Video Pick--Japanese Americans in WWII: Going for Broke
From SLJ June 2006
Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO -- School Library Journal, 6/5/2006
video or DVD. color. 25 min. with tchr's. guide. Prod. by Go for Broke Educational Foundation. Dist. by New Dimension Media. 2005. video: ISBN 1-59522-287-1, DVD: ISBN 1-59522-288-X. $49.
Gr 7 Up–This story of the Japanese Americans who served in the armed services during the Second World War opens with a brief overview of the history of the Japanese in America, and then discusses how the attack on Pearl Harbor affected the Japanese populations in Hawaii and on the West Coast. The rest of the production focuses on the struggles of the young American citizens who had to overcome prejudice and official classification as "enemy aliens" in order to serve their country. Once admitted to the services, they were treated as "expendable" units who nonetheless "went for broke" and performed heroically in the most difficult combat missions, yet still faced prejudice in the awarding of medals and honors before the U.S. belatedly apologized for the internments and upgraded the honors the troops received. Narrated by actor George Takei, the film emphasizes both the prejudice and difficulties the Japanese troops faced and their immense loyalty to this country. Former U.S. Senator and Congressional Medal of Honor winner Daniel Inouye provides the introduction and then concludes that only a "great nation" could admit its faults and rectify its mistakes. Visuals include archival footage of the internment camps and Japanese-American troops in training and combat, supplemented by comments from Inouye and other veterans. The DVD can be viewed as a single documentary or in chapters, which will facilitate its classroom use. This title presents an aspect of the Japanese-American story that has not received wide coverage, and it a very good choice for all school libraries.
