<Begin Segment 9>

AR: How about what do you think the legacy of your generation, the Nisei generation is, have you thought about that?

RE: Well you know...

AR: Let me back up and let me ask you this. What kind of Japanese traits do you like to see passed on to the future generations and which kind of Japanese traits did you, you or your generation and your siblings renounce?

RE: I think what's missing today mostly in our third, fourth, maybe fifth generation is the fact that they don't understand the word "endure." I think it was pounded into us, no matter how uncomfortable situations were, such as our incarceration into these camps and that, it was the word Japanese call shikata ga nai, it can't be helped but you must learn to endure these unfortunate circumstances. For somewhere on the horizon good things will be there if you work hard and you stay and you do endure the problems that we have now. I think that's one of the important things. I think another important thing is respecting elders, and also make sure the children respect elders. You bring up your kids to respect the older generation.

AR: Are there any traits or characteristics of your parents' generation that you said, "We don't need that"? That haven't fit well with your life or that you...

RE: Oh, you know, I think one of the things was that I didn't like with my parents... I don't think it's a big issue but as much as they loved us, there was no great expression of love by hugging, expressing, "I love you," or things of that. And I've done my darndest and so did my wife to make sure that the kids understood that we do care with them, we verbalize, hug them, did things. I think if there's any fault with that generation, or even the second generation, many of them still carried that apartness and, not very good, it's not good. I think we got the good things in America that says, let's show a little expression of love, care.

AR: Well, do you want to respond to that question about the Nisei and their contributions to...

RE: Well, that's a tough one. They, you know, if they did anything they, we all had to prove our loyalty to this country. We had to prove to everybody that we are good citizens, we are American as apple pie, we can be, but let us retain our culture, let us retain some of the customs. After all, did not all the other immigrants come with their customs and their celebration of something they brought back from the old country? I think we had to prove that we were truly good Americans first. I think the Nisei, the soldiers who fought in the battles went out there to prove that we are good Americans. I think those on the home front, we all, our parents said, "Show that you are good Americans. Show the good side all the time." And I think that was the generation that had to do those things to be accepted.

AR: Well, we're going to conclude this formal part of the interviewing process and I just wanted to ask if you have anything you want to add for people who may listen to this interview or read the transcripts.

RE: Oh, not right now. Maybe I can think about it.

AR: Well, thank you very much for participating in our project and for this interview.

RE: You're welcome, sure.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright © 2008 New Mexico JACL and Densho. All Rights Reserved.