Activity 4-4

Activity 4-4: Perspectives of Incarcerated Japanese Americans Through Poetry and Art

Introduction

This activity introduces students to perspectives on the Japanese American incarceration through poetry and art. Five groups of students will examine poetry, and five groups will examine art.

Time

Two to four class periods

Materials

Handout 4-4a: Poetry by Kenichi Takemoto (one copy)
Handout 4-4b: Poetry by Dr. Ruth Okimoto (one copy)
Handout 4-4c: Poetry by Lawson Inada (one copy)
Handout 4-4d: Poetry by Michiko Mizumoto (one copy)
Handout 4-4e: Poetry by Lois Takaoka (one copy)
Handout 4-4f: Artwork Group Tasks (five copies)
Paper
Old magazines and newspapers (at least three per group)
Markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue or tape

Download printer-friendly (PDF) file of Activity 4-4 handouts

Download printer-friendly (PDF) file of lesson page and activity procedures

Procedure

1. Download and print the PDF file of Activity 4-4 handouts. Make copies as indicated above.

2. Divide the class into 10 small groups. Give five groups one of the handouts, 4-4a through 4-4e. The other five groups should get a copy of handout 4-4f: Artwork Group Tasks. Note that handout 4-4f includes individual tasks for five groups. Assign each of these five groups a group number and the appropriate artprint. Instruct groups with handouts 4-4a through 4-4e to work only on group tasks #1 and #2 for the class period, and groups with handout 4-4f to work only on #1 and #2 for the class period. Students may share their work with the class when finished.

3. Group task #3 on handouts 4-4a through 4-4e and the individual tasks for groups #1-5 on handout 4-4f require at least one class period for preparation and one class period for presentations. This task can be made optional if there is not enough time.

4. Discuss this activity by asking the following:

Describe the range of emotions that people experienced during and after the incarceration.
What are some common themes that appeared in the artwork and poetry?
How did this activity help you understand or identify better with the author or artist, or those who experienced the incarceration?
How did perspectives differ among the issei, nisei, and sansei?
How did perspectives differ between children and adults?
Do you think that people's perceptions of the incarceration are any different today? If so, in what ways?
Do you think something like the mass removal and incarceration of one ethnic group could possibly happen again? Why or why not?