75 Years Since Executive Order 9066
Day of Remembrance: A Time for Action
(click photo for flyer and more information)
February 19, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 that called for the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Every year, the Japanese American community in Chicago comes together to remember President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of EO9066 as a reminder of the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis, and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms of all. This year you are invited to a weekend of remembrance as we commemorate the Japanese American experience during this turbulent era in America’s history.
All programs listed are free of charge
Day of Remembrance Main Program
February 19, 2017
Chicago History Museum – McCormick Theater
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
This year’s program will feature the screening of two short films produced by local filmmakers titled “The Orange Story” and “A Song for Manzanar.”
This will be followed by a poetry reading by acclaimed local poet and writer Dwight Okita, who will read two widely anthologized internment camp poems from his book “Crossing with the Light.”
The program will conclude with a panel discussion moderated by Sandra Yamate, and featuring “The Orange Story” Executive Producer Jason Matsumoto and Writer & Director Erika Street Hopman, as well as “A Song for Manzanar” Writer & Director Kazuko Golden, and Novelist and Poet Dwight Okita.
Film Synopses:
The Orange Story
Koji Oshima is the proud owner of a small corner grocery store, but he must now abandon everything and report to an assembly center, en route to a more permanent confinement site. His belongings, his business – everything must be sold except for what he can carry in one large duffel bag.
Executive Producer Jason Matsumoto
Writer & Director Erika Street Hopman
A Song for Manzanar
A young mother and her family are placed in the Manzanar confinement site during WWII. The film draws upon a true story, depicting the closeness of two sisters shown in glimpses of childhood experiences, a conversation as young women, and the dogged efforts of the older sister to get a letter out to her sister in Hiroshima.
Writer & Director Kazuko Golden
Click here for a flyer to print and post!
The Nail That Sticks Up The Farthest… / Day of Remembrance Pre-Program
February 18, 2017
Northwestern University – Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art
40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Intergenerational Dialogue with elders who experienced the Japanese American Concentration Camps
3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Film Screening of Rea Tajiri’s film “History and Memory: For Akiko and Takashige”
Join us to commemorate this historic occasion through an interactive, intergenerational program held around the work of Sansei artist, Kristine Aono. Aono’s installation, entitled The Nail That Sticks Up The Farthest…, features a full-sized gallery wall in which participants are invited to add nails in honor of someone who was incarcerated. The afternoon will be spent adding to the installation, sharing stories of internment, and commemorating this historically relevant anniversary.
A screening of Rea Tajiri’s short film, History and Memory: For Akiko and Takashige (1991, 32 min.) will follow this program at the Block Cinema. The exhibition will be open for viewing until 5pm.
Click here for the Facebook event!
More information about the exhibit can be found here.
If you plan to join us, please RSVP here.
Day of Remembrance K – 12 Youth Program
February 19, 2017
Chicago History Museum – The Guild Room
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
This program will feature a discussion and workshop targeted to a younger audience (K-12) focused on the meaning of the Japanese American Concentration Camp experience for young people today.
Local author Karen Su will read from her new children’s book about internment, entitled “I Am That Little Girl, I Am Yuki.” Following a brief discussion with the author, participants will join in a collective art project to add color/material to stylized images related to internment. The completed three panels will then be on display in the reception area following the DOR program.
A light lunch will be provided.
Click here for the Facebook event.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP here.
Day of Remembrance is sponsored by the Chicago Japanese American Council,the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society, the Japanese American Citizen League–Chicago Chapter, the Japanese American Service Committee, and the Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago.
SafeUnsubscribe®