Mamoru “Mori†Tanimoto, one of about 35 men from Block 42 of the Tule Lake concentration camp who had been arrested for refusing to register for the controversial loyalty questionnaire, passed away Nov. 3, 2015. He was 95. During the past decade, both Mori and younger brother, Jim, became fixtures at the biennial Tule Lake […]
Lost words
January 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It has been said by many that writing letters is a lost art form. People under the age of 35 or so may have never experienced the sentimental emotions of discovering that dusty old shoebox full of beautifully crafted letters that convey love, joy, sorrow and introspection. The grief-stricken letter with tear-stained handwriting or the […]
No-nos, renunciants speak out about stigma over wartime actions
November 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
TORRANCE, Calif. — The “No-No Boys†and renunciants, Nikkei prisoners who protested the injustice of having to answer a “loyalty questionnaire†while incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War II, were the focus of a forum held on Oct. 27 at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library Community Room in Torrance. Although 70 years […]
Pledging ‘Allegiance’: New musical doesn’t hide from controversy
September 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A chance encounter in a New York theater between actor George Takei and producer Lorenzo Thione — who was with composer Jay Kuo — led to the development and production of a new musical, “Allegiance,†now playing at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Takei spoke about his experiences during World War II as […]
Open letter about ‘Allegiance’
September 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The play “Allegiance†opened in San Diego, Calif. on Sept. 19. The producers of the play have received criticism about a pre-opening version of the play and they may have made some changes before opening. However, we understand that they do not intend to change the play’s characterization of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), […]
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A JACLer’s perspective of ‘Allegiance’
Having heard about the somewhat negative portrayal of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and one of its early leaders, Mike Masaoka, in the play, “Allegiance – The Musical,†I was a bit skeptical about seeing the show. However, I bought tickets and went to see it in New York City. Mike Masaoka was a […]