<Begin Segment 39>

AI: And as this was going on, I'm wondering what your kids thought. Did your son or daughter have any thoughts or comment on this whole redress situation and Art having been denied?

BS: Well, I don't even recall even really discussing it with our kids. And I don't recall.

AI: And at some point in this process, then, after Art and the other Japanese Peruvians had been denied redress, then I think it was 1996 that the Mochizuki case was brought and the campaign for justice for Latin Americans effort was going. And then Art began, he was speaking and giving interviews?

BS: Yes. Yes. And then, then our kids, it got their attention. Because Art is not the kind of person who likes to go out and speak. And he more or less had to, to represent the family and the Peruvians who, Peruvians who were denied and who were unable to tell their stories, so he was... and his was such an unusual case and that. So he started making speeches and going to colleges and...

AI: Was that surprising to you?

BS: Kind of. [Laughs] It was... I can't remember. I did start attending the, when he would go speak at community colleges and stuff. I was very surprised to see him tell his story but I was glad, I was very pleased that he was willing to do it.

AI: And when you were in the audience at times, what kinds of reactions did you see from other audience members, what...

BS: The surprise and shock and, there were people, a lot of people curious and... even Japanese Americans didn't know the story and they were just shocked.

AI: Well, also in, now, over these years I understand that the Japanese Peruvians got together from time to time and they started having some reunions. Did you attend some of those reunions?

BS: Oh, yes. Well, we attended the first one because it was supposed, 'cause it was held in San Jose and it was like, the Shibayamas, I guess, were supposed to organize it and that. And so I attended that one. And it was nice to meet all the Peruvians and... they're such a friendly, charming people, really. And I was just accepted. I just felt like one of them. They're very nice people.

AI: Wow, that must have been quite a gathering, the first time that they got together.

BS: I really don't remember what, the number of people that went. And then they had other reunions, too. And hopefully next year we'll be going to Okinawa for a reunion.

<End Segment 39> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.