GARDENA — Dr. Arthur A. Hansen, author of “Manzanar Mosaic: Essays and Oral Histories from America’s First Concentration Camp,” will read passages from and sign copies of his new book on Saturday, May 20, at 2 p.m. in the Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena.
“Dr. Arthur Hansen has been a significant force in the life of the Manzanar Committee, and the Manzanar National Historic Site,” said Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey. “But his contributions extend well beyond the history of Manzanar. His recording and documenting of the unsung heroes of the redress movement, including those who refused to tolerate the forced removal, or those committed to social justice, has a long and distinguished track record. Art’s chronicling the life and contributions of those ‘unquiet Nisei,’ resisters and principled individuals who demanded the wrongs of camp be recognized and made right is well known.
“‘Manzanar Mosaic’ provides us with a powerful collection of first-hand accounts of life behind barbed wire. In this unique collection of oral histories, Dr. Hansen has assembled the stories of individuals who found themselves thrown together in Manzanar by racist government policies. This collection of four of the most consequential figures from Manzanar adds another important chapter to our ongoing discovery of the many intricacies of the forced removal and unjust incarceration of our families.
“Moveover, his continued exploration and reflection on the Manzanar revolt of December 1942 is also of special interest, especially how he reflects on his early work.”
Copies of “Manzanar Mosaic” will be available for purchase at the event.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (323) 662-5102 or email info@manzanarcommittee.org.