Thank you for writing about this. It’s utterly disheartening news, especially when thinking about how much passion and effort over DECADES have gone into making more widely known the history and contributions of JAs. But those of us who DO know the history need to keep speaking up and telling the stories.
I hope that what is happening is a short lived nightmare and we can restore the services and reclaim the history in the near future. But it will require all of us to speak up and stand up against what is going on in this country in small and not so small ways and be courageous in facing our fears.
The first time my husband and I traveled to Manzanar shortly after we were married 48 years ago there was only a bronze plaque encased in stone as a memorial. We visited again a few years back and were able to process so much more through the archeological restoration and the museum. The workers were so kind to us helping my husband to look up names of his family. I find myself wondering what will happen to the Japanese American National Museum as well as any museums that are federally funded and that inform us of any American people groups that are not white male.
Thank you for writing about this newest assault on American history John. Having a more comprehensive look at our history - including our worst decisions - is crucial in building character. Looks like Trump 2.0 is doing everything possible to prevent character development- and little wonder because of the distorted thinking of MAGA elites who, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, are constantly calling good evil and evil good. Woe unto them indeed.
Thanks for drawing attention to this, John. As you say, perhaps not the most dramatic casualty at the moment, but an important casualty nonetheless.
An important and human story to highlight in the midst of "move quickly and break things."
Thank you for writing about this. It’s utterly disheartening news, especially when thinking about how much passion and effort over DECADES have gone into making more widely known the history and contributions of JAs. But those of us who DO know the history need to keep speaking up and telling the stories.
An important piece. Thank you.
I hope that what is happening is a short lived nightmare and we can restore the services and reclaim the history in the near future. But it will require all of us to speak up and stand up against what is going on in this country in small and not so small ways and be courageous in facing our fears.
The first time my husband and I traveled to Manzanar shortly after we were married 48 years ago there was only a bronze plaque encased in stone as a memorial. We visited again a few years back and were able to process so much more through the archeological restoration and the museum. The workers were so kind to us helping my husband to look up names of his family. I find myself wondering what will happen to the Japanese American National Museum as well as any museums that are federally funded and that inform us of any American people groups that are not white male.
I’m sure this is only one example among thousands of others being heedlessly destroyed by this indiscriminate action. Thanks for disclosing this.
Thank you for writing about this John. I did not know about the 442nd Regiment… such important history.
Thank you for writing about this newest assault on American history John. Having a more comprehensive look at our history - including our worst decisions - is crucial in building character. Looks like Trump 2.0 is doing everything possible to prevent character development- and little wonder because of the distorted thinking of MAGA elites who, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, are constantly calling good evil and evil good. Woe unto them indeed.
https://asamnews.com/2025/03/14/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-erasure-japanese-american-history-removed/