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TI: Something else we've talked about in the past that you also had talked about was, you also were concerned that Densho would stir up some of the divisions or, in particular, around the military service, like the 442 guys and draft resisters. That by Densho talking to... and I talked with you earlier that it was going to be more than just getting the 442 story, I was going to talk to the draft resisters and others, and women, and you were, I think, a little concerned about that, too.

[Interruption]

TI: And so is a concern that because we're kind of doing this, these stories so far after the war, that a lot of it is being kind of changed in some way? That it's not as true or authentic as you think it should be, and that's one of the problems with this project?

VI: Yeah. Because when I was talking to you, and I know that you're going to have it on the records, we've got to tell you a bad story. We can't tell you that this was the best time of our lives, we had fun. Of course, being teenagers, we can say that. That's our... now, the older people are a little bit different, and the younger people are a little bit different, because they weren't old enough to really experience anything. We were right in the middle between, say, fifteen and twenty-something, that group. So that's the reason why I think we were missing a whole bunch. But we'll go along with what you're doing because it really is what happened. But for personal experience, we all had different ones. But if you were a farmer's daughter, oh boy, you had the best time of your life in camp. Because now you don't have to go out in the field, and you met friends that you never would have met.

TI: And these are things that, like, a farmer's daughter would tell you, kind of, just because she knows you and she can do that, but she can't do that.

VI: No, we can see that. And they have mentioned, we have so many friends that when we were at home, we didn't get a chance to meet them. But when we went to camp, you made a whole bunch of friends. So you had instances like that. You talk about the Isseis. Now, nobody says that the time that they spent, the Isseis, were probably the best years of their life. Because here, where they were, before the war, they were working their butts off trying to keep their family going, the majority of them. And they were barely making a living, except our standard of living was so low that we never knew we were having a bad time. Now, they go to camp, all of a sudden, they didn't have to worry about the family, they didn't have to worry about work. They played games and stuff, goh and stuff, or they may be a cook or something. But that tremendous pressure they had before the war, for a time being, was gone. And things like that, you can't say that to the public. To say, for some people, this was the best thing that happened to them. And that, things like that, never would come out. But when you saw my dad playing baseball, man, he would never do that bringing us up. They'll take two jobs instead. And my mom would help Dad. And once they got there, they got women's group and stuff for the Isseis and stuff. Which they wouldn't have had a chance to do it as soon as they can. But that story never comes out.

TI: Well, it's coming out now. [Laughs]

VI: Yeah, it's coming out now. It's contrary to what you people are saying. So as far as I'm concerned, I don't want that to come out, because that would kind of show that the Caucasians, that it wasn't that bad, what are they complaining about? So I don't want that to come out.

TI: No, I get that. And we've had this conversation, and that's why, in some ways, I do want this perspective to be there so that...

VI: Well, it's up to you. But, see, I can say that to Tom because he's family. Some people, if I say that, would feel bitter about saying that. But if you really think about it, especially like farmer or poor people, poor Isseis, bachelors, they were struggling, and all of a sudden they're pulled in, and for three years, and really no worry about, they couldn't do anything to take care of the kids anyway. So that's the story.

TI: No, this is what I wanted.

VI: So there's a lot of things that I feel, I don't come out with, especially when you're doing Densho.

TI: No, but I think, as you say, this is hard for people to share, but that's why I want to do this. So, Dad, we're past noon.

<End Segment 21> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.