History 346: Introduction to Asian American History

Prof. J. Wu

Reading Questions for Gary Y. Okihiro, Storied Lives

1. How did the Americanization promoted by the War Relocation Authority compare with the Americanization promoted by the National Japanese American Student Council? Did racism and antiracism during World War II reflect or challenge prevailing assumptions regarding the desirability of assimilation and cultural retention?

2. What does Okihiro mean by the concept of rendered dependency? Why is this important for understanding the experience of internment and relocation?

3. How did portrayals of Japanese American students during World War II provide the basis for the emergence of the model minority image during the 1950s and 1960s?

4. Who participated in forming the National Japanese American Student Council? Are there any similarities in terms of the religious, educational, or social background of white Americans who supported the project? Okihiro argues that Japanese Americans displayed determination “to chart their own lives.” Discuss examples of how their agency shaped the direction of the NJASC. Are there any similarities in background of Japanese Americans students?

5. What were the strategies used to relocate Japanese American students? Which schools tended to accept the students and why? What were the requirements for admission? How were students instructed to interact? How did student and community relocation impact the midwest?

6. How did students negotiate academic, social, financial, and family responsibilities? What fields did they enter? What types of activities did they participate in? Did men and women face different pressures? Have different opportunities? Perceive their experiences differently? Why or why not?

7. Why does the Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund seek to support the education of Southeast Asian American students?

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