Yuri Kochiyama

But there were also people who had signed to say, get out, Japs.

The hysteria of war was really high.

We always called the camps relocation centers while we were there.

Now, it feels apropos to call them concentration camps.

Even if you took history in school, I don't think we learn very much of anything.

You're taught what a good country America is, and it does so much good to the world and all that crap.

I believed it wholeheartedly.

And suddenly for the first time, I felt something different.

The first place I worked in New York was Chalakwolo Nuts, a very famous restaurant.

And I got a job as a waitress.

I loved that job.

And it was the first time I'm working with just black people.

Two of the guys,

were from the South.

And so I mentioned to them that I lived a year and a half in Mississippi and that USO, which is service to everybody.

But no Black soldiers came in.

And so they said, what was the address?

I gave the address.

I couldn't forget 228 Dupont.

They said, that's the main drag.