<Begin Segment 6>

FK: If you had a message for people who are living on the island now, as far as your own experiences on the island and so forth, what message would you like to give them?

AB: Let's see... in terms of the farming history? Or in terms just the island in general?

FK: How about both.

AB: About both?

FK: Uh-huh.

AB: Well, I think the farming is so important. Just... I don't think anyone is really aware of kind of the magnitude of how the war changed the landscape of Bainbridge Island. So I mean I would want people to know about that history. As far as a message, I always, I mean... it's really hard. It was really hard to read that in the paper. That someone who, I found out, was not from here.... it's just... I would just hope that people would want to learn more about where they're living, I guess. And not forget, forget to look back, I suppose. And then in terms of the other question... was just more of the island in general, I guess?

FK: Uh-huh.

AB: Gosh, I'm not sure. For kids growing up on Bainbridge? Oh wow. Enjoy it. [Laughs] Yeah, I don't know. I mean I have cousins that are still in school here. I think it's just a lot different than when I was here, already. And that was ten years ago.

FK: You know, I've sensed over the years that there've been some conflict between kids that were Filipino and kids that were Indipino. Do you have any feelings about that or any things you'd like to say about that?

AB: You know, I'm aware of those sorts of conflicts, but I never experienced it firsthand. The only thing I can really say is, when I was in high school, there was an organization and... I don't know. I mean, sometimes I felt like it was difficult because I wasn't full Filipino, which... I mean I never felt any sort of discrimination or anything. That's not it. But, you know... it's kind of weird because I didn't completely identify with... I, yeah, no. That's not true. I mean, I always felt welcome with other Filipino kids, but it is... I mean and I think a lot of kids go through that maybe. I never had any issues with the Indipinos or Filipino kids that... during my years growing up here.

FK: Now if there was any message that you wanted to give to kids now as far as the kids that are now in Bainbridge High School, and they have that identity problem... was there any message that you would like to tell them?

AB: Don't get wrapped up in those issues. I don't know, I don't know, Frank. Embrace everyone. I mean, I don't know. I'm the type of person that just... I don't know. If you can, you know, offer me some... something along the lines of friendship or if you're an interesting person, I just... yeah, I've never had issues with others. And again, that's part of the unique situation on Bainbridge Island. But, I guess in recent years I have heard of some racial issues on the island and it's... I guess it's everywhere. I'm blown away by that. It's just... yeah.

FK: What do you... you know there are, sometimes, there are racial issues. What do you, what do you think causes that? Why do you think some people are so stuck on ethnicity or racial problems? Or see that as a negative type thing? Is there any reasons you think?

AB: Fear maybe?

FK: Fear?

AB: I don't... yeah, 'cause there's both sides. One side is, you have so much pride. Or not.. that's not the right word either. But, you stick to being around your type of people and I think that's a downfall in a sense. 'Cause that's not how this country was founded. And this was just basic, general social issues. But, I kind of felt like, when I was reading this article about this woman that... who was very opposed to this... maybe there was some sort of sense of fear. And that... I don't know what her agenda was. But maybe... I don't know. It's a big question mark. I don't understand. I don't know.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright © 2007 Densho. All Rights Reserved.