Riot.”

At Manzanar’s administration area, the flashpoint of the Manxzanar “Riot.”

At Manzanar’s administration area, the flashpoint of the Manzanar “Riot.”

Students near the historic entrance to Manzanar, where the military police and sentry posts are located.

Near the historic entrance to Manzanar, where the military police and sentry posts are located.

Near the historic entrance to Manzanar, where the military police and sentry posts are located.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters opening a discussion of the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters opening a discussion of the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Outside the 1944-era barrack in Block 14, during a discussion of the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Inside the Block 14 barrack depicting 1944 living conditions during a discussion about the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Inside the Block 14 barrack depicting 1944 living conditions during a discussion about the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Inside the Block 14 barrack depicting 1944 living conditions during a discussion about the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto (left; shown here with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters) shares the story of her family being torn apart by the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto shares the story of her family being torn apart by the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto shares the story of her family being torn apart by the infamous loyalty questionnaire.

At Manzanar’s Block 22 garden.

At Manzanar’s Block 22 garden.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (second from left) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (left) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (second from right) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (third from right) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Decorative stone at Merritt Park, which was also known as Rose Park and Pleasure Park.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (third from left) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens. This photo was taken at Manzanar’s best-known garden, Merritt Park.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton ( left) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton (background left) told the students more about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Students listening to Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton talk about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

Students and the Manzanar Committee’s Jason Fujii (left) and Wendi Yamashita (second from left) listening to Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Cultural Resources Division Jeff Burton talk about the many World War II-era gardens, and how oral histories and archeology were being used together to unearth more and more gardens.

At the site of Manzanar’s Children’s Village, where Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Interpretation Alisa Lynch talked about the only orphanage at any of America’s World War II concentration camps.

At the site of Manzanar’s Children’s Village, where Manzanar National Historic SIte’s Chief of Interpretation Alisa Lynch (right) talked about the only orphanage at any of America’s World War II concentration camps.

A group photo at the Manzanar cemetery monument at the end of day one. Front (from left): Brian Kohaya, Rose Masters: Back (from left): Jason Fujii, Alisa Lynch, Erica Wei, Bruce Embrey, Moet Kurakata, Gann Matsuda, Lauren Matsumoto, Maru Streets, Mark Hatchmann.

At the Manzanar cemetery.

Day two began with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters leading a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II.

Day two began with Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters leading a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion. That’s Manzanar National HIstoric Site Superintendent Bernadette Johnson on the right.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

During a session in which students read excerpts from oral histories of those who were unjustly incarcerated at Manzanar during World War II, they began to connect this history to their own experiences with racism, inequality and injustice. The result was a very powerful and emotional discussion.

UCSD Nikkei Student Union member Lauren Matsumoto.

Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto told the story of how her family struggled after leaving Manzanar.

Most of the students had family who were incarcerated in one or more of the World War II American concentration camps, or other confinement sites. Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters provided them with copies of camp rosters with information about their families, as well as other information. In this photo, she broke down what the codes on the roster pages meant.

Most of the students had family who were incarcerated in one or more of the World War II American concentration camps, or other confinement sites. Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Rose Masters provided them with copies of camp rosters with information about their families, as well as other information. In this photo, she broke down what the codes on the roster pages meant.

Mount Williamson was just peeking over the clouds on Sunday morning.

Heading towards Manzanar’s Block 9.

At Block 9, where Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita’s great uncle’s barrack was located.

At Block 9, where Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita’s great uncle’s barrack was located. That’s Wendi on the left.

At Block 9, where Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita’s great uncle’s barrack was located.

At Block 9, where Manzanar Committee member Wendi Yamashita’s great uncle’s barrack was located.

Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talked about the first organized Manzanar Pilgrimage in 1969, how it came about, who put it all together, and about his mother, Sue Kunitomi Embrey, who would become the driving force behind the creation pf the Manzanar National Historic Site. Most importantly, Bruce showed how the Pilgrimage has connected to so many other struggles for social justice and Constitutional rights in our history.

Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talked about the first organized Manzanar Pilgrimage in 1969, how it came about, who put it all together, and about his mother, Sue Kunitomi Embrey, who would become the driving force behind the creation pf the Manzanar National Historic Site. Most importantly, Bruce showed how the Pilgrimage has connected to so many other struggles for social justice and Constitutional rights in our history.

Inyo County local BIll Michael, former Director of the Eastern California Museum (ECM) and Vice Chair of the now-defunct Manzanar Advisory Commission, talked about the exhibit at the ECM that preceded the Manzanar National Historic Site and about the struggle to gain support in Inyo County for the creation of the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Inyo County local BIll Michael, former Director of the Eastern California Museum (ECM) and Vice Chair of the now-defunct Manzanar Advisory Commission, talked about the exhibit at the ECM that preceded the Manzanar National Historic Site and about the struggle to gain support in Inyo County for the creation of the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Listening to Bill Michael’s remarks at the Eastern California Museum.

Inyo County local BIll Michael, former Director of the Eastern California Museum (ECM) and Vice Chair of the now-defunct Manzanar Advisory Commission, talked about the exhibit at the ECM that preceded the Manzanar National Historic Site and about the struggle to gain support in Inyo County for the creation of the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Listening to Bill Michael’s remarks at the Eastern California Museum.

Listening to Bill Michael’s remarks at the Eastern California Museum.

Also at the Eastern California Museum, Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talked about the struggle to create the Manzanar National Historic Site, which was rather controversial, even within the Japanese American community.

Also at the Eastern California Museum, Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talked about the struggle to create the Manzanar National Historic Site, which was rather controversial, even within the Japanese American community.

Also at the Eastern California Museum, Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey talked about the struggle to create the Manzanar National Historic Site, which was rather controversial, even within the Japanese American community.

Manzanar National Historic Site Superintendent Bernadette Johnson led a discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

A discussion using archived comment books that visitor’s have written in (these are available to visitors at the end of the exhibits in the Visitors Center).

Turning the tables! At the end of the two days of intense discussion, now it was the students turn to talk; to share their thoughts and ideas regarding what they had just gone through, what they had learned, and what they felt.

Turning the tables! At the end of the two days of intense discussion, now it was the students turn to talk; to share their thoughts and ideas regarding what they had just gone through, what they had learned, and what they felt.

Turning the tables! At the end of the two days of intense discussion, now it was the students turn to talk; to share their thoughts and ideas regarding what they had just gone through, what they had learned, and what they felt.

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