To the editor: I wept whereas studying Darrell Kunitomi’s article about his uncle and the inhumanity perpetrated by the U.S. authorities upon Japanese Individuals pressured needlessly into America’s focus camps throughout World Warfare II.
Regardless of the indignities of day by day life at Santa Anita Park, the place Japanese Individuals have been held earlier than being despatched to faraway incarceration camps, his uncle, Personal First Class Ted Fujioka, lies buried in France, having given the final word sacrifice for the nation that did such nice hurt to his household and his neighborhood. He was one among about 800 Japanese Individuals who died in motion whereas serving their nation.
The letters Kunitomi has from his uncle throughout his time at Santa Anita are a treasure for the trustworthy tales they inform, and for Ted’s hopefulness for the American beliefs that proceed to be defiled regularly.
Kay Ochi, Chula Vista
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To the editor: Kunitomi’s mom was my fifth and sixth grade trainer at Los Feliz Elementary Faculty. Richard Nixon had simply began his second time period as president.
We began our day reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Kunitomi, a chic girl with a powerful singing voice, would then lead us in a rousing patriotic track whereas taking part in her autoharp. “You’re a Grand Previous Flag” was a favourite.
These years, historical past classes have been spent on Father Junipero Serra’s mission system. We additionally studied Hawaii and its eventual statehood. We had a stunning luau class celebration the place Mrs. Kunitomi sang.
Little did we all know that residing, respiration, true historical past — most of it unfair, discriminatory and hurtful — was standing and singing proper in entrance of us.
Mrs. Kunitomi didn’t converse in school in regards to the incarceration of her household and people of so many different Japanese Individuals, nor did she inform of her late brother, Teddy, a heroic member of the fabled 442 Military regiment.
I want she had. I’m glad her son did.
Peter McDonald, Los Feliz
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To the editor: Kunitomi does a superb job exhibiting some native particulars of the horrible years of Japanese American mass incarceration.
Thank goodness the victims have been nonetheless allowed to ship and obtain mail, as Kunitomi’s uncle did. The letters he despatched to his historical past trainer actually reveal day-to-day actions behind the fence.
Looking back, does anybody consider the knee-jerk response that imprisoned so many voters beginning in 1942 was efficient in any approach? I hope trendy leaders have cooler heads.
And, thanks for putting Kunitomi’s piece on the entrance web page.
Greg Golden, Van Nuys
