Travel Tips

Pearl Harbor brought out some of the best of America, but also some of the worst. It shocked America with both its spontaneity and its fury. Measures in its wake were taken that were both misguided and simply wrong. One of those was the round up of Japanese American families living along the West Coast. The fear was that these families – most, who were citizens of the US – would rise up and aid potential invading forces of Imperial Japan. Families were forced out of their homes and resettled into camps that were in the western interior far from the coastlines – Manzanar, Tule Lake, …. Fear can drive good men to bad things.

On the north end of Waterfront Park, the Japanese American Historical Plaza addresses these wrongs that were committed, in the hope that they will not be repeated. The Plaza honors those who were wronged and provides a peaceful respite from the busy City that surrounds. Stones are inscribed – in both Japanese and English – with voices from the past, strong with emotion and life. It is a place of remembrance and strength.

War and change,
My native land
Once so hard to leave,
Is behind me now
forever.

Glancing up
At red tinged mountains,
My heart is softened,
A day in deep autumn.

Through the car window
A glimpse of pines,
Oregon mountains,
My heart beats faster,
Returning home.

Going home,
Feeling cheated,
Gripping my daughter's hand.
I tell her we're leaving
Without emotion.

With new hope,
We build new lives.
Why complain when it rains?
This is what it means to be free.

Sure, I go to school
Same as you.
I'm an American.

Mighty Willamette!
Beautiful friend.
I am learning,
I am practising
to say your name.