<Begin Segment 12>

MN: Okay, so we were asking, were talking about your experience at Santa Anita. Do you remember what your grandparents were doing in Santa Anita?

YH: No, I don't, but since my grandfather had to amputate one leg, I don't think he came to Santa Anita with us. But my grandmother was there, but I don't know, I don't know what, where she was. I never saw her in Santa Anita.

MN: So she didn't live with your family?

YH: No. She must've been in another barrack.

MN: Your grandfather, what happened to your grandfather's leg?

YH: I don't know what happened to it, but I know that, that his doctor said that he could get it fixed in Japan cheaper than he could in the U.S., so that's why my grandfather went to Japan.

MN: This is later.

YH: Yeah. This was before World War II.

MN: Okay. And did he get it fixed?

YH: Yeah, and then it was amputated. And I think it was his right leg, amputated below the knee, 'cause he wore one crutch under his arm.

MN: So he never went into Santa Anita?

YH: No.

MN: Now, Yuriko, you grew up in a very predominantly Caucasian neighborhood. How did it feel to be surrounded by so many Japanese Americans?

YH: Well yeah, I didn't, I'd never seen so many Japanese Americans in my life.

MN: Did it make you feel uncomfortable or more comfortable?

YH: It didn't make me either. It wasn't uncomfortable or it wasn't more comfortable.

MN: Now, Santa Anita had talent shows. Did you ever dance in them?

YH: No.

MN: Why not?

YH: I don't know. I thought they were, I guess I thought they were all for people who sang. I don't think I was old enough.

MN: You mentioned there were curfews at Santa Anita. When did you have to get back into your stall?

YH: I think before, before daybreak. Yeah, before it got too dark, so probably at dusk.

MN: Did anybody check?

YH: Yeah. There was a check every night.

MN: There was a riot at Santa Anita. Were you near the riots when that broke out?

YH: No.

MN: So from Santa Anita which camp were you sent to?

YH: To Jerome, Arkansas.

<End Segment 12> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.