Gladys Okino

Gladys shares memories of Posten and the hardships and realities of trying to return to their Sacramento home and community.

Video Timeline

00:00 – Introduction

00:18 – Clip 1
Gladys remembers school days before the evacuation, her school was not segregated. She recounts the story of her parents’ immigration to the United States.

05:51 – Clip 2
Gladys shares the arson of her family’s church. The Japanese adolescents immersed themselves in the American pastime, baseball.

07:29 – Clip 3
She remembers the train ride as being very hot. The hot and dusty conditions were not only outside, but high winds made living conditions inside the barracks unbearable.

09:54 – Clip 4
In the heat, Gladys ventured to another family’s barrack who extended kindness towards her. A member of that family later married her brother.

10:53 – Clip 5
Upon returning to Sacramento, Gladys and family discover they have no home. They live in the neighbor’s house until they return. In the meantime, Gladys’s family builds a crude shack to live in.

12:22 – Clip 6
News of the restriction being lifted prompted the arson of Gladys’s church. Many internees stored their belongings in the basement of the church; thus, losing all of their possessions.

14:08 – Clip 7
Gladys shares her family’s resilience after facing prejudice upon their return home.

16:05 – Clip 8
Due to the Poston Internment Camp, the government brought water to the area. The camp was located on an Indian Reservation which never had water until the camp was constructed.

17:04 – Clip 9
The local Native American tribes remain thankful towards the internees, for the water and enhancing the landscape.

18:05 – Credits

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