I went to the Japanese American Memorial. I was really interested in learning about Japanese Americans, so I was glad that I got to go there. I learned and felt many things. I thought learning about the Japanese Americans are essential point because I am Japanese and I have been in America. Visiting the Japanese American Memorial was an unforgettable experience. First, I found a poem which I felt strong emotions about. The poem reads,
“Going home,
feeling cheated. Gripping my daughter’s hand. I tell her we’re leaving. Without
emotion.” When I read this poem, I imaged the situation and then I almost
cried. The author couldn’t feel anything because of leaving house. I have never
experienced such a depressing moment. However, I think “without emotion” is the
saddest feeling more than feeling something such as sad or dejected. I also
imagined leaving my own house and going to camp would be hard things to do. I
felt pain in my heart. Second, on the stone, it shows a scene where the boy is
leaving home as a soldier and his mother is sending him off to the army. I
thought his mother felt sad when saying goodbye to her son. His mother looked
at her son with sad-looking eyes. But the boy did not look at his mother. He
looked like he was obliged to go to the army. I had a feeling that the boy
looked that way because he had already prepared for going to the army but he
looked unhappy, sad and dejected. When I saw the monuments, I could understand
the stone and what it was trying to tell and show me. For example, his strong
decision to enter the army and about his mother’s feeling. I was sad but also I
was impressed by his brave act. In conclusion, I was really thankful to visit
Portland, especially, Japanese American Memorial. I thought that learning the
history of Japanese Americans are totally essential to studying English and to
live here, because if I can get the information and knowledge about Japanese
Americas, the conversation between Americans, other people and I will become
more of a substantial talk. In addition, I might get various opinions and
ideas. For me, it is difficult to talk about World War II, but it is great opportunity
and experience to talk about when visiting Japanese American Memorial, so I
want to discuss Japanese Americans and war with America people and other
people.