In the largest single act of mass incarceration in U.S. history, our government forced over 125,000 Japanese Americans into prison camps for three years during World War II. On this special live episode, two leading activists join us to expose the true story of this racist atrocity, the fight for reparations that followed, and the importance of racial solidarity in all movements for change. We know Black America can achieve reparations: it’s been done before!
SHOW NOTES
Guests: Kathy Masaoka and traci kato-kiriyama
Kathy Masaoka was active in the movement for Japanese American redress in the 1980s and has worked to educate Americans about the camps. She co-chairs Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress (NCRR) and is active in the fight for Black reparations, testifying before Congress in support of H.R. 40 in 2022.
traci kato-kiriyama is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and activist, recognized for her work as writer, performer, cultural producer, community organizer, and audiobook narrator. traci co-chairs the National Nikkei Reparations Coalition and is on the Why We Can't Wait Coalition.
Check out the VIDEO of this live episode!
More on the incarceration of Japanese Americans:
- Searchable list of all 125,284 names of those incarcerated (Ireizō)
- NCRR’s book on the fight for Japanese American reparations
- Videos of the 1981 hearings
- “Pilgrimage” documentary
More on traci kato-kuriyama’s work:
- traci’s website
- Their amazing book Navigating Without Instruments
More from bridgette bianca:
- Her poem from our live show: “There Goes The Neighborhood”
- bridgette’s homepage
The California Reparations Task Force proposals for Black reparations
Highlights of episode:
[9:56] Bogus excuses vs. real reasons for Japanese Americans’ incarceration
[15:31] Kathy and traci's family experiences in prison camps
[21:45] traci reads "No Redress"
[29:39] Clips from J.A. reparations hearings
[36:51] Limitations of J.A. reparations
[39:11] Lessons of racial solidarity
[52:05] traci reads "Note to Nikkei Community on Reparations"
[56:35] Q & A
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