Voices of the Japanese American Incarceration

During World War II, the West Coast Japanese Americans lacked the power to overcome politics and prejudice to forestall their imprisonment by the US government. Although their voices were not heard in 1942, the incarcerees speak over the passage of time about the importance of protecting civil liberties for all. Through readings, music, art, and poetry, descendants and allies of incarcerees bring life to voices featured in the book “When Can We Go Back to America?: Voices of Japanese American Incarceration During WWII” by Susan H. Kamei. We must hear, remember, and carry forward their messages.
On February 11, 2023, JANM hosted a program that featured readings from “When Can We Go Back to America?” by Sansei (third generation) and Yonsei (fourth generation) Japanese Americans whose family members were incarcerees and members of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team; art from the exhibit “Resilience - A Sansei Sense of Legacy”; a performance of “Citizen 13660: Vignettes” for string and clarinet quintet composed by Chad Cannon, based on illustrations from Miné Okubo’s book “Citizen 13660”; and poetry by incarcerees included in the book, presented by traci kato-kiriyama, artist and author of “Navigating With(out) Instruments.”
This program is presented in partnership with the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Cultures.
Purchase at the JANM Store:
- “When Can We Go Back to America?: Voices of Japanese American Incarceration During WWII”: janmstore.com/products/when-c...
- “Citizen 13660”: janmstore.com/products/citize...
- “Navigating With(out) Instruments”: janmstore.com/products/naviga...
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Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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