A symposium exploring allies of Japanese Americans during World War II who defended and supported those living under martial law in Hawaii, in the U.S. military, and behind barbed wire in War Relocation Authority camps as well as in their resettlement once out of camp. Leading scholars, filmmakers, and writers present their findings about Buddhist and Christian clergy, African American and Chinese American leaders, and others who courageously spoke out for the Japanese American community.

This event is co-sponsored by the Japanese American National Museum

The schedule below is subject to change. 

10-10:15am Welcome – Duncan Williams (USC)

10:15am-12pm Session I: Race Relations and the Mass Incarceration

Screening of Emily Light: A Light in the Darkness and Discussion with Kimiko Marr (Filmmaker/ Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages)

Scott Kurashige (University of Washington) “Multiracial Solidarity in Little Tokyo and Bronzeville”

12pm-1:30pm Lunch Break

1:30-3:30pm Session II: Asian American Supporters Beyond the Camps: Hawai‘i and the Military

“Kansha, Hung Wai Ching, and How Hawai‘i Changed America”
Talk by Director Tom Coffman (Filmmaker/Author) and Screening of The First Battle 

Edward Chang (UC Riverside) “Unsung Hero: Col. Young Oak Kim Story”

3:30-3:45pm Tea Break

3:45-5pm Session III: Buddhist-Christian Supporters of Faith

Michihiro Ama (University of Montana) “Revisiting Euro-American and Japanese-American Buddhist Interactions in 1930s and 1940s”

Beth Hessel (Presbyterian Historical Society) “Justice, Mercy, and Anti-Racism Efforts - Was it Enough?: White Protestant Allies of Japanese Americans”

Flyer | RSVP | Abstracts and bios