Densho Digital Archive - George Kikuta Interview (denshovh-kgeorge

<Begin Segment 13>

RP: I'd like to kind of go back to the topic of Manzanar just for a few questions. One, have you returned to Manzanar and visited?

GK: Yes, many times, many times.

RP: A place where you, that was your home for a while. And I guess the second part of that question is, I assume that you have some kids.

GK: Right.

RP: And what have you been able to share about the experience --

GK: Oh, I should have brought the picture that we have in the living room. We visit Monmouth once a year, minimum once a year. So on the way to Monmouth, either on the way there or coming back, we always stop by. Even before you people built that nice museum-like building, they had only, only a gate or a gatepost or something. We used stop by there and we reminisced, and we explained to our children, even when they were smaller, much smaller, we explained, "This is where I was raised," and went through that, the camp experience, and why Japanese Americans were here. And most recently, it was about three years ago, I think, we had the entire family, my kids and their family went to Monmouth, and on the way back, we stopped by there and took a picture. We went through our names. So at least my family and my kids' family are aware of what the Manzanar is, and they've been through the new facility. It was nice. I hope, I hope they're gonna keep improving that facility.

RP: That's our plan. Other than the obstacle of language when you came back to this country, what other, what other obstacles did you kind of have to overcome sort of trying to feel that part of you that was American?

GK: You know, I always try to turn and look the other side. When I was in this accounting profession, some younger staff felt frustrated, discriminated, or not given the opportunity. I said, "That's the other way around. This big firm, you've got dark hair, short, and yellow face, they'll recognize you right away. If you're a six-foot blonde and good-looking, tall, good-looking, nobody will notice you." [Laughs] So I said, "If you're good, they'll notice you right away, because you're different." So I said, you know, I always think that way. And I felt I was given a fair chance. It's up to me to prove that I could deliver. And I think I did deliver, so I was treated good. So many people, I think, they're a lot of crybabies, in my view. Maybe it's not fair to say that to some handicapped people, but if you're not handicapped and able-bodied, it's up to you to prove, right? No free lunch, right? [Laughs]

RP: Yeah.