Your parents look like the enemy, you look like the enemy, and then you have friends that are non-Japanese and… 続きを読む 21. Dilemma of being a Japanese American when two countries were at war, but everyone suffered on both sides.
カテゴリー: Kayoko Wakita
20. A brother of my non-Japanese friend died in WWII, but their friendship continued.
K – Kayoko Wakita P – Pauline Fong K My brother (friend’s brother), Bud, will escort us, and it was so n… 続きを読む 20. A brother of my non-Japanese friend died in WWII, but their friendship continued.
19. Studied ballet, tap, and finally piano from Mrs. Atkins in Fullerton.
And eventually, my parents sent me to dancing school to learn ballet and tap. And, that was because I was putt… 続きを読む 19. Studied ballet, tap, and finally piano from Mrs. Atkins in Fullerton.
18. Exposure to Western music through a college teacher in Fullerton, Anita Shepardson.
And I remember, there was this wonderful, wonderful teacher, a college teacher named Anita Shepardson. And she… 続きを読む 18. Exposure to Western music through a college teacher in Fullerton, Anita Shepardson.
17. Loved Hadda Brooks, an African American pianist-singer, appearing in “Brownsville,” formerly “Little Tokyo”.
It was called “Brownsville” because the “Blacks” had moved in. And so, we didn’t go down there too often, but … 続きを読む 17. Loved Hadda Brooks, an African American pianist-singer, appearing in “Brownsville,” formerly “Little Tokyo”.
16. Chinese and Koreans distanced themselves from the Japanese to avoid racial discrimination.
you have to realize, during the war, evidently, you know, the Chinese were wearing badges saying, “I am Chines… 続きを読む 16. Chinese and Koreans distanced themselves from the Japanese to avoid racial discrimination.
15. Facing severe racism in the L.A. area, returning from camp after WWII.
Coming back was worse, because people were blatant with their (inaudible) here. “Not you people. You killed my… 続きを読む 15. Facing severe racism in the L.A. area, returning from camp after WWII.
14. Most children took lessons in some Japanese cultural arts in the pre-World War II era.
You know, I think any immigrant family, your looking forward to upward mobility, and when you have come from a… 続きを読む 14. Most children took lessons in some Japanese cultural arts in the pre-World War II era.
13. Camaraderie among people in Japan Town, and their support for performing arts at Nishi Hongwanji auditorium, Nisei Week, etc.
It’s amazing to me, as I look back on my childhood in J-Town, that you could walk around, and they’ll say, “Oh… 続きを読む 13. Camaraderie among people in Japan Town, and their support for performing arts at Nishi Hongwanji auditorium, Nisei Week, etc.
12. Creative collaborations with dancers Fujima Kansuma and Bando Mitsusa.
K – Kayoko Wakita S – Shirley Muramoto P – Pauline Fong K And sometimes, when we had friends that were d… 続きを読む 12. Creative collaborations with dancers Fujima Kansuma and Bando Mitsusa.