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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260526T110000
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DTSTAMP:20260711T143520
CREATED:20260508T212459Z
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UID:20274-1779793200-1779796800@sancarloslife.com
SUMMARY:Behind Barbed Wire: The Story of Japanese Incarceration - Courage\, Resilience\, and the Japanese American Journey
DESCRIPTION:Behind Barbed Wire: The Story of Japanese Incarceration\nHistory is often remembered through dates\, documents\, and photographs\, but the most powerful lessons usually come from personal stories. On Tuesday\, May 26\, 2026\, from 11:00AM – 12:00PM in San Carlos\, community members will have the opportunity to hear one of those important stories during Behind Barbed Wire: The Story of Japanese Incarceration. Hosted by the San Mateo County Libraries\, this meaningful discussion and Q&A session will feature longtime civil rights advocate Steve Okamoto as he shares his family’s experience inside the Tanforan Assembly Center in San Bruno. \nThe event serves as both a historical reflection and a reminder of how fear and prejudice can shape government policies during times of national crisis. Through firsthand family memories and decades of advocacy\, Steve Okamoto brings attention to one of the darkest chapters in American history: the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. \nThe Tanforan Assembly Center was one of 17 temporary detention centers established after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 into law in February 1942. The order authorized the forced removal of Japanese Americans from their homes along the West Coast. Although many of those affected were United States citizens\, they were treated as potential threats simply because of their ancestry. \nFamilies were given little time to prepare before being uprooted from their homes\, businesses\, schools\, and communities. They were forced to leave behind possessions\, careers\, and livelihoods as they were relocated to detention centers surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. For many\, the emotional and financial damage lasted for generations. \nAt the center of this event is the story of Steve Okamoto’s family. Steve was only 11 weeks old when his family was sent to the Tanforan Assembly Center\, but the memories passed down through his relatives remained vivid throughout his life. One of the most painful details involved the living conditions inside the facility. When temporary barracks filled up\, many families were assigned to converted horse stalls. These makeshift living quarters had dirt floors and hay bedding\, and the smell of horse urine and manure lingered constantly. \nSteve often recalls how his mother never forgot that smell. It became a symbol of humiliation and injustice that stayed with her long after the war ended. Stories like these help humanize a historical event that can otherwise feel distant or abstract to younger generations. \nThe Tanforan Assembly Center itself carries a complicated history. Originally a racetrack in San Bruno\, it was transformed into a temporary incarceration camp where approximately 8\,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were imprisoned in 1942 before being transferred to more permanent camps. Families lived under constant uncertainty\, stripped of their freedoms despite never being charged with crimes. \nToday\, the site stands as a reminder of the consequences of racism\, fear\, and discrimination. Steve Okamoto has dedicated years to ensuring that these stories are not forgotten. He played a leading role in creating the Tanforan Memorial in San Bruno\, which honors the thousands of individuals who suffered unjust imprisonment during the war. \nBeyond his work on the memorial\, Steve is also a longtime member of the Japanese American Citizens League\, commonly known as JACL. Founded in 1929\, the organization is recognized as the country’s oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization. Throughout his years of service\, Steve has worked tirelessly to educate communities\, preserve historical memory\, and advocate for civil liberties. \nHis efforts were recently recognized with the Ruby Pin\, the highest award presented by the JACL for meritorious service. The honor reflects not only his dedication to preserving Japanese American history but also his commitment to promoting justice and equality for future generations. \nEvents like Behind Barbed Wire: The Story of Japanese Incarceration are especially important in today’s world. They encourage audiences to think critically about civil rights\, government power\, and the dangers of prejudice. They also remind communities that history should never be ignored or forgotten simply because it is uncomfortable. \nFor younger audiences\, hearing directly from someone connected to these experiences can create a much deeper understanding than reading a textbook alone. The event offers attendees the chance to ask questions\, engage in thoughtful discussion\, and better understand how historical injustices continue to shape conversations about identity\, citizenship\, and human rights. \nThe hope behind the Tanforan Memorial and programs like this is clear: to prevent fear and racism from driving public policy ever again. Japanese Americans spent years rebuilding their lives after the war\, recovering from enormous social and economic losses caused by a policy now widely recognized as unjust. Their resilience remains an important part of American history. \nAs communities continue to confront issues involving discrimination and civil liberties\, stories like Steve Okamoto’s provide both a warning and an inspiration. They remind us that protecting human rights requires constant vigilance\, compassion\, and education. \nThose interested in history\, civil rights\, or community storytelling will find this discussion both educational and deeply moving. Behind Barbed Wire: The Story of Japanese Incarceration offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a passionate advocate whose life’s work has been dedicated to ensuring that the experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II are never forgotten. \n  \n  \n\n  \nSee other interesting events in San Carlos. You may also check the main calendar for the dates of these\, or to save them on your personal calendar. \n\n\nDon't miss out!Subscribe To San Carlos LifeAdd your email here to subscribe to all things San Carlos Invalid email address Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.Thanks for subscribing!\n\nAbout San Carlos\nWhat’s Great about San Carlos? \n \nAbout Mark and Viv\nMark Martinho and Viv Kelvin are the owners of Vabrato Real Estate
URL:https://sancarloslife.com/event/behind-barbed-wire-japanese-incarceration/
LOCATION:Biblio Commons\, 610 Elm Street\, San Carlos CA 94070\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Activities,Biblio Commons,Main Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sancarloslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Barbed-Wire12.jpg
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