OAKLAND — Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages (JAMP) announces the upcoming “Changing Perspectives” conference, a comprehensive two-day event examining the Japanese American incarceration during World War II.

The conference will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22, at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in Oakland.

This conference represents a community-driven initiative to foster ongoing dialogue about this critical period in American history. It was organized in partnership between Chizu Omori and JAMP, and the intent of the conference is to spark and encourage discussions between Japanese Americans.

The conference will feature multiple speakers, many personally selected by Omori, who will address specific topics related to the Japanese American incarceration experience.

“What we need is talk, and so we hope that this conference will provide a place where we can listen to people who have been working for years to reveal the truth and facts, where questions can be raised and issues presented,” Omori states. “We can’t cover everything, but we can be a step in continuing community discussions and result in more understanding about our troubled past. It can point to continuing work on the important issues.”

“Changing Perspectives” aims to create a space for Japanese Americans to gather in community, examining not only the historical context of the incarceration but also its enduring impact and continued relevance in today’s world. The two-day format allows for in-depth exploration of topics and extended dialogue among participants, fostering connections between historical understanding and present-day implications.

For additional information about “Changing Perspectives” and other JAMP programs, visit the organization’s website at www.jampilgrimages.org. Conference sessions will be recorded and released to JAMP’s YouTube channel. Sign up for the JAMP newsletter or subscribe to the channel for release notifications.

JAMP is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II through educational programs, community engagement, and memorial activities.

Chizu Omori, 94, was born in Oxnard to an Issei father and Kibei-Nisei mother and grew up on a farm. Starting when she was only 12 years old, Omori’s family spent three-and-a-half years as inmates in the Poston War Relocation Center in Arizona.

Omori is a critically acclaimed activist, filmmaker, and journalist. Among her many accomplishments, she and her younger sister, Emiko Omori, co-produced an award-winning documentary titled “Rabbit in the Moon” (1999). which provides first-hand accounts and other critical commentary about the incarceration. She appeared in Kerwin Berk’s “Kintsukuroi” (2024), a dramatic feature about the camps.

Omori was a key figure during the redress movement, which eventually led to the passage and enactment of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. More recently, she has actively supported the Black Lives Matter movement and protested the U.S. government’s mistreatment of im/migrants.

(Source for bio: International Examiner)

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