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 when they were ordered into detention, 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 Susan’s book. Now more than ever, we must hear, remember, and carry forward their messages.

The program will feature:

• 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 performance artist traci kato-kiriyama.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and book signing follows.

Registration will open later this year on the Japanese American National Museum website.

Art: Jerry Takigawa, E.O. 9066