Japanese American Vietnam Era Archives JAVEA

 Long name.  Short explanation, the Interview of Sansei (third generation JA) Veterans of the Vietnam Era.  The Vietnam Era is considered 1960 to early 1970s.  Veterans are defined as anyone that served in the armed forces during that time period.  Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Reserves, National Guard, Coast Guard, etc.  Assignment is not a factor, In country (Vietnam) stateside, other countries.

Interviews are conducted according to the Library of Congress Veteran History Project.  We record and document according to their guidelines and submit raw footage to the VHP.  They will edit and post on their website.  

The questions we ask are slightly modified to reflect the JA community.  Some were born in camp, most out of the incarceration resettlement.  We try to cover the community they grew up in, military experience and their repatriation into civilian society.  Benefits (life lessons, VA assistance, etc.), reflections.

It is our attempt to recognize a forgotten or ignored portion of our JA community. The two of us (Don Bannai and myself) are not veterans.  I missed the draft lottery by two months.  But during Vietnam whether you were drafted or fortunate to not be, you were affected. I may have followed the lottery knowing that I was not affected, but they lived it.  

The unexpected benefits of these interviews, is that it has given us a wide perspective of the war.  Some fought in Korea, some stayed stateside, some overseas in Europe, some before the escalation of the conflict.  Some in the thick of it. Each veteran has his unique story and we are trying to preserve those stories.  Already, too many have passed.  And many still struggle with the VA, PTSD and agent Orange.

The interviews are in 20 minute segments, and if at any time they don't feel comfortable with a question, we move on.  Many have said, they have not told these stories to their family, or talked with other veterans.  We hope it helps them move on and provide a history for their grandchildren.

God of Film Making

 I have written about a recent takeover of our old church.  I have volunteered to document the churches congregations reaction to the recent events.  To be honest, it is difficult to keep my emotions suppressed, but in order to help those displaced, I need to maintain neutrality.  In order to tell the story, it has to unfold on it's own and not prompted or directed.  

This I my own philosophy when interviewing people.  Whether it is the Sansei Veterans or displaced church members, the neutrality and inquisitiveness seems to be my most valued trait.  People must trust that they will not be manipulated. 

But with that philosophy, comes an internal burden.  It becomes emotionally draining.  If I do two or three interviews a day, I come home exhausted, both physically and emotionally and requires at least a day of down time. 

Neutrality also comes into play when editing the footage.  Does it reflect their mood and did it alter their views, does it accurately reflect the context of the whole interview.  That is the ultimate burden of trust.  Lets hope that it is maintained.  That is not to say the end product will be liked by all, but you let the chips fall where land without disturbing them.

Editors can be the God of filmaking.  We can manipulate, create, to our pleasure.  The goal for me is to minimize my editorial bias.  Wish me luck.

Fear of Success

Recently my picture, or I should say a photo from my latest film has been chosen as the representative of the Digital Histories Senior video class set of films for this year's LA Asian Pacific Film Festival.  My film is on my observations of aging and has a picture of me examining myself in my bathroom mirror. For anyone looking up the program, they will see that picture.  Autographs in the lobby after the showing.  I pay you.

https://festival.vcmedia.org/2023/programs/digital-histories-2023/

After  six years of film making, my latest film has been chosen at a few film festivals.  Nichibei in the Bay Area, Disorient in Eugene, Or, and at the Gardena JCI.  Now you would think this is a validation of my film creativity and work, but it is more a matter of timing and luck.

Most film festivals have a theme and my film last year on a Santa Clara Judge and his flag signing project honoring WWII Japanese American Incarcerees happen to fit in.  I can honestly say it is more of the subject vs the film itself.  It is usually shown in a shorts program with other short films.  They are wonderful films, created by talented film makers.  After viewing them my wife looks at me and says "you need to up your game" and I agree.

There is always a fear, of not of failure, but of the fall from success.  There is always the fear of when walking assuredly, of tripping. Let's hope the perspective keeps me grounded.  

Influences

When friends start talking about major influences in their lives, I tend to drift off into the background.  Mine are not usually the norm.  People have shared famous presidents, major philosophers, biblical authors, etc.  These are mine.

Mad Magazine.  Memories of M&S pharmacy on Centinela, back in the corner of the store where the comic books were displayed.  Plus mom would put one in my Christmas stocking every year.

Paul Conrad, political cartoonist for the LA Times.  I loved his drawing style and wit.  A lot of my cynical view of politics were formed by his cartoons.

Get Smart, Buck Henry and Mel Brooks, TV show of the late sixties.  Absurdity can be hilarious. I Want to build my own cone of silence.

Smothers Brothers Comedy hour,  While friends religiously watched Laugh In, I was glued to Sunday nights at 9pm.  Not only did I love the satire, but also the music, not so much the bickering between the two brothers.  I always was fascinated by the photo montage backed by Mason Williams' Classical Gas.

Gary Trudeau, Doonesbury,  I don't agree with his politics, but love his satire.  He reflects the times we live in.

Gary Larson, the Far Side,  Self explanatory.  Must be all that rain in Seattle.

Modern Christian Terminology

 A hostile takeover in the name of God.

A hostile takeover is a type of acquisition where a company (the acquirer) takes control of another company (the target company) without the approval or consent of the target company's board of directors. In other words, the target company's management is not in favor of the takeover, hence the term "hostile".

Cornell University 

hostile takeover | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

This is a new one on me.  There are at times the secular business world intersects with the religious.  Recently my former church, Anaheim Free Methodist was taken over by the Pacific Coast Japanese Free Methodist conference and given over to another church.  This was without warning or consent of the AFM board.  Notice was given on a Sunday and taken affect on that same day.  Staff was relieved of their duties, finances taken over and new pastor assigned.  It is now the North Campus of the Voice Church.  https://www.voice.church/secondlocation

Needless to say, the former congregation is not happy.  The question is, if it is labeled the will of God by the denomination leadership, is it?