Racism doesn't end

The only Japanese family in Ocean Park Impact of Pearl Harbor on her family Initial impact on life at camp Mixed blood people at camp from a child's point of view Embarrassed to talk about camp The birth of a novel through a conversation with her nephew Documenting family history for future generations Getting the book published Her father as a typical Issei East First Street the hub of Japanese American community California housing shortage after the war Farewell to Manzanar not a bestseller, but is steady Being involved in every aspect of the film Controversy over the film Trick in developing the film Unexpected positive reviews and an Emmy nomination Not a "camp story" but a human story Racism doesn't end

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One of the reasons why I married Jim, I’m sure, was because he was Caucasian and, you know, he would protect me and that would be my way to be in and acceptable and all this kind of thing and we would have children who would never have to suffer like I did.

But lo and behold…so I never thought of that, that there would be any racial aspect but when they grew up, after the teenage years, they said, “Oh, yes, yeah. Oh it was terrible. They called me, you know, Chinaman and chink” and all these name calling to my kids. And I said, “Well, it doesn’t end.” But of course they had a much more stronger sense of themselves, much more self-esteem so that they could, you know, fight back or…and they never said anything to me. But I was so shocked, felt so hurt when they told me that. That they, too, experienced racism.

Date: December 27, 2005
Location: California, US
Interviewer: John Esaki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

discrimination hapa multi racial racism