The annual Day of Remembrance commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which enabled the military to forcibly remove and incarcerate 120,000 Japanese American men, women, and children.
Kurt Kuniyoshi reading Hiroshi Kashiwagi’s redress testimony. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
This devastating experience to the Issei and Nisei continues to impact multigenerational communities today, which is why this year’s 72nd anniversary of DOR featured stories reflecting the impacts of E.O. 9066 on various generations of Japanese Americans.
Performances included Kurt Kuniyoshi reading pieces by Nisei poet Hiroshi Kashiwagi who was unable to attend; Nisei author Dr. Akemi Kikumura Yano; Shin-Nisei author Dr. Velina Hasu Houston; and Yonsei performance artist Sean Miura.
The program, which was emceed by riKu Matsuda and Traci Ishigo, led the audience through a special time of remembrance and reflection.
Here are some photos highlighting this important annual event:
2014 DOR program. Photo by Richard Murakami.
Dr. Greg Kimura, JANM President/ CEO welcomes everyone to the 2014 Community Day of Remembrance. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
JANM’s External Relations Officer Helen Ota shares a few opening words as the 2014 DOR gets started. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
The 2014 Community DOR was emceed by riKu Matsuda and Traci Ishigo. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
Presentation of DOR Bill by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
The Camp Roll Call & Moment of Silence is always a powerful moment at each DOR. Photo by Vicky Murakami.
Nisei Author (and former JANM President) Dr. Akemi Kikumura Yano speaks about her Issei parents. Photo by Richard Murakami.
Kurt Kuniyoshi reading Hiroshi Kashiwagi’s work, “Forgiveness”. Photo by Richard Murakami.
Sean Miura performing (and representing) “Yonsei”. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
Shin-Nisei Author, Dr. Velina Hasu Houston. Photo by Richard Murakami.
Marsha Aizumi, author of “Two Spirits, One Heart,” with a passionate Call to Action to support the LGBTQ in our community. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
The 2014 DOR concludes with a Call to Action. Photo by Russell Kitagawa.
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DOR was co-presented with the Japanese American Citizens League Pacific Southwest District, Japanese American National Museum, Manzanar Committee and Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress.
Write an original monologue or short performance piece for a chance to be included in the 2014“Community Day of Remembrance” on February 15th at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.
The 2014 Day of Remembrance (DOR) will mark the 72nd anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 which led to the unlawful forced removal of thousands of Americans of Japanese ancestry and the unconstitutional mass incarceration of 120,000 individuals in domestic concentration camps. DOR is co-presented with the JACLPacific Southwest District, Nikkei for Civil Rights Redress, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Manzanar Committee.
Photo: National Archives
To commemorate the Community Day of Remembrance, we’re looking for YOU to submit monologues or short performance works that tell the story of how Executive Order 9066 (E.O. 9066) has affected you, your family, your generation, and/or your community. The pieces can be happy, sad, touching, funny, or all of the above! They can be fictional or non-fictional!
Winning pieces will be selected by the DOR committee; winning authors will receive a small honorarium and the opportunity to present their pieces at the Community Day of Remembrance on February 15, 2014.
Entries must be emailed to losangelesdor@gmail.com as file attachments (.DOC, .PDF, .TXT, or .RTF file types accepted; email above if alternate file type is preferred). Please include your name, your generation (if applicable), and a telephone number where you can be reached. There is NO FEE to enter. You will receive an emailed confirmation of your submission.
RULES:
Entries must be received by no later than 5PM PST on November 22, 2013 to be considered.
The competition is open to all individuals, amateur or professional.
Entries when performed should be no more than five minutes long in total.
All types and genres of work that can be performed live are eligible, including musical and solo performance pieces. Any instruments, props, or media utilized in a presentation must be provided by and are the sole responsibility of the submitter.
Works will be judged on their originality and quality, as well as their complementarity with other selected works and their relevance to the E.O. 9066.
Winning submitters will be responsible for casting, staging, and directing their own presentations. JANM will provide space for one dress rehearsal before the showcase.
Authors retain all rights to their submissions. However, by submitting, selected authors agree to present their work at the Community Day of Remembrance on February 15, 2014, and to allow presentations to be taped for archival purposes.
