Preface
In the following vignettes, I aim to emphasize the effects travel and one’s place in the world can
have. For within everyday life, whether at home or traveling, it can easily be forgotten how our
ideas and biases affect the social landscape we’re in and vice-versa. With this, I write with the
hope that I can unpack these effects and cull some understanding of what they have done to me
and my view of the world.
have. For within everyday life, whether at home or traveling, it can easily be forgotten how our
ideas and biases affect the social landscape we’re in and vice-versa. With this, I write with the
hope that I can unpack these effects and cull some understanding of what they have done to me
and my view of the world.
Attleboro, Massachusetts
September 23, 2007
September 23, 2007
My friend Connor threw the basketball to me. I dribbled a few times before throwing it up at the
foul line. Before I had a chance, a girl in my grade, Shannon, caught the rebound. She squinted at
me before saying “I didn’t know you were part Chinese”. She hucked the ball at me. I was aware
of my eye shape as a child. Even as a white person, it was something I was secretly
self-conscious of throughout my time in elementary school. As a white girl, herself, she then
proceeded to "teach me in the ways of having a larger eye", something only a fourth grader could
get away with, saying I should “just hold them open with tape or my fingers for a few hours a
day and they’ll look ‘normal’”. I never questioned what she meant. I always understood what
was “normal”. For weeks after, I would endure hours of dry, watery, inflamed eyes, trying to
keep them wide open in an effort to achieve “normalcy”.
foul line. Before I had a chance, a girl in my grade, Shannon, caught the rebound. She squinted at
me before saying “I didn’t know you were part Chinese”. She hucked the ball at me. I was aware
of my eye shape as a child. Even as a white person, it was something I was secretly
self-conscious of throughout my time in elementary school. As a white girl, herself, she then
proceeded to "teach me in the ways of having a larger eye", something only a fourth grader could
get away with, saying I should “just hold them open with tape or my fingers for a few hours a
day and they’ll look ‘normal’”. I never questioned what she meant. I always understood what
was “normal”. For weeks after, I would endure hours of dry, watery, inflamed eyes, trying to
keep them wide open in an effort to achieve “normalcy”.
Promontory Point, Utah
May 10, 1869
May 10, 1869
The final spike of the transcontinental railroad was driven into the ground, reading “May God
continue the unity of our country, as this railroad unites the two great oceans of the world.” It
was a momentous occasion - travel from one end of the country to the other could finally be
achieved in one ride. Men gathered around the two meeting train cars in hopes to be captured on film, proving their existence and part in such a significant event in the country’s history.
continue the unity of our country, as this railroad unites the two great oceans of the world.” It
was a momentous occasion - travel from one end of the country to the other could finally be
achieved in one ride. Men gathered around the two meeting train cars in hopes to be captured on film, proving their existence and part in such a significant event in the country’s history.
“These were the men who finally connected the country” would be broadcast to the millions of
Americans reading the news the next day, drilled into the minds of the children reading it in
textbooks.
Americans reading the news the next day, drilled into the minds of the children reading it in
textbooks.
If the lens was shifted left or right, who would be pictured? Who were the thousands who
actually sacrificed their time and lives for this cause? Could they prove their role just as the men
pictured could?
Less than 20 years before this point, the first large influx of Chinese immigrants made their way
to the Californian coast, with the hope of prospering in the growing job market. In 1865, the two
coastal leaders in the railroad industry would lay the first tracks on either end in their “final
frontier” of connecting the country via rail. While the eastern Union Pacific Company confronted
the challenge with ease, the western Central Pacific Company would suffer in finding labor for
the endeavor. Workers were initially shipped from the Northeast along with ex-slaves and
ex-Confederates but no solution was proving successful.
The company would look towards the growing Chinese labor market as their solution. According
to the National Geographic, an estimated 10,000-20,000 Chinese laborers would join the Central
Pacific Union, enduring “10-12 hour shifts during six-day work weeks” all while being “paid
less than other workers and denied room and board”.
When this last spike would drive, no trace of the thousands of men would remain, just a slew of
anti-Asian legislation once the need for their labor was finished.
actually sacrificed their time and lives for this cause? Could they prove their role just as the men
pictured could?
Less than 20 years before this point, the first large influx of Chinese immigrants made their way
to the Californian coast, with the hope of prospering in the growing job market. In 1865, the two
coastal leaders in the railroad industry would lay the first tracks on either end in their “final
frontier” of connecting the country via rail. While the eastern Union Pacific Company confronted
the challenge with ease, the western Central Pacific Company would suffer in finding labor for
the endeavor. Workers were initially shipped from the Northeast along with ex-slaves and
ex-Confederates but no solution was proving successful.
The company would look towards the growing Chinese labor market as their solution. According
to the National Geographic, an estimated 10,000-20,000 Chinese laborers would join the Central
Pacific Union, enduring “10-12 hour shifts during six-day work weeks” all while being “paid
less than other workers and denied room and board”.
When this last spike would drive, no trace of the thousands of men would remain, just a slew of
anti-Asian legislation once the need for their labor was finished.
Less than 6 years later, The Page Act of 1875 would begin restriction of immigration from East
Asia and halt almost all Chinese women from entering the country1
Asia and halt almost all Chinese women from entering the country1
. A profusion of anti-Asian
propaganda would flood through American media, centering on the image of the women as
prostitutes, the men as sneaky, and the entirety as “illiterate, undesirable, full of “filth and
disease” and unassimilable”.
propaganda would flood through American media, centering on the image of the women as
prostitutes, the men as sneaky, and the entirety as “illiterate, undesirable, full of “filth and
disease” and unassimilable”.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 would follow and indefinitely prohibit the immigration of
any individual of Chinese origin or descent from immigrating into the United States.
any individual of Chinese origin or descent from immigrating into the United States.
Boston, Massachusetts
2008-2023
2008-2023
Born in 1921, my grandfather, barely out of high school and working various jobs, joined the Air
Force in 1941 as a part of the first wave of draftees. He was to be sent to the Pacific Theater the
following year as the war against Japan began to ramp up. Like many, he rarely spoke of the
experience. All I knew for the majority of my childhood would be that this is where he would
meet my grandmother. When I learned of his participation in the war, I was curious, as any
middle school boy would be. Yet, any mention of the war was silently forbidden. I once dared to
ask and was met with silence followed by one of the only times I ever saw him cry. My aunt
quickly shooed me out of the room, letting me know that even the thought was too
overwhelming for him. I only began to learn of the horrors through documentaries and other
accounts. To this day, I’m curious how much his children even knew of his experience. How
much was under lock and key?
In the fall of 2019 I went on a few dates with a coworker of mine. Working at a combined
elementary-middle school, we very well were the only two people younger than 45. On our
dates, I learned of her fascination with anime, manga, cosplaying, etc. Up until that point, I
vaguely recalled my love of late night Toonami on Cartoon Network - my flirtings with InuYasha
, Dragonball Z, and my youthful obsession with Pokemon in that early 2000s sphere. However,
the only words I could conjure in my brain when anyone in high school would talk of their love
for these things were ‘hentai loving weirdos'. Yet, I gave it another try. I went home and watched
what was considered to be good “starting material”.
Force in 1941 as a part of the first wave of draftees. He was to be sent to the Pacific Theater the
following year as the war against Japan began to ramp up. Like many, he rarely spoke of the
experience. All I knew for the majority of my childhood would be that this is where he would
meet my grandmother. When I learned of his participation in the war, I was curious, as any
middle school boy would be. Yet, any mention of the war was silently forbidden. I once dared to
ask and was met with silence followed by one of the only times I ever saw him cry. My aunt
quickly shooed me out of the room, letting me know that even the thought was too
overwhelming for him. I only began to learn of the horrors through documentaries and other
accounts. To this day, I’m curious how much his children even knew of his experience. How
much was under lock and key?
In the fall of 2019 I went on a few dates with a coworker of mine. Working at a combined
elementary-middle school, we very well were the only two people younger than 45. On our
dates, I learned of her fascination with anime, manga, cosplaying, etc. Up until that point, I
vaguely recalled my love of late night Toonami on Cartoon Network - my flirtings with InuYasha
, Dragonball Z, and my youthful obsession with Pokemon in that early 2000s sphere. However,
the only words I could conjure in my brain when anyone in high school would talk of their love
for these things were ‘hentai loving weirdos'. Yet, I gave it another try. I went home and watched
what was considered to be good “starting material”.
I fell in love.
More than 4 years later, that relationship has faded, leaving in its wake a die hard passion for
language learning and cultural appreciation. I fell hard, taking Japanese lessons, reading
countless historical, cultural, and fictional books surrounding this place I found so different to
my own. I eventually set my sights on moving there and finding a job, even going as far as
getting my Teach English as a Second Language certification.
However, even with this ardency, I feel myself being tossed back into that moment asking my
grandfather about his time in the war. Well-meaning questions burn through me. Relatives asking
me things like “Where did that come from?”, “What do you get out of it?”, “Is there anything
you can even do with it?”, followed by blank stares or looks of repudiation as I open my heart to
answer.
I’m sweating.
I can sense this familial history is more on the forefront of their mind than it was on mine. “How
could you want to partake in a culture and history that has caused pain for us?” - the masked
question under the unassuming curiosity.
language learning and cultural appreciation. I fell hard, taking Japanese lessons, reading
countless historical, cultural, and fictional books surrounding this place I found so different to
my own. I eventually set my sights on moving there and finding a job, even going as far as
getting my Teach English as a Second Language certification.
However, even with this ardency, I feel myself being tossed back into that moment asking my
grandfather about his time in the war. Well-meaning questions burn through me. Relatives asking
me things like “Where did that come from?”, “What do you get out of it?”, “Is there anything
you can even do with it?”, followed by blank stares or looks of repudiation as I open my heart to
answer.
I’m sweating.
I can sense this familial history is more on the forefront of their mind than it was on mine. “How
could you want to partake in a culture and history that has caused pain for us?” - the masked
question under the unassuming curiosity.
San Leandro, California
May 30, 1942
May 30, 1942
Oakland-born Fred Korematsu is arrested while walking down the street with his girlfriend, on
suspicion that he is Japanese. Korematsu. Living under the name Clyde Sarah, Korematsu told
police he was of Spanish and Hawaiian descent. However, upon further investigation, his story
broke down and he was thrown into custody, initially in Presidio before being relocated to
Tanforan Assembly Center - a former racetrack now detention center holding nearly 7,800
people, including Korematsu’s family.
suspicion that he is Japanese. Korematsu. Living under the name Clyde Sarah, Korematsu told
police he was of Spanish and Hawaiian descent. However, upon further investigation, his story
broke down and he was thrown into custody, initially in Presidio before being relocated to
Tanforan Assembly Center - a former racetrack now detention center holding nearly 7,800
people, including Korematsu’s family.
Three weeks earlier, Executive Order 9066 was put into effect, an order which “authorized
military commanders to exclude civilians from military areas”. With the entire West Coast now
deemed a military area due to a declaration of war on Japan post-Pearl Harbor, officers would
give notice of as little as 48 hours for individuals of Japanese descent to leave the area. As a
precursor, Congress would pass Public Law 508, specifying “criminal penalties for violating
military restrictions on civilians authorized” would result in up to one year in prison and a $5000
fine.
military commanders to exclude civilians from military areas”. With the entire West Coast now
deemed a military area due to a declaration of war on Japan post-Pearl Harbor, officers would
give notice of as little as 48 hours for individuals of Japanese descent to leave the area. As a
precursor, Congress would pass Public Law 508, specifying “criminal penalties for violating
military restrictions on civilians authorized” would result in up to one year in prison and a $5000
fine.
Thousands of American-Japanese and Japanese immigrants alike would initially resist, but were eventually forced into “assembly centers” just like the one Fred Korematsu’s family would
be held in. Families who could not make accommodations in such a short amount of time would
lose most of their belongings and property forever.
be held in. Families who could not make accommodations in such a short amount of time would
lose most of their belongings and property forever.
Soon, families would be shipped hundreds or even thousands of miles away from their homes, to
“relocation centers”, temporary holdings for the duration of the war on suspicion that these
individuals would “turn on” the US in favor of Japan. Here, they would be housed in
barrack-style structures, given military-style cots to sleep on, and given little resources in terms
of food, work, or recreation.
People grew used to the lives they had in the internment camps, but nothing could bring back the
personal items or sense of community they had lost during their time in the camps.
Those who proved their loyalty would be allowed to return to the west coast towards the start of
1945, but would face hostility and acts of terrorism in the process - “Three shotgun blasts into a
Fowler home on February 10, another in Fresno on February 16, a home burned down in Selma.
Shots fired into homes in Visalia and Lancaster on February 26, the Buddhist Temple in Delano
burned down on February 27 followed by the Delano Japanese school going up in flames on
March 11.”
Individuals like Fred Korematsu would continue to fight for retribution, only being recognized
officially in 1988 with formal apologies and reparations paid out to those affected.
“relocation centers”, temporary holdings for the duration of the war on suspicion that these
individuals would “turn on” the US in favor of Japan. Here, they would be housed in
barrack-style structures, given military-style cots to sleep on, and given little resources in terms
of food, work, or recreation.
People grew used to the lives they had in the internment camps, but nothing could bring back the
personal items or sense of community they had lost during their time in the camps.
Those who proved their loyalty would be allowed to return to the west coast towards the start of
1945, but would face hostility and acts of terrorism in the process - “Three shotgun blasts into a
Fowler home on February 10, another in Fresno on February 16, a home burned down in Selma.
Shots fired into homes in Visalia and Lancaster on February 26, the Buddhist Temple in Delano
burned down on February 27 followed by the Delano Japanese school going up in flames on
March 11.”
Individuals like Fred Korematsu would continue to fight for retribution, only being recognized
officially in 1988 with formal apologies and reparations paid out to those affected.
Tense Encounters
What does that say?
That’s Chinese, not Japanese.
Try saying something to the waiter.
I’m pretty sure the family that runs this place is Korean.
Aren’t they into weird tentacle shit there?
I mean there’s a small amount but it’s not exactly mainstream.If I lived there I’d get sick of eating raw fish everyday.
That’s Chinese, not Japanese.
Try saying something to the waiter.
I’m pretty sure the family that runs this place is Korean.
Aren’t they into weird tentacle shit there?
I mean there’s a small amount but it’s not exactly mainstream.If I lived there I’d get sick of eating raw fish everyday.
There’s other kinds of food besides raw fish.
Wouldn’t you get sick of bowing all the time?
Are you sick of shaking people’s hands?
Oh, just another white guy talking about Japanese culture.
Wouldn’t you get sick of bowing all the time?
Are you sick of shaking people’s hands?
Oh, just another white guy talking about Japanese culture.
Seekonk, Massachusetts
March 15, 2020
News reports of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus lead to numerous states implementing
shutdowns. The New York City Public City school system, with 1.1 million students, shuts down
completely for its first time. The virus, declared a pandemic by WHO just days before, causes
mass hysteria. Medical personnel are heralded for their heroism, politicians are battered for poor
handling of the situation, neighbors are isolated from one another. Strong reactions are flung
violently through social and mass media.
Through all this, a resentment of the virus’ origin festers and mutates with each passing day and
each death to follow.
“We have all seen the Chinese eating mice alive” states one Italian governor.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s minister for education denigrates the virus as China’s “plan for world
domination”.
I see my friends hurt. I find myself drifting through sleepless nights. What can I do?
“Listen”, my friend Mike advises. “You can read, you can write, but most importantly, I want
you to listen”. I’ve heard, I’m listening! I think to myself.
shutdowns. The New York City Public City school system, with 1.1 million students, shuts down
completely for its first time. The virus, declared a pandemic by WHO just days before, causes
mass hysteria. Medical personnel are heralded for their heroism, politicians are battered for poor
handling of the situation, neighbors are isolated from one another. Strong reactions are flung
violently through social and mass media.
Through all this, a resentment of the virus’ origin festers and mutates with each passing day and
each death to follow.
“We have all seen the Chinese eating mice alive” states one Italian governor.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s minister for education denigrates the virus as China’s “plan for world
domination”.
I see my friends hurt. I find myself drifting through sleepless nights. What can I do?
“Listen”, my friend Mike advises. “You can read, you can write, but most importantly, I want
you to listen”. I’ve heard, I’m listening! I think to myself.
It’s sometimes hard to connect when we are so focused on the fact that we are in the act of doing
something rather than fully engaging. In my case, I found myself hearing, thinking about my
body language, etc, that I never truly listened.
When I opened myself up is when I noticed what I had been desensitized to; through media,
through conversations in my past, and through my own ignorance. I began to pick up on the
linguistic tricks that are used to twist events and to dehumanize groups that aren’t in/oppose the
national white majority.
As someone yearning to eventually become a documentarian, I am learning how to avoid such
behaviors and that, at times, the process can be incredibly difficult. How can I see if I am making
some sort of mistake if I only have my own lens to look through?
something rather than fully engaging. In my case, I found myself hearing, thinking about my
body language, etc, that I never truly listened.
When I opened myself up is when I noticed what I had been desensitized to; through media,
through conversations in my past, and through my own ignorance. I began to pick up on the
linguistic tricks that are used to twist events and to dehumanize groups that aren’t in/oppose the
national white majority.
As someone yearning to eventually become a documentarian, I am learning how to avoid such
behaviors and that, at times, the process can be incredibly difficult. How can I see if I am making
some sort of mistake if I only have my own lens to look through?