Works in Progress Explore Executive Order 9066
By JOHN POWERS
Rafu Contributor
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007

Feb. 19 is the 65th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a legal action known as Executive Order 9066. With that, he swept away the constitutional rights of 120,000 citizens and legal residents. Both the FBI and Naval Intelligence, which had been monitoring the activities of citizens and residents alike for up to 10 years prior, reported that there was no threat. However, Roosevelt signed the order and strengthened his hand politically by appeasing the war hysteria and racism of many residents in Western states.

In drawing attention to this historical event, a number significant films and theatrical works by Japanese American artists have been selected to comprise the 2007 Works in Progress series, which will be staged in the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance. These works explore the affect of this action on the Japanese American community and raise comparisons to how our nation reacted to law-abiding Muslims and Arab American in the aftermath of 9/11.

The first presentation will be Monday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Armstrong Theatre. It will include the showing of  the film “Stand Up for Justice,” produced by Visual Communications and Nikkei Civil Rights & Redress. This drama about a young Mexican American who goes to Manzanar with his Nisei friends demonstrates the power that one person can have in the face of overwhelming odds.

Also showing will be “9066 to 9/11” produced by Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum. This documentary show parallels between the post-Sept. 11 treatment of Arab Americans with the treatment of JAs during World War II.

Following these two short films will be a panel discussion of the history, impact, and current implications of this denial of civil liberties. Panelists include some of the leading authorities in this field, including Aiko Yoshinaga-Herzig, Edina Lekovic, Lane Hirabayashi, and Alan Nishio. This event is free, but tickets are required by calling Box Office (310) 781-7171.

The second presentation will be Wednesday, March 28, 7 p.m., Nakano Theatre. “Camp Dance,” a play by Soji Kashiwagi, is a revue of stories, vignettes, songs, and dances from the camp experience. This work features an appearance by Mary Nomura, “The Songbird of Manzanar.” Q & A with artists will follow.

The third presentation will be Wednesday, April 25, 7 p.m., Nakano Theatre. “Question 27, Question 28,” a play by Chay Yew, is a theater work about about the struggles, plight, and courage of Japanese American female detainees.The final presentation of the series will be Wednesday, May 30, 7 p.m., Nakano Theatre. “A Divided Community,” a play by Momo Yashima, Frank Chin, and “the Resisters,” is a dramatic reading by actual Heart Mountain resisters and their supporters, including Frank Emi, Yosh Kuromiya, and Paul Tsuneishi, who challenged the government for its abridgement of their civil rights. Q & A with artists will follow.

Tickets for the events are: $25 Adults / $23 Senior & Students / $21 Subscribers. Call Box Office (310) 781-7171. Open seating to all events, and early seating for subscribers.

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