Uproar after American-Japanese book was stuck in Muskego classroom

Books / July 19, 2022 / Admin / 0

MUSKEGO – To Two America’s, where we show you a side of American history that some of you may know and some of you may not.

We talk about what happened in Japanese-American internment camps during World War II. The idea of having Muskego High School students read this book, which delves into this history, was quickly abandoned. Now, leaders in the Muskego-Norway school district face an uproar.

This is after a member of the school curriculum committee pointed out offensive remarks she believes her peers made while reviewing the book at the Coalition of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI ) from Wisconsin.

“What she passed on to us were the comments that it’s too diverse a book, he said it’s too sad. It doesn’t have a balanced point of view,” said Ron Kuramoto, AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin. “Asian American history is American history. It’s part of what weaves the fabric of the country.”

A policeman searches one of the Japanese arrested in a roundup following Japan’s declaration of war on the United States Norfolk, Virginia, December 7, 1941 Police and sailors guard them in the conference room of the police. (AP Photo)

At the center of it all is the novel titled “When the Emperor Was Divine” by Julie Otsuka. It is based on true historical events from the 1940s. 120,000 people of Japanese descent were sent to American internment camps.

WHEN THE EMPEROR WAS DEVINE BOOK COVER.jpg

American WWII Internment Camps 1942 — Beginning the country’s largest forced migration, these Japanese boarded buses in Los Angeles for Owens Valley, 235 miles north of Los Angeles, where the government’s first alien reception center is being built, the March 21, 1942. Nearly 100 Japanese who left on March 21 were skilled laborers who will help prepare camp for thousands to follow. (AP Photo/Dick Strobel)

Muskego-Norway School Superintendent Kelly Thompson sent us a statement, acknowledging that concerns have been raised as to why the book was blocked by a subcommittee and was not presented to the full school board for consideration. She says staff will now “start the process over again to ensure a fair and non-discriminatory process is used to select a book for this class.” However, we were not told when this would happen.

Kuramoto and other Wisconsin AAPI Coalition leaders believe more talks could take place. AAPI leaders held their own meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the story.

“Move[d] getting them out of an area just not for what they did but because of what they looked like but based on race,” said Kuramoto who believes this story should never be forgotten. “It really robs an entire generation of a quality educational experience. “

JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT — This 1942 photo shows the evacuation of American-born Japanese civilians during World War II as they leave their homes to be interned in Los Angeles, California. Sidewalks are heaped with much-needed personal belongings, cars and buses wait to transport evacuees to war relocation camps. (AP Photo)

A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction tells us that there is no statewide policy regarding districts selecting books for any subject. It all depends on the individual school boards.

The Muskego Teach-In takes place Monday at 6:30 p.m.