<Begin Segment 6>

HH: A number, you experienced a number of things in your life, from the time you left Salinas to all the things you did in Philadelphia. Can you think of some events, some activities that you will always remember as being perhaps even a turning point in your life?

GI: Actually, I had no epoch-making event that I would call a turning point.

HH: Or it's of some significance?

GI: Some significance? Well, I think working for YORK Corporation gave me a direction on what I wanted to do as my life work, and that was in the field of mechanical engineering, low temperature work, not only mechanical refrigeration, but also into the field of cryogenics, and I made that my life career. And it has been very satisfying, enjoyable, got involved with the space program, and also into many international activities. So I have no regrets about the decision I made to go from civil engineering curriculum to mechanical engineering.

HH: Are you still working today?

GI: I've been retired from Air Products for eight years now, but I do have a, as needed- type contract where they can... agreement where they can call me anytime for consulting work.

HH: In the course of your life, from the time you lived in California to what you have, your life here in Pennsylvania, you experienced, perhaps various forms of racism or bigotry. Has it changed any of the shape or forms or any kind of trend that you could see, over the course of years, over the years?

GI: I think I'm less afraid of prejudice, by virtue of becoming an easterner than I would have been had I remained in California.

HH: Why so?

GI: Why so? Why do I feel that? Because my frequent visits to California and discussions with my friends that remained in California, their attitude and my attitude towards racism is quite different. Maybe it's because the Nikkeis back in California are more numerous, that they tend to stay together, much more cohesive. And out here, especially where we live, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, we're the only Nikkei family and we've been accepted. We have had no real open prejudice shown us except for one occasion, I will have to mention that. It did bother me, it scared my wife in that, during one of my talks during the redress activity, I did have a threatening phone call. But other than that, I've had no open face-to-face type prejudice. And that's saying a lot for Lehigh Valley where those local Dutch people wouldn't accept outsiders until they're there for about three generations.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright © 1994 JACL Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved.