80 Years of Reckoning: The Lessons and Legacy of Minidoka
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain
In June we gathered at the Minidoka National Historic Site to commemorate the beginning of the construction of Minidoka in June 1942. Speakers included:
• Karen Hirai Olen, Survivor
• Wendy Tokuda, Descendant
• Lisa Shiosaki Olsen, Descendant
• Wade Vagias, Superintendent of Minidoka National Historic Site
• The Honorable Jim Jones, Idaho Supreme Court (2007 - 2015)
80 years ago, the unconstitutional incarceration of Japanese Americans occurred because of wartime hysteria, racial prejudice, and a lack of political leadership. The rhyme today? Over the past few years, we have seen a similar and disturbing hysteria targeting Asian Americans. Scapegoating during the pandemic. A rise in violence and hateful rhetoric. Asian Americans seen as “foreigners,” people who are not part of the American fabric. Political leadership failing to stand up against racism and for what is right.
Now more than ever it is important for us to remember and understand the events of the past so that we learn from our mistakes. View the full video from "80 Years of Reckoning: The Lessons and Legacy of Minidoka" below:
