In the spring of 1942, when Japanese Canadians in coastal British Columbia were uprooted from their homes and interned, the Canadian government assured them that their property would be protected for the duration of the war and then released back to them. A year later, however, officials resolved to sell everything they owned, contributing to material losses that would, in today’s currency, amount to at least one billion dollars. This talk analyzes the forced sale of Japanese-Canadian-owned property by examining three individuals: federal politician Ian Mackenzie, bureaucrat Glenn McPherson, and Kishizo Kimura, a Japanese Canadian who participated in the administering the sales. In addition to detailing the origins of the policy, this talk asks: what do we gain by trying to understand the perspectives of the people who perpetrated historical injustice?
What: “Who Forced the Sale of Japanese-Canadian-owned Property during the Second World War?
with UVic historian Dr Jordan Stanger-Ross as part of the Café Historique downtown series
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 pm, talk begins at 7:00 pm
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St., Victoria
More info: 250-472-5484.
What is a Café Historique? A group of interesting people in a convivial café setting, who gather to hear a talk and discuss new ideas about how the past has shaped our present and future, as well as to drink, eat, converse, meet friends, and have an evening to remember.
Café Historique is a pay-what-you-want event and is open to the public. Please look for the donation box at the entrance; if each audience member contributed as little as a twoonie, the series would be able to cover its production costs!
Tickets can be reserved at Eventbrite.ca
or by calling (250) 472-5484: please record your name and the number of tickets (up to four) that you wish to reserve.
Tickets should be reserved to guarantee admission: they are free but must be presented at the door by 6:40 p.m. or they will be released.
Contact:
Peter Cook (Department of History) at 250-472-5484 or cookp@uvic.ca
Photo: Girls skipping rope Powell Street, Vancouver circa. 1939 Photo credit: Nikkei National Museum 2010.23.2.4.236