Passing It On by Yuri Kochiyama

Foreword
Preface
Why its called Passing It On

Introduction
Her parents are Issei (first
generation) so she was raised
traditionally Japanese but outside
of her home, she was an all
American gril
Before the war, I was seeing
America with American eyes.
What happened to Japanese
Americans after Pearl Harbor
made me see the world and
America with entirely new eyes
Japanese American eyes (xxiii).
No Nisei (second-generation
Japanese Americans born in the
U.S) children of Issei ever went to
the hospital. I doubt if Asians
would have been accepted in a
white American hospital. We just
accepted such reality without
thinking that it was because of
racist institutionalized policies
(4).
The ensuing mass hysteria and
fear, and our eventual
incarceration, shattered the
American dream of Japanese
Americans forever (4)

In each instance there were

senseless degradation, brutality,
and hatred wrought by fear and

She wrote with a purpose to pass

on her memories to her family and
to teach her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren her
values/morals and advice

She says this marked her political

awakening , probably because of
what happened to the J-A during
WWII and the internment camps.
It mustve made her take off her
rose-colored sunglasses and she
saw how society was unequal.

She is stating the significance of

the bombing of Pearl Harbor to all
Japanese Americans.
Specifically, her father was
arrested by the FBI and
considered a POW. They
interrogated him and only
released him later because of his
terminal health.
The FBI had been watching pop for
years prior to WWII and they had
suspicions without any warrant.

ignorance caused by racism. So I

remain passionately committed to
doing whatever I can and saying
whatever I must to eliminate
racist assumptions and ideas (5).

Chapter 2
Growing Up Fast: Childhood, War,
and Camp
We called ourselves Japanese
Americans, differenteiated from
our parents who are ISsei,
because American immigration
laws forbade Issei from becoming
naturalized American citizens (9).
February 19, 1942- Executive
Order 9066 = removal of all
Japanese Americans and anyone
with more than 1/6 japanese blood
120k, 70% were American born
While waiting to be relocated to
the internment camps, I wanted to
do something to help the war
effort and our boys in the service
especially when I found out that
several of my students had
brothers in the military. I thought
it would be a good idea to write
them. The group called itself the
Crusaders (13).
Ching helped to prevent the
detention Japanese in Hawaii or
have them released. He also
succeeded in convincing Army
intelligence not to fill its daily
quota of arrests on the Islands. He
really went to bat for Japanese
Americans on thipse Mainland as
well as those in Hawaii (16).

Then they detained him and made

his health degrade until he passed
away at the age of 56. Kochiyama
blames the U.S government for
her fathers treatment and death.
She connects it to the ways
African Americans were treated in
the south and the way Japanese
Americans were segregated into
internment camps. This motivated
her to become politically active
and make a change.

The Nissei are Aemricans because

theyre born in U.S but the laws
didnt allow Issei to become
citizens, even after living in the
U.S.

Even while their lives were in

limbo and they were being
mistreated by the U.S government
and society, Kochiyama wanted to
do something to make a
difference. Their group wrote
letters to solderies overseas. This
shows how Japanese Americans
were loyal to the U.S and served
for them, yet civilians at home
were being treated like that.
Hung Wai Ching is a Chinese
American from Honolulu. He heled
start the Aloha USO and was
appointed to a iason group of
civilians and military. He probably
inspired her to make a change too.
Even though hes not Japanese, he
still fought for them.

Mr. Finch was a Mississippi

rancher and businessman who
became an outcast by white
americans because he went out of
his way to help the Nisei soldeiers
who were stationed in Hattiesburg
during World War II (17).

Earl Finch embraced Japanese

Americans while the rest of the
country was turning their backs on
them. He didnt care that other
white people judged him and
called him Jap-lover. He
befriended many Japanese
soldiers and helped him. He is an
inspiration to Yuri and she named
her son after him, too.
Before the war, I periodically
There was discrimination against
used the name Mary Wong in
Japanese Americans even before
order to get jobs (19).
WWII and she had to use a
Chinese last name in order to get
hired.
My bosses were afraid of losing
Post WWII, J-A still faced hostility
business or seeing violence, so
and discrimination when they
they would let me go. Because the returned home, despite showing
war was just over and people
that they were patriotic and not
regarded us as Japanese and not
spies or anything like that. People
Americans, we were still treated
didnt care and still judged them.
as enemies (19).
It was difficicult for her to make a
living and she even had to resort
to San Pedros skid row but she
still couldnt even keep a job. Its
not tthat she was bad at her job or
incapable, it was because she was
Japanese. People didnt view them
as American anymore. They were
part of the traitorous japan, even
though many of them were born in
America.
As Nisei we were as a whole
Racism caused Nisei to kind of
inhibited, shy, and not overtly
become invisible and hide their
proud of our heritage and
heritage/ethnicity because it
nationality before the war. Much of wasnt the dominant culture in
it was curtailed by racism, but we
society. They felt the need to
did not understand our behavior
subdue their traditions/cultures
at that time. We bent over
backwards, wanting so much to be
accepted by white America that
we denied our Asian ethnicity
especially our Japanese ethnicity
(20).
3
A Tribute to My Bill

But all Nisei, whether in the

mainland or Hawaii, were aware
that the future of the Nikkei would
be paid by the heavy sacrifice of
our Nisei in World War II (32)

These are the young men who

would have gladly fought for the
U.S but they felt that something
as remiss when their country
incarcerated their families in
prison camps and yet could ask
their young men to fight for the
U.S wherever ordered. The No-No
boys became ostracized by the
Japanese American majority who
felt they were being anti-American
at a very serious time (32).

The Japanese Americans in WWII

sacrificed a lot of casualties but
they had to push through to
provide better lives for the next
generation. They wanted to prove
that Japanese Americans werent
traitors and they were loyal to the
U.S. if they could succeed, maybe
society would treat them and the
next generations much better
instead of with suspicion, hostility,
and discrimination.
The No-No boys are the Nisei who
didnt fight for the U.S because of
the Japanese American intermnet.
They found it contradictory that
the U.S could lock up their people
and then expect them to fight for
the country at the same time.
They were fighing against the
denial of civil rights of Japanese
parents. The majority of Japanese
Americans wanted their people to
fight for the U.S to demonstrate
their loyalty and patriotism,
despite being incarcerated.
Yuri actually likes them because
they were protesting the
internment and standing on
constitutional grounds of the
state. She and Bill felt that it takes
more courage to fight like this at
home than at war overseas.

4
After the War: Marriage,
Parenthood, and New York
How glad I was to have had the
opportunity to work at Chockies
and have my first experience
working with Black people. I
enjoyed it a great deal, and I
learned so much about the South
and the racism there since many
of my coworkers were from the
South (40).

She encountered her first black

people in NYC while working at
Chockies. Some of her co-workers
toldh her that no black soldiers,
even in uniform, could walk major
streets in southern towns. They
were fighting for America yet
people still looked down on them
and degraded them like that.

It was after my meeting Daisy

Bates that I began to take a
serious interest in the civil rights
movementThis set the stage for
what would become a significant
time period for the Kochiyama
family (45).
5
Raising Six Children in the Sizzling
Sixties
Harlem was a university without
walls (65).

6
Malcolm X and Kochiyamas
He also transformed from being a
petty criminal when racism closed
options in his life to a political
leader who opened doors not only
for himself but also for all people
(71).

7
Tragedy and Blessing: Billy, Aichi,
and Alkamal
He took us to a world we would
not have knownthe world of
pain, but also the worled where

Daisy Bates is the president of the

NAACP chapter in Littloe Rock
where Little Rock Nine occurred to
desegregate schools in 1958.

They had public housing (?) by the

government in the inner city in
Harlem with other minority groups
but that didnt stop them from
continuing to be politically active
and it didnt stop their children
either. Even though her three
youngest children did say they
wish she spent more time with
them instead of the movement,
they grew up to be politically
conscious and active, too. Her
children were raised in the civil
rights movement and were
exposed to all groups of people,
music, literature, etc.
Kochiyama looks up to Malcolm X
and views him as very
inspirational. To her, he had the
courage to challenge the status
quo and authoritive figures. He
fought against oppression,
tyranny, disenfranchisement,
exploitation, enslavement, race
humiliation, etc. they both have
very similar perspectives and
qualities in their struggles for
humanity.

Billy had his leg amputated to his

thigh because of a car accident
and had numerous surgeries. He

young and old, of all backgrounds,

mostly unseen, deal with their
patiruclar suffering. The hospital
was a world of its own, a place
where humankind fights for
dignity and life (83).
Aichi was raised in a family in
which she was taught early on to
help those less fortunate than her.
the struggle to achieve basic
human rights, no matter what
color, what nationality what sex,
was always fundamental to her
(88).
Alkamal, Aichis husband of 14
years, passed away just 4 months
after her death because he had
sickle cell disease
8
Friends Who Became Family
Throughout the years, her family
let thousands of people stay with
them in their home
Our extended family taught us
much about cooperation and
sharing. If anything happened to
any member of our family, they
sresponded as if it happened to
one of their own (105).
9
Christmas CheerFamily
Newsletter, 1949-1968
This is their family Christmas
newsletter that the family
members would write and put
together.
Corny as our stories were,
Christmas Cheer was our way of
communicating family news as
well as news of friends under
some very clever captions that Bill
would concoct (109).
The 1960s was a period where
politics needed an airing. Our

struggled to live with the disability

and as a burden to those he loved
so he ultimately decided to end
his life by jumping off a bridge.
This shows how Yuri is very
understanding and empathic to
other peoples pain and sufferings.
Aichi was raised to be politically
conscious and as an activist, too.
She died after being struck by a
cab on the sidewalk while waiting
for the light to change.

They have become family with all

the people they have housed and
all the people in their community
and elsewhere.

Over the years, their newsletter

became political, discussing the

family newsletters gave us an

opportunity to voice our feelings
and air our opinionsa place
where we could be honest and di
not have to hold backnot
necessarily because it was our
paper, but because we felt some
things needed to be said (115).

10
North StarFamily Movement
Newsletter, 1965 to 1969
So we began a newsletter to
honor Malcolms name, calling it
the North Star, for what was
exactly what Malcolm meant to
the people in the struggle: the star
that would always be shining as
the guiding light (117).

Bill Epton stands tall and solid, a

bulwark, not only for Black people
but oppressed people
everywhere (121).

The idea of a Black Nation on

this continent to this day looms as
a threat to whites and others, but
is considered a hope, dream, and
challenge to many Blacks (124).
11
Supporting Political Prisoners:
Mtayari Shabaka Sundiata, Mumia
Abu Jamal, and Marilyn Buck
When we think of the statistics
which impact people of color, we
cannot help but surmise that
racism, classism, and politics

black plight for righs, criticizing

American foreign policy, opposing
war, racism, imperialism. People,
including friends, started to
criticize and denunciate the family
for their views/opinions but that
didnt stop them from continuing
to write the editorials. Their
political involvement in human
rights issues caused them to lose
longtime friendships. Some said
they were un-American.

The family started this to honor

and revere Malcolm X. their paper
introduced black power and SNCC
to readers.
In fact, many Black organizations
adopted Malcolms thinking about
being free, being Black and proud
of ones African ancestry, and
learning about Africas history and
its wars with colonizers (120).
He was sentenced for being a
communist because he wasnt
afraid to openly challenge and
denounce the governments and
political concepts for imperialism,
exploiting/degrading the weak,
greed, corruption, etc.
Nationalism and separationist
movements
Ex. Huey Newton

Minority groups are treated

unfairly by the American justice
system. Yuris definition of political
prisoners are: African American,

weigh heavility in the criminal

justice system: in jury selection,
poor defense, prosecutorial
misconduct, police intimidation of
witnesses, and withholding
evidence (127)

Mtayari Shabaka Sundiata

Mumia Abu Jamal

Puerto Rican, Cuban, Chicano,

Native American, Asian American,
white anti-imperialists, Kanaka
maoles, Arabs, Muslims, and
South Asian.
It is important to notice that she
listed all these races that arent
white or of European descent to
show how the rest of society and
the government (because racism
is instituationalize) treats them.
Also, it is more common for people
of color to participate in
movements and become activists
since they are the ones facing
humiliation, prejudice, injustice in
society. She says political
prisoners raised consciousness
and made sacrifices for the
movement.
Official in Republic of New Africa
(RNA)
He was beaten, tortured,
and impirosoned
Revolutionary black
nationalism, but he was an
internationalist
He viewed American society
as the battleground of the
peoples war against
oppression
Journalist who exposed
police violence against
minority communities
Advocates for political
prisoners like himself
Had a judge known for being
racist, weak defense
lwawyer, not enough money
allocated for witness
investigation (for the case
where a cop was beating
and killed his brother and
beat him too)

Marilyn Buck

All political prisoners are given

long sentences because they
consciously struggle against
colonialism and U.S government
imperialist policies. Such acts are
forbidden in the U.S and other
imperialist countries (136).
12
Asian and Asian American Political
Prisoners: Steve Yip, Yu Kikumura,
David Wong, and Eddy Zheng
Steve Yip

White anti-imperialist
Helped black militant
organization; involved in
Black liberation struggle
Fought racism, poverty,
social injustices
Has been charged with
conspiracies, aiding and
abetting prison escape,
speaking out and acting
against U.S govt and
military violence
This is her political commentary
on the U.S government and how
they treat those who challenge
their authority and
position/ideology. She views
imperialism as arrogance and
abuse. Buck was sentenced 80
years in prison because of this.

Yu Kikumura

Member of Revolutionary
Communist Party
4/30/80 went to Nations
Security Council and
splashed two diplomats (one
U.S and one Soviet) with red
paint was a bold statement
and publicly revealed
intentions of both U.S and
Soviet Union
his letter is reflective on how
many AA wanted to change
the world
Japanese national, not AA
Anti-imperialist peace
activist
Government linked him to
Libya based on hearsay
(labeled as terrorist)

David Wong

Eddy Zheng

13
The Trip to Cuba: The 19th
Venceremos Brigade, 1988
Venceremos Brigade

Cuba is truly a nation whose

primary concern is the basic
needs of her 10 million people
beginning with the neediest. How
different, we thought, from the

She includes info to contact

his support committee and
committees for political
prisoners = her
autobiography has plugs to
motivate readers to make a
difference too
Chinese national
He was imprisoned for theft
and in prison, an inmate was
stabbed to death and a
tower guard 100 yards away
pointed Wong out of 700
inmates as the attacker,
even though he didnt have
blood on him and no
weapon was found
Other inmates, black and
Latino, offered to testify at
his trial but they werent
called to do so
State didnt provide
translator
Wong was convicted for 2nd
degree murder
Chinese prisoner since 16
y/o
Fought for AAS at San
Quentin penitentiary

Left wing solidarity

organization
Developed brigades to give
grassroots organizers and
activists opportunity to go to
Cuba and work with people
there
The U.S government wants the
public and citizens to believe that
Cuba is a terrible country, hence
the embargo. But the brigadas
found that Cubans are so kind and

U.S., where construction is geared

toward building condominiums,
luxury hotels, fashionable
suburban homes, and high-rise
offices for coprorations, while tens
of thousands of americans are
homeless, jobless, and on the
streets begging (152).
Cuban leaders have brought up
the issue of racism giving
historical background from the
Spanish conquest, the annhiliation
of indigenous, and the
colonization of a mixed-race
people. They admitted that
vestiges of racism still exist, but
they feel that institutional racism
is being wiped out (154).
14
Peoples War in Peru: What is its
Signficance Today?

even their policies are better than

that of the U.S. American policies
favore the elite and wealthy, and
arent very socialist or beneficial
to the lower class. America likes to
talk shit on socialist countries but
she found that Castros plans were
great regarding housing, medical
care, education, importance of the
elderly, etc.
She is arguing that Cuba isnt how
the U.S government portrays it as.
Even though it is socialist, the
people there are actually better
taken care of and not overlooked.
There is some racism, but it isnt
as bad as America. Cuba even
outlawed racism after the
revolution.

1980s war in Peru between the

government and
indigenous/peasantry

To most Americans, this war is

insignificant, as they are unaware
of the role of American policy
behind this conflict. They know
nothing of the suffering of the

Haves v. have nots

Poverty, margninalization of
the poor and indigenous,
different world and standard
of life for the rich and poor,
brutality of oppressors
Peruvian government hasnt
provided for basic needs of
its people starvation,
death by disease, no water
and electricity in some
areas, shantytowns, 200k
children work on streets
To yuri, its a civil war between the
poorest and most marginalized
aagainst the rich and powerful.

pople on the lower strata of

Peruvian life (157).
The peoples enemies are also
the reactionary media whose lies
and disinformation have been
used to portray the revolutionaries
as sinister, terrorist force who
perpetrate violence on the pople,
including the peasantry (160).

15
Three Icons in the Movement:
Lolita Lebron, Assata Shakur, and
Leonard Peltier
Lolita Lebron

The people are fighting for

survival and their childrens
futures by going against the
Peruvian government, the U.S
government, NIS, and others
which are all under the umbrella
of U.S imperialism. American
imperialism has contributed to
Perus government and policies,
which have led to these conditions
that people are revolting against.
The media portrayed
revolutionaries negatively so
people are silent.

Assata Shakur

Leonard Peltier

Puerto Rican nationalist;

significant in struggle for
independence for PR
Went to congress with
others and fired guns to
signify their protest at how
U.S was making PR submit
to colonial authority
Leader in BPP; targeted by
govt as a dangerous
political dissident
Against political repression,
racism, violence that
dominated U.S
governments policy toward
people of color
Native American leader,
indigenous rights activist
who didnt want U.S
government to take away
native land
Brotest injustices against
tribes and violation of many
treates
Exposed abuse and

repression against his

people
16
The Asian American Movement
Young people began making
history by challenging the status
quo and duality, hypocrisy, and
inequalities in American society
(167).
Young Asian Americas response
to the social/political upheavals
that rocked the country was like
cracking the barriers and breaking
down previously accepted
stereotypes: the quiet, the
obedient, inhibited, studious,
mind-your-own-business, justbecome-successful-Asian (167)
Greatly influenced and inspired
by the civil rights movement and
its many student-led protests,
demonstrations and rallies, young
Asian Americans suddenly grew
up, felt proud, stood tall (168).

There was a change in the 70s

when more AA began to become
part of a movement against the
U.S involvement in the VN war.
There were lots of AA groups

They began to take action and

organize instead of remaining
quiet. They began to focus on the
world of the oppressed, exploited,
and marginalized. They all gained
new perspectives and had political
awakenings. They confronted hate
crimes aginst AA, worker problems

17
New Additions to the Family: The
K-Bears
Each bear signifies a family
member and other famiy, friends,
visitors started sending them
bears in all shapes and sizes from
different places. The bears arent
toysthey represent all the
people in her life who hold a
loving place in her heart. The
bears also signify people because
they come in different colors,
shapes, sizes, backgrounds.
Epilogue
Political prisoners are heartbear of
the struggle