Comments on: 40th Manzanar Pilgrimage – A Personal Reflection http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/ The Official Blog of the Manzanar Committee Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:14:48 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: sjsartidea http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-475 sjsartidea Mon, 04 May 2009 13:41:25 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-475 My son and I took the 7 hour one way road trip from the SF Bay Area to our first Manzanar Pilgrimage. It was a good trip. It was a busy 3-day weekend. I am still recovering. This old bird doesn't bounce back like she used to but it was well worth it. There were about ~2000 people attending this year, they said approx up 25% from the previous year. It really surprised me the number of people and busses from mostly Southern California that brought people up. My son saw a friend there from UCSD. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. I love this side of the Sierras. Such a sad site surrounded by such natural beauty. They have really taken care of this site by way of marking/labeling sites of buildings, excavating block gardens, erecting the monument in the cemetery, rebuilding a guard tower and the great interpretive center. I cried when I first got to the lonely cemetery. There was another ojiisan who was wiping tears away looking at the unmarked graves. So sad to be left there in that mournful, oppressive-laden site. But, with the pilgrimages...not forgotten. It makes me wonder how many other graves at other sites are left unmarked and forgotten. The service was well organized. The UCLA taiko opened the ceremony and speakers came up. You could hear the emotion and catch in their voices when speaking of their experiences. The trauma burns deep. They had religious services from many denominations in the cemetery at the end culminating with a Buddhist ceremony. I thought it wonderful for those still buried there to honor them in that way. It felt empowering to hear and be with all these other people who feel similar feelings. That feeling of empowerment was surprising for me. The ondo dancing at the end was joyous. My son and I danced to Tanko bushi and two other dances in the "LA" style. Different and more expressive in a vibrant way than the San Jose Obon dances. We had fun. He says he will dance in this year's Obon with his older brother and his friends. I look forward to July. The sadness, anger, frustrations and gaman vibrations I felt from this place made me even more sure of the necessity of my expression through my art. Even though my Mom was interned at Gila River, Dad at Heart Mountain before being shipped off with the 442nd to Europe, my Auntie Chuck at Tule Lake and Topaz, this place resonates with the same sadness I felt at the Gila River site and when standing in front of the Heart Mountain barrack in the Japanese American National Museum in LA. But with this pilgrimage, I also felt hope for the future that this type of injustice will never happen again. We will return to the pilgrimage next year. My son and I took the 7 hour one way road trip from the SF Bay Area to our first Manzanar Pilgrimage. It was a good trip. It was a busy 3-day weekend. I am still recovering. This old bird doesn’t bounce back like she used to but it was well worth it.

There were about ~2000 people attending this year, they said approx up 25% from the previous year. It really surprised me the number of people and busses from mostly Southern California that brought people up. My son saw a friend there from UCSD. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. I love this side of the Sierras. Such a sad site surrounded by such natural beauty. They have really taken care of this site by way of marking/labeling sites of buildings, excavating block gardens, erecting the monument in the cemetery, rebuilding a guard tower and the great interpretive center. I cried when I first got to the lonely cemetery. There was another ojiisan who was wiping tears away looking at the unmarked graves. So sad to be left there in that mournful, oppressive-laden site. But, with the pilgrimages…not forgotten. It makes me wonder how many other graves at other sites are left unmarked and forgotten. The service was well organized. The UCLA taiko opened the ceremony and speakers came up. You could hear the emotion and catch in their voices when speaking of their experiences. The trauma burns deep. They had religious services from many denominations in the cemetery at the end culminating with a Buddhist ceremony. I thought it wonderful for those still buried there to honor them in that way. It felt empowering to hear and be with all these other people who feel similar feelings. That feeling of empowerment was surprising for me. The ondo dancing at the end was joyous. My son and I danced to Tanko bushi and two other dances in the “LA” style. Different and more expressive in a vibrant way than the San Jose Obon dances. We had fun. He says he will dance in this year’s Obon with his older brother and his friends. I look forward to July.

The sadness, anger, frustrations and gaman vibrations I felt from this place made me even more sure of the necessity of my expression through my art. Even though my Mom was interned at Gila River, Dad at Heart Mountain before being shipped off with the 442nd to Europe, my Auntie Chuck at Tule Lake and Topaz, this place resonates with the same sadness I felt at the Gila River site and when standing in front of the Heart Mountain barrack in the Japanese American National Museum in LA. But with this pilgrimage, I also felt hope for the future that this type of injustice will never happen again. We will return to the pilgrimage next year.

]]> By: Gann Matsuda http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-450 Gann Matsuda Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:43:13 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-450 You bring up a great point. I will say that the Manzanar Committee has always recognized that the Owens Valley Paiute were unjustly removed from the site and after the legislation that created the Manzanar National Historic Site was passed, we worked to ensure that their story at Manzanar would be covered in the exhibit at the Interpretive Center, even though it would not be the primary focus, per the legislation. We also worked to ensure that important Paiute locations within the site would be interpreted. We only have one hour for the speakers portion of the program, so it isn't possible to cover everything. Nevertheless, you are correct and I will bring this up with the Committee for something we could do for next year. Thanks for your comment! You bring up a great point. I will say that the Manzanar Committee has always recognized that the Owens Valley Paiute were unjustly removed from the site and after the legislation that created the Manzanar National Historic Site was passed, we worked to ensure that their story at Manzanar would be covered in the exhibit at the Interpretive Center, even though it would not be the primary focus, per the legislation. We also worked to ensure that important Paiute locations within the site would be interpreted.

We only have one hour for the speakers portion of the program, so it isn’t possible to cover everything. Nevertheless, you are correct and I will bring this up with the Committee for something we could do for next year. Thanks for your comment!

]]> By: J. Kubo http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-449 J. Kubo Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:00:02 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-449 Enjoyed watching "Manzanar Never Again". During our MAD discussion, a point was made that the Native American community was not represented. Since Manzanar was bulit on Paiute land, perhaps a tribe representative can come and participate in the interfaith service or as a speaker. Enjoyed watching “Manzanar Never Again”. During our MAD discussion, a point was made that the Native American community was not represented. Since Manzanar was bulit on Paiute land, perhaps a tribe representative can come and participate in the interfaith service or as a speaker.

]]> By: Gann Matsuda http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-444 Gann Matsuda Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:56:01 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-444 Not all DVD's are encoded with captioning and the one we screened (which was a preview version) was not. But this is something we'll need to take into consideration for future events. Not all DVD’s are encoded with captioning and the one we screened (which was a preview version) was not. But this is something we’ll need to take into consideration for future events.

]]> By: Wendy Maruyama http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-443 Wendy Maruyama Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:37:35 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-443 Hi Gann: I am sorry I did not meet you while at Manzanar, I kept scanning faces but there were so many people there (which was fantastic). Anyway yes I do have a suggestion that all film screenings be closed captioned. With the use of DVDs and computers this should be available anyway. This would be helpful to anyone who does not hear well, and as our population ages it will be a big help. (Although I am deaf from birth). yes sign language and captioning services are expensive (I don't know sign language myself) but I am sure you might find some volunteers who are interested in the camp experience. But you really should take a poll, I doubt that many attendees would use that service, but I could be wrong. I would definitely use the captioning services but its the most expensive service of the two. Hi Gann: I am sorry I did not meet you while at Manzanar, I kept scanning faces but there were so many people there (which was fantastic). Anyway yes I do have a suggestion that all film screenings be closed captioned. With the use of DVDs and computers this should be available anyway. This would be helpful to anyone who does not hear well, and as our population ages it will be a big help. (Although I am deaf from birth). yes sign language and captioning services are expensive (I don’t know sign language myself) but I am sure you might find some volunteers who are interested in the camp experience. But you really should take a poll, I doubt that many attendees would use that service, but I could be wrong. I would definitely use the captioning services but its the most expensive service of the two.

]]> By: Gann Matsuda http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-440 Gann Matsuda Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:47:47 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-440 Wendy: I know I can speak for the Manzanar Committee in saying that we're happy to hear that you got a lot out of the experience of attending the 40th Manzanar Pilgrimage and the Manzanar At Dusk program. We also appreciate your kind words. You bring up the fact that you are deaf...it makes me wonder how we can make the experience work for those who have trouble with their hearing. I wonder if we can find volunteers to do sign language translation on the spot...I know we couldn't afford to hire anyone... If you have any suggestions in that regard, or for anything else, please don't hesitate. You can help us spread the word down in the San Diego area...the 41st Manzanar Pilgrimage will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Same place. :-) Wendy: I know I can speak for the Manzanar Committee in saying that we’re happy to hear that you got a lot out of the experience of attending the 40th Manzanar Pilgrimage and the Manzanar At Dusk program. We also appreciate your kind words.

You bring up the fact that you are deaf…it makes me wonder how we can make the experience work for those who have trouble with their hearing. I wonder if we can find volunteers to do sign language translation on the spot…I know we couldn’t afford to hire anyone…

If you have any suggestions in that regard, or for anything else, please don’t hesitate.

You can help us spread the word down in the San Diego area…the 41st Manzanar Pilgrimage will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Same place. :-)

]]> By: Wendy Maruyama http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/2009/04/27/40th-manzanar-pilgrimage-a-personal-reflection/#comment-434 Wendy Maruyama Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:58:17 +0000 http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/?p=634#comment-434 This was my first pilgrimage ever and I was inspired, humbled, rejuvenated and enthused. I have made it my mission to go to all the camps in the next two years. I visited the Poston site in December, and I am going to the Minidoka Pilgrimage in June. The Manzanar Committee did a fantastic job in organizing the event. The range of emotions one feels is exhilarating in an odd way - from the energetic Taiko performance by such youthful exuberant players, the somber but moving interfaith prayers at the shrine, the community Ondo dance. It truly brings back memories, and I believe I caught a glimpse of my Jichan somewhere up in the sky. The Manzanar at Dusk event was also a nice way to conclude the day. as a deaf person I was uncertain as to how I could be involved but the small group discussion was enjoyable. I was able to feel comfortable speaking up. As an artist I am truly inspired to continue my projects, "The Tag Project" and "E.O. 9066". Thank you for a job well-done. If I can be of any help down here in San Diego for your next pilgrimage, please let me know. Wendy Maruyama This was my first pilgrimage ever and I was inspired, humbled, rejuvenated and enthused. I have made it my mission to go to all the camps in the next two years. I visited the Poston site in December, and I am going to the Minidoka Pilgrimage in June.

The Manzanar Committee did a fantastic job in organizing the event. The range of emotions one feels is exhilarating in an odd way – from the energetic Taiko performance by such youthful exuberant players, the somber but moving interfaith prayers at the shrine, the community Ondo dance. It truly brings back memories, and I believe I caught a glimpse of my Jichan somewhere up in the sky.

The Manzanar at Dusk event was also a nice way to conclude the day. as a deaf person I was uncertain as to how I could be involved but the small group discussion was enjoyable. I was able to feel comfortable speaking up.

As an artist I am truly inspired to continue my projects, “The Tag Project” and “E.O. 9066″. Thank you for a job well-done. If I can be of any help down here in San Diego for your next pilgrimage, please let me know.

Wendy Maruyama

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