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BF: Do you think that, you talked about developing pride. And it sounds like you're saying part of that is pride in both who we are and what the community has gone through as a community. Do you think that the Japanese American community, have they accepted the internment, and has it become a source of, of pride in so far as what they accomplished and gone through and survived? Or is it still something that is looked on with sort of shame? What do you think -- how far have we gone with that?

PN: This is where I think the Sansei, Yonsei have to give leadership and direction. The Nisei who were the victims of oppression and injustice are oftentimes called the "Quiet Americans" -- you know, they don't assert themselves. But I think that the Sansei, Yonsei can see things in a different perspective, and realize that an internment experience is the singular experience among the Japanese Americans that recognize a people of having experienced something very, very unique -- a tremendous injustice. And that can be used not only to bring the community together, but to recognize the need for affirming who we are as a group of people. And that's what I think you're doing. I mean, this is so wonderful -- that you begin to realize that this is a, a vehicle that we can use to really develop our strength as a group of people, not for the sake of just for our own, but for the sake of developing real community in the world and peace and harmony among all people. So, I mean, this is where we are in history, I think. The Sansei, Yonsei and this project are doing things like that that is so vital for the future. And then it's not easy because you know you've got a lot of intermarriage. You've got the fourth, fifth generation to worry about and what's happening. But I think this is one moment in history when we begin to start to do that sort of thing, to develop this pride and affirmation of who we are as Japanese Americans. And it's okay if it's -- becomes diluted with other racial groups. But as far as the identification as Japanese American, I think it's very important.

<End Segment 16> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.