In developing
Exclusion, the Presidio Trust staff worked with collaborators from the Fred T. Korematsu Institute and the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), both tenants at the Presidio. The Korematsu Institute and NJAHS provided input from concept development through script review, contributed objects and images to the exhibition, and are collaborating on public programming at the Presidio Officers' Club's Moraga Hall and school program development throughout the duration of the exhibition.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL JAPANESE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The National Japanese American Historical Society, Inc. (NJAHS), is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, incorporated in 1981, and dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience for the diverse broader national and global community. NJAHS strives to be a catalyst for change through cross-cultural awareness by learning from the past and influencing the future. NJAHS's headquarters is based in San Francisco with its core programs conducted at two sites: one at the NJAHS Peace Gallery & Archives at 1684 Post Street at a convenient storefront location along San Francisco Japantown's commercial corridor, and the other at the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center, Building 640, 640 Old Mason Street, Crissy Field, Presidio of San Francisco within the National Park Service's Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
https://www.njahs.org
ABOUT THE FRED T. KOREMATSU INSTITUTE
The Korematsu Institute (KI) promotes the importance of remembering one of the most blatant forms of racial profiling in U.S. history, the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, by bridging the Fred Korematsu story with various topics in history, including other civil rights heroes and movements, World War II, the Constitution, global human rights, and Asian American history. The Institute makes connections to present-day civil rights discrimination and political scapegoating, such as mass incarceration, anti-immigrant sentiment, and Islamaphobia. They work toward building solidarity and partnerships with other groups and organizations to accomplish their mission. In 2009, the Fred T. Korematsu Institute was founded to honor Fred Korematsu's legacy. It was originally a local community and education program whose vision changed in 2010 as a result of Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution being established in California on January 30 in perpetuity. They've since become a national organization that inspires others through the Fred Korematsu story.
http://www.korematsuinstitute.org
Past Collaborator Programs
National Japanese American Historial Society
February 1 - June 30:
Children of the Camps — Exhibit Series
In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 granting the US military full authority to designate military zones from which to exclude all persons. While the order never mentioned "Japanese" or Japanese Americans," it paved the way for the mass removal, detention, and eventually incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry from west coast states. At the time, two-thirds of them were American-born citizens, who average age was 19. In addition, some 11,000 Germans (including German Jews) and some 3,000 Italians were also interned on a case-by-case basis. Subsequently, as series of proclamations emanated from the Presidio of San Francisco, including the infamous Instructions of All Persons of Japanese Ancestry. The exhibits also include the rendition of Japanese Latin Americans to Dept. of Justice Internment camps and the wartime removal of the Aleutian native people in Alaska. NJAHS presents these National Archive photographic images by Dorothea Lange, Clem Albers, and others taken during this dark chapter in American history. Come investigate what happened and why.
For the 75th anniversary of E.0.9066, at two historic points of departure: SF Japantown NJAHS Peace Gallery: M-F, Noon to 5 pm & First Saturdays of the month. Free Admission. 1684 Post Street, SF Japantown, CA 94115; and at Presidio of SF, Building 640. MIS Historic Learning Center. 640 Old Mason St. Crissy Field, San Francisco CA 94129.
April 1:
Children of the Camps - Authors' Corner
Award-winning author Stan Yogi, who co-wrote "Fred Korematsu Speaks Up”, discusses Supreme Court challenger Fred Korematsu's quest for justice in his latest book for school-age children. (Heyday Books, 2017) with Special Guest Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred Korematsu. New writer, George Omi authored "American Yellow," won 1st Place for his book in a contest for self-published e-books in 2016 by Writers Digest. He shares his personal story as a young boy in Rohwer concentration camp. (First Edition Design Publishing, 2016)
April 7:
Friends of the Madden Library - Talk with Karen Korematsu
Karen Korematsu is the daughter of Fred Korematsu, who was a key figure in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066.
June 5 - June 30:
NJAHS Discovery Summer Camp
Discover Japanese American culture through a fun-filled, active & creative camp experience. Weekly themed activities focus on an West meets East cultural arts introduction. Mindful meditation and nature walks throughout the Presidio.
July 10 - July 21:
Teen Writers' Camp
A high school summer writing course in the Presidio of San Francisco. Step inside historic Building 640 and uncover the mysteries within this former top-secret language school. Against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, explore this National Park and its inspiring stories. Discover your own creative voice in this timeless place. Available to students entering 9th – 12th grades.
Fred T. Korematsu Institute
April 7: Friends of the Madden Library - Talk with Karen Korematsu
Karen Korematsu is the daughter of Fred Korematsu, who was a key figure in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066.
April 9:
Jewish-Muslim Potluck Brunch with Karen Korematsu
Temple Sinai's Social Action Committee and Pacifica Institute/East Bay are sponsoring a Potluck Community Brunch on Sunday, April 9th to explore how Fred T. Korematsu's legacy can help inspire Jews and Muslims in working together to keep America from repeating a shameful chapter of its history. Members of Temple Sinai, and the Pacifica Institute and other interested Jews and Muslims will meet in small groups to discuss lessons learned from the Japanese American internment in 1942 and to plan joint actions to help avoid the mistakes of the past. Our special guest will be Karen Korematsu, daughter of legendary civil rights champion Fred Korematsu and Founder/Executive Director of the Fred T. Korematsu Institute.
April 27:
Presidio Dialogues - Letters from the Camps: Voices of Dissent
Using original letters from the internment camps of WWII, now preserved at California Historical Society, this interdisciplinary presentation focuses on Japanese Americans who spoke out during and after internment. Contemporary descendants, writers, and performers will read from the letters and share their responses. In association with the California Historical Society and in partnership with the Friends of Topaz. Presented in conjunction with the new exhibition Exclusion: The Presidio's Role in WWII Japanese American Incarceration.
July 13:
"Fred Korematsu Speaks Up": Presentation/Book Signing Author Stan Yogi
Please join us for a presentation and book signing with author Stan Yogi. His new release, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up tells the story of Fred Korematsu, a Nisei, second generation Japanese American, who refused the American government’s order for all people of Japanese ancestry to surrender their homes and way of life to move to the internment camps at the beginning of the World War II. Fred refused this order and was sent to prison. This event formed the person he would become as a fighter for civil liberties in the United States. Fred Korematsu Speaks Up encourages readers of all ages to speak up for justice, just as Fred did.
August 11 - 14:
Curriculum Writing Institute
Help us connect the past to the present by using the diverse stories of Japanese American incarceration experiences in World War II to today's political acts of aggression. In Partnership with UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project.
