From my next book "Something I Need to Say: Uncommon Life Stories"
Hiroshi, born in California, and at age 19 (1942) was incarcerated in an internment camp.
He refused to sign a “loyalty questionnaire” because it was in violation of his
constitutional rights. He was branded a “No-No Boy,” and lost his citizenship for twenty
years. Than in May 2011, Hiroshi, now a famous poet and author was invite to White House
to read one of his works that making people aware of what it means to be an American.
“The evening prior to the White House event, my father did a reading at a bookstore. When
he was finished, the owner, an African American woman named Shirikiana, asked my father,
“First of all, has anyone ever thanked you for the courage it took to be a “No-No Boy”?
My dad hesitated and said, “Not directly.” She then said, “Well, we can take care of that
right now.” Everyone yelled out “THANK YOU!” and started to applaud. She then continued:
“You are my elder. But you are not only my elder, you are one of our nation’s elders. And
if you don’t mind, I would like to do something right now.” She reached behind my dad’s
back and removed an imaginary burden off his shoulders.
The next day, my dad made it to the top of the Lincoln Memorial. And as we stood under the
words of the Emancipation Proclamation and looked out on the National Mall, I could not
help thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his “I Have a Dream” speech. I
remembered those famous words and how they applied to my father at this moment: “Free At
Last, Free At Last!” — HE IS FREE AT LAST.." Soji, Grateful Son
"Before Tomorrow Comes," are Photographic Essays
What ties the inhabitants and animals together, besides their geographic location, is that both are threatened with INEVITABLE change.
I have captured a moment in time before this happens.
I paint with light and color to create images that are a mixture of wildlife, lyricism and portraiture.
