Marjorie Matsushita Sperling Interview Segment 15

Born in Wapato, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-273-1) - 00:01:36
Description of father: establishing a Japanese American community in the Yakima valley (ddr-densho-1000-273-2) - 00:06:32
Mother's arrival in the U.S. as a "picture bride": "it was a shock for her" (ddr-densho-1000-273-3) - 00:04:22
Description of two older sisters (ddr-densho-1000-273-4) - 00:06:33
The prewar Japanese American community in Wapato, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-273-5) - 00:05:13
Relations between whites and Japanese in the Yakima valley: "I think they tolerated each other" (ddr-densho-1000-273-6) - 00:04:34
Parents' leasing of land under daughter's name (ddr-densho-1000-273-7) - 00:02:21
Feeling free to speak out, even as a child (ddr-densho-1000-273-8) - 00:03:13
Attending school (ddr-densho-1000-273-9) - 00:02:46
Helping out on the family farm (ddr-densho-1000-273-10) - 00:02:59
Moving to Seattle, attending the University of Washington (ddr-densho-1000-273-11) - 00:02:10
Returning to family in Wapato after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-densho-1000-273-12) - 00:03:40
Firebombing incident of family home (ddr-densho-1000-273-13) - 00:02:18
Hearing about other areas being removed (ddr-densho-1000-273-14) - 00:03:28
The journey to the Portland Livestock Center (ddr-densho-1000-273-15) - 00:06:21
Home community divided and sent to separate camps (ddr-densho-1000-273-16) - 00:03:59
Early impressions of Heart Mountain (ddr-densho-1000-273-17) - 00:04:22
Working for the recreation department, planning activities for kids (ddr-densho-1000-273-18) - 00:04:24
Adjusting to life in camp (ddr-densho-1000-273-19) - 00:06:39
Leaving camp and going to school in Minnesota (ddr-densho-1000-273-20) - 00:04:04
Working for a municipal recreation department (ddr-densho-1000-273-21) - 00:03:30
Returning to Wapato, observing changes in the Japanese American community (ddr-densho-1000-273-22) - 00:04:48
A new experience: working in Great Falls, Montana (ddr-densho-1000-273-23) - 00:03:57
Job as Service Club Director at Larson Air Force Base (ddr-densho-1000-273-24) - 00:04:09
Moving to Santa Rosa, California (ddr-densho-1000-273-25) - 00:03:31
Shifting careers: working as Director of Volunteers (ddr-densho-1000-273-26) - 00:03:14
Working for community and educational groups (ddr-densho-1000-273-27) - 00:05:35
Involvement in Teens Make a Difference Day (ddr-densho-1000-273-28) - 00:02:26
Working with groups in an effort to preserve the concentration camps (ddr-densho-1000-273-29) - 00:04:50
Reflections: importance of speaking up (ddr-densho-1000-273-30) - 00:01:17
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ddr-densho-1000-273-15 (Legacy UID: denshovh-smarjorie-01-0015)

The journey to the Portland Livestock Center

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

00:06:21 — Segment 15 of 30

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February 24, 2010

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-273

Marjorie Matsushita Sperling

Marjorie Matsushita Sperling Interview

01:58:51 — 30 segments

February 24, 2010

Culver City, California

Nisei female. Born July 27, 1922, in Wapato, Washington. Grew up in Wapato, where family ran a farm. Was attending the University of Washington when the war broke out on December 7, 1941. Removed with family to the Portland Assembly Center, Oregon, and the Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming. While in camp, worked for the recreation department. Left camp and attended college in St. Paul, Minnesota. After the war, became very active in the field of recreation, as well as with community and educational groups. Involved in efforts to preserve the sites of the wartime incarceration camps.

(This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.)

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

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