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16. Connections. Before reading this memoir, what did you already know about the internment 5
camps and forced relocations and imprisonment of people of Japanese descent during World
War II? If you knew a lot already, where did you get this information? If you did not know much,
why do you think that you have not heard about it before?
17. Research. In 1988, U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation that included a formal section three
apology to those of Japanese descent who were imprisoned during the war and paid each
survivor or descendant $20,000. Research the process this legislation went through to
become law and write an argument about whether it was the right thing to do and whether the /
U.S. response was sufficient. Additionally, what are the similarities and differences in the cases
of other groups who are also seeking reparations and an apology from the U.S. government,
such as Native Americans and African Americans? George Takei
18. Research. Because of the emotional context of World War II and the prevalent racial
discrimination at the time, there were very few prominent politicians who took a stand against
the internment of families like Takei’s. One was Colorado governor Ralph L. Carr, who spoke
out against the inhumane and unconstitutional treatment of the people interned in his state.
He once said, “If you harm them, you must harm me. I was brought up in a small town where I
knew the shame and dishonor of race hatred. I grew to despise it because it threatened the
happiness of you, and you, and you!” Research Carr’s and others’ opposition to the Japanese
internment and explain their rationales and the steps they took to end or mitigate the effects of
the government’s policies.
19. Creative Writing. This is told from the perspective of George, a young child at the time, but
one who is at least somewhat aware of his situation. Choose a short section from the graphic
memoir and rewrite it from the perspective of his father, mother, or younger brother. Then,
explain how changing the perspective affects your understanding of the scene.
20. Multimodal. Take a portion of a narrative that you may have written in the Skill Workshop
(p. 132) or draft a brief narrative in response to the prompts on pages 232–233 in the Writing
Workshop and transform it into a graphic memoir like this one. Be sure that you consider how
you will communicate dialogue, internal thoughts, setting, and perspective. Afterward, explain
the differences between the two mediums: which one best captures the meaning of the events
in your narrative? Why?

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