<Begin Segment 32>

BK: As you reflect back, how have your views about internment changed over the years?

SU: How internment?

BK: How your views, with regard to internment --

SU: Oh.

BK: That whole upheaval. How has that changed over the years?

SU: How the media thinks of it, or the community?

BK: No. How has your views, as you were going through internment, I'm sure you had one set of views. As you're able to step back and kind of reflect on that whole experience, how have you changed your views, your ideas, about what had happened to you?

SU: Well, actually, I've always thought it was wrong. But what could we do against the wrong done by a government? And I've always defended JACL's stand, that we must listen to what the government is telling you, which quite of few of my friends don't agree with. They say that they should have not consent -- encouraged us to go into camp. But when there's an army right back of you who's going to shoot you down if you don't do what they want you to do, what could they do? And not only that, people, their leaders like Mike Masaoka, same age as I am, we were too young to be actually talking for the community. And they tried to do the best they can. So I've always defended JACL's stand on why they encouraged us to go in, into camps. But I do hear, my children have said, "Why did you go in? I would have done this, or I would have done that." It's very easy to say things like that in hindsight. But at that time, we couldn't. I know we couldn't. So we did what we did. Can't be helped.

BK: And have your views become even stronger as the time has elapsed?

SU: Remained same, except for people that raise objections. Then I do get up and say my bit. But I'm really just a follower, not a leader. So that's why I just, spending the rest of my life very contentedly.

BK: And Shigeko, I think that probably the community would really not agree with your assessment of self. I think that you, again, as I've said before, have always been there for the community kinds of involvement, and advancement of the community kinds of agendas. And so, definitely, I don't think anybody in the community would ever say that Shigeko Uno is a follower.

SU: Oh, yes.

BK: And with that, then I would like to ask you one last question. Is there anything that you would like your children, or your grandchildren, or even your great-grandchildren, to know and remember about internment?

SU: Well, I think the Japanese as a whole, who were put into camp, have come up a stronger person. We've had to meet the challenge, as I said, of going to strange cities and reestablishing themselves. A lot of people who have stayed in the Midwest and the East Coast, who have not come back to the West Coast, because they found a niche for themselves or their children. And they're into all kinds of businesses. They work in beautiful offices. And they're given opportunities, which I don't think we would have had, if we were not dispersed. Sad as it is, I mean, it had to come that way. But I think we came out stronger. And a better citizen. See, the government, Bush -- I mean, Reagan signed that apology and bill.

BK: Right.

SU: It's been worth working, really, for the betterment of each other. We're just not doing it just for ourselves. And then lots of other people who are much more better people for having done what they did. I just supported them, people like Cherry or Tomio, or that bunch.

BK: Okay.

SU: So I shall continue.

BK: Very good. We hope you will. Well...

SU: As long as I'm useful and my brain is working.

BK: Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, on behalf of Densho, Alice, Steve, and I would really like to thank you so much for sharing your story. We've appreciated your candor and your insights. It's been very, very helpful. So thank you, again.

SU: Well, thank you for asking, really.

<End Segment 32> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.