GENERATIONS OF WAR, PEACE & ACTION: DOCUMENTING STORIES FROM THE COMMUNITY - JAPANESE AMERICAN AND BEYOND

Generations Of War will document stories from the community – Japanese American and beyond – to address issues of war, resistance and pro peace action as well as the legacy and myriad affects war has on our communities.

The first phase of the project will build upon a collaboration between members of the Asian American Vietnam Veterans Organization (AAVVO) and artist/organizer, Traci Kato-Kiriyama.  Through this phase, oral histories will be done with 8 individuals from Los Angeles and San Francisco, along with the website which will be built to feature profiles and excerpts from each of the individual- and group-interviews with Sansei Veterans.  The website will include links and ways to connect with and learn more about related pro-peace work from organizations and artists based in Los Angeles and, eventually, throughout the country.

Future content, following year one, looks to include stories from Sansei women cohorts of the Sansei Vietnam Vets and their role in anti-war activism; the Draft Resisters; pro peace Veterans of other wars/from other communities; etc.

The project aims to build education and connection between communities, in reflection of history and current issues, as we, a larger community, struggle for a future of peace.