2 new books were inspired by dark moments in Japanese and Japanese American history
NPR's Book of the Day explores two new works of fiction inspired by significant events in Japanese and Japanese American history. The first book, "Together in Manzanar," examines the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II through the story of a Japanese-Jewish family, while "The Last Tiger" uses magical realism to depict Korea under Japanese occupation.
The authors share the real-life stories that influenced their work: Tracy Slater draws from her perspective as a Jewish American married to a Japanese man, while siblings Julia and Brad Riew base their novel on their grandparents' forbidden romance during the Korean occupation. Both works highlight the human impact of these historical events, from the harsh conditions in internment camps to the systematic erasure of Korean culture, while drawing parallels to contemporary issues facing immigrant communities.
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1-Page Summary
The Japanese Internment of Japanese Americans During WWII
During World War II, the U.S. government implemented a policy of internment for anyone with "one drop of Japanese blood," resulting in the incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were American citizens. This policy was driven by racial prejudice rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Conditions in the Internment Camps
The internment camps were characterized by deplorable conditions, with families of up to ten members crowded into barrack rooms that offered minimal privacy and basic amenities. The camps' poor sanitation and spoiled food frequently led to illness among internees. Author Tracy Slater shares the story of Elaine Buckman-Yonada, who chose to accompany her sick three-year-old son into the Manzanar internment camp rather than let him go alone, illustrating the personal sacrifices made during this period.
Japanese Occupation of Korea: Impact on Korean Culture
The Japanese occupation of Korea involved a systematic erasure of Korean culture, including bans on the Korean language, Korean-owned businesses, and traditional clothing. Even the Korean tiger, the national animal, was hunted to near extinction as part of this cultural genocide.
Personal Stories Inspiring Fiction
Julia and Brad Riew have transformed their grandparents' story of forbidden romance during the occupation into a fantasy novel. Their grandparents' experience of maintaining their relationship through secret communications, despite societal barriers and family opposition, serves as inspiration for their characters Sung and Eunji.
Fictional Works Inspired by These Historical Events
Tracy Slater's "Together in Manzanar" explores a Japanese-Jewish family's internment camp experiences, drawing from her perspective as a Jewish-American woman married to a Japanese man. Meanwhile, the Riew siblings' "The Last Tiger" uses magical realism to examine the Japanese occupation of Korea, with the Tiger Kingdom representing Korea and the Dragon Empire symbolizing Japanese occupiers. Julia notes that their collaboration merged her theater background with Brad's expertise in history and spirituality.
Historical Parallels: Immigration & Cultural Suppression
Slater expresses concern about ongoing injustices toward immigrants and minority communities in the United States, drawing parallels with the historical treatment of Japanese Americans. He emphasizes the importance of sharing these stories to raise awareness and prevent future atrocities.
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Actionables
- You can create a digital storybook that combines family history with elements of fiction to explore your heritage and share it with others. Start by interviewing older family members to gather stories and historical details, then weave these into a narrative that can be shared online. For example, if your grandparents lived through a significant historical event, fictionalize their experience into a short story or novella that others can access and learn from.
- Engage with your local library to set up a "Living Library" event where individuals from diverse backgrounds volunteer as 'books' to share their life experiences. This encourages face-to-face conversations about history, culture, and personal stories, fostering empathy and understanding within the community. For instance, someone who has experienced immigration might share their journey, challenges, and triumphs, providing listeners with a personal connection to broader societal issues.
- Start a personal blog or social media page dedicated to highlighting lesser-known historical events and their modern-day relevance. Use simple language to draw parallels between past injustices and current events, aiming to educate and inspire action among your readers. For example, after learning about the internment of Japanese Americans, you might write a post about the importance of standing against modern policies that target minority groups, encouraging your audience to stay informed and engaged in civic activities.
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The Japanese Internment of Japanese Americans During WWII
During World War II, the U.S. government implemented policies that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans, which raised significant human rights concerns due to racial prejudice and wartime hysteria.
WWII Japanese American Detainment Without Evidence
The U.S. government, during the wartime period, mandated the internment of individuals of Japanese descent based on a policy rooted in racism, not evidence of wrongdoing.
Government Policy of Incarcerating Anyone with "One Drop of Japanese Blood" as a Racial Threat, Regardless of Citizenship or Age
Author Tracy Slater conveys that anyone with even "one drop of Japanese blood" was deemed a racial threat and subsequently incarcerated. This policy, rationalized by the perception of the Japanese race as an enemy, led to the removal and confinement of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans. Remarkably, two-thirds of those interned were American citizens, demonstrating the depth of the racial prejudice driving these actions.
Harsh Conditions and Lack of Privacy in Cramped Japanese Internment Camps
The internment camps were marked by deplorable living conditions and a lack of basic privacy, presenting a stark contrast to the principles of dignity and rights usually afforded citizens and residents.
Desolate and unfit for habitation, the camps were surrounded by a sewer ditch that ran along a set of barracks. Portable toilets were used by the internees and emptied into this ditch. Even when actual toilets were constructed, the absence of privacy prevailed. Families, often comprising 10 or more members, were squeezed into barrack rooms, sharing space sometimes with another family. These rooms were minimally furnished with a single stove for heat and one bare light bulb. Moreover, the provided food frequently led ...
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The Japanese Internment of Japanese Americans During WWII
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of historical injustices by visiting a local history museum or historical site related to the internment of Japanese Americans. By seeing artifacts, reading personal stories, and observing photographs, you'll gain a more tangible sense of the conditions and challenges faced by those who were interned.
- Start a book club focused on literature by Japanese American authors or about the internment experience to foster empathy and awareness within your community. Reading and discussing books like "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston can provide personal insights into the emotional and psychological impact of the internment.
- Volunteer with o ...
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Japanese Occupation of Korea: Impact on Korean Culture
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the Japanese empire executed a systematic erasure of Korean culture. This had far-reaching impacts, influencing not only the cultural landscape of Korea but also inspiring deeply personal tales of resistance and resilience that continue to echo through modern storytelling.
Japanese Erasure of Korean Culture: Language, Businesses, Clothing, and National Animal Banned
A tragic and comprehensive assault on Korean heritage took place under Japanese rule. The Korean language was banned in an attempt to obliterate the cultural identity of the Korean people. Korean-owned businesses faced shutdowns, and traditional Korean clothing was forbidden, further stripping the population of its cultural roots. The national animal of Korea, the Korean tiger, became a target for extinction as they were hunted ruthlessly, symbolizing the physical and cultural genocide enacted by the occupation forces.
Paralleles Between Japan's Occupation of Korea and the "Dragon Empire's" Oppression of Tigers
The historical parallel is drawn between the oppression during the Japanese occupation and the fictional "Dragon Empire's" repression over the tigers in Korea. This serves as an allegory within a fantasy narrative that pays homage to Korean culture and history, spotlighting the impact of colonization and cultural erasure.
Personal Stories of Forbidden Romance, Family Separation Inspiring Characters and Plot of Fantasy Novel
Fuelled by the personal accounts of their grandparents' forbidden romance, Julia and Brad Riew have crafted a fantasy novel that intertwines their family's real experiences with allegorical characters and settings. Despite societal barriers and family opposition, particularly from the grandmother's parents, their grandparents sustained their love with secret communication and clandestine meetings. After the passi ...
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Japanese Occupation of Korea: Impact on Korean Culture
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your family's history to create a personal narrative or artwork that honors your ancestors' experiences. By interviewing older relatives or researching genealogical records, you can uncover stories that may have shaped your family's identity. Use these stories as inspiration to write a short story, paint a picture, or compose a song that reflects your heritage and personal history.
- Start a journal where you reflect on the cultural practices and traditions you value, and how they shape your identity. This could be as simple as writing down family recipes, noting traditional holidays and how you celebrate them, or describing clothing or artifacts that have been passed down through generations. This practice helps preserve your cultural heritage and deepen your connection to it.
- Engage with literature or media that portrays the struggles and triumphs of different cultures u ...
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Fictional Works Inspired by These Historical Events
Writers Tracy Slater and siblings Julia and Brad Riew have created works that delve into the repercussions of historical events that have personally affected their lives, using fiction to both educate and engage readers with the past.
"Together in Manzanar": A Japanese-Jewish Family's WWII Camp Experiences
Slater's Ties to the Story as a Jewish-American Married To a Japanese Man, and Her Wish to Share This History
The podcast episode discusses "Together in Manzanar," a book by Tracy Slater. The novel explores the internment of a Japanese-Jewish family during World War II. Slater's personal connection to the story comes as a Jewish-American woman married to a Japanese man, drawing parallels with the family's experiences. Tracy moved from Boston to Japan to be with her husband, mirroring the sacrifices made by Elaine in the story due to her intercultural marriage. Slater wished to write about Elaine's family to share and preserve this piece of history.
"The Last Tiger" by Julia and Brad Roh: A Young Adult Fantasy Novel Using Magical Realism to Explore the Japanese Occupation of Korea and Its Cultural Impact
Siblings' Collaborative Writing Using Family Stories For Novel's Characters and Themes
"The Last Tiger," co-written by Julia Riew and her brother Brad, is a young adult fantasy novel that uses magical realism to reflect on the Japanese occupation of Korea and its cultural impact. The narrative unfolds in a fantasy world with the Tiger Kingdom representing Korea and the Dragon Empire symbolizing the Japanese occupiers. The book discusses cultural suppression akin to the historical erasure of Korean identity by Japanese forces.
Julia describ ...
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Fictional Works Inspired by These Historical Events
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your family's historical narratives by recording interviews with older relatives to capture their personal stories and perspectives on historical events. This can be as simple as using a smartphone to record a conversation during a family gathering, where you ask about their experiences and how these events shaped their lives. The recordings can serve as a personal archive and a starting point for your own creative projects, such as writing a short story or creating a family history scrapbook.
- Start a book club with friends or community members focusing on novels that deal with historical events through fictional narratives. This encourages the exploration of history from different cultural perspectives and promotes discussion on how these events continue to influence society today. Select a diverse range of books, similar to "Together in Manzanar" and "The Last Tiger," and meet regularly to share insights and learn from each other's interpretations.
- Engage with local history by visi ...
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Historical-Parallels: Immigration & Cultural Suppression
Slater discusses the recurring theme of injustices towards immigrants and minority communities in the United States, drawing parallels with the historical treatment of Japanese Americans.
Slater's Concerns About Injustices Toward Immigrants and Minorities in the U.S., Reflecting Historical Treatment of Japanese Americans
Slater expresses deep concern about the ongoing issues facing immigrants and minority groups. He observes that their experiences often mirror the historical treatment of Japanese Americans, pointing toward a pattern of cultural suppression within the country.
Sharing Stories to Raise Awareness and Prevent Atrocities
...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Historical-Parallels: Immigration & Cultural Suppression
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Counterarguments
- The parallels drawn between historical treatment of Japanese Americans and current issues may not account for the significant legal and social changes that have occurred since then.
- The concept of cultural suppression could be more nuanced, considering the diverse experiences of different immigrant and minority groups in the U.S.
- The effectiveness of sharing stories as a means to prevent atrocities could be questioned, as awareness does not automatically translate into policy change or action.
- The focus on injustices might overlook the progress and positive experiences of many immigrants and minority communities in the U.S.
- The assumption that there is a systemic pattern ...
Actionables
- You can amplify diverse voices by curating a social media feed that exclusively features content from immigrant and minority creators. Follow accounts, hashtags, or pages that belong to individuals from these communities and actively engage with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing. This not only increases the visibility of their stories but also helps you gain a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.
- Start a virtual book club focused on literature by immigrant and minority authors to explore different cultural narratives. Choose books that delve into the histories and experiences of these groups, and invite friends or colleagues to read and discuss them together. This encourages collective learning and empathy, and it can lead to more informed perspectives on systemic i ...
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