Growing Up Sansei

We're heading back to northern California to tend to some things. It's fortuitous that the beginning of our stay coincides with a reading of Growing Up Sansei, 'Garage Door Opener' at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. The reading stars my sister, Dian, and brother-in-law, Shaun, as the mom and dad. There have been a number of readings all over the state, but this is the first time Wendy will get to see it.

Sansei are 3rd generation Japanese-Americans. This play is the story of two sansei siblings whose nisei (2nd generation ) parents were interned in the Japanese concentration camps. Although most nisei parents have suffered immense scaring from the experience, they never talk about this with their children. After their parents pass away, the siblings go on a journey of discovery about their parents while cleaning out their parents' garage. In the mementos and "junk" kept by their parents, they discover heart-breaking aspects of their parents' lives that they never knew about and gain a better understanding of their dysfunctional family.

One of the things I was surprised to learn about from the play was the stigma associated with answering "No-No" to the loyalty questionnaire withing the Japanese American community. It was a heart-breaking story of many sansei whose parents have passed away and, now, the opportunity to share sympathy, understanding, and love has passed.

Dian and Shaun were funny, inspiring and touching as the parents! Kudos to them! If you ever get the chance to see it, I'd recommend it. 

The reading is preceded by a taiko drum performance

Dian is 2nd from the right and Shaun is on the far right