Featuring:
I Am An American
by Robyn Hobusch
Echols:
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
and the next day the President of United States calls for a declaration of war
on Japan and Germany. For the families of two Livingston, California, USA high
school seniors, Ellen Okita, a first generation American who lives in the
Yamato Colony composed of about 100 families of Japanese descent, and Flo
Kaufmann, whose father is a first generation American in his family, the war
hits home fast and brings unforeseen changes.
Excerpt
from I am an American:
Pride crept into
Ellen’s voice. “Yes. I’m Nisei, born
in America. I’m an American citizen, same as you. But we celebrate Thanksgiving
to remember the Issei experience of our family coming to America from Japan
after we became Christians.”
“That makes sense.”
Flo paused as a question popped into her mind. She held out a hand to stop
Ellen from entering their trig classroom long enough to ask, “Ellen, are your
parents American citizens too? Or do they still consider themselves Japanese
citizens?”
A cloud of sorrow
descended upon Ellen’s face. “My parents are proud to be born Japanese, but
came to the United States willing to become Americans in their new land. It is
the government that won’t allow them to be citizens. People who cross the
Atlantic to make America their new home can become citizens. Unfortunately,
America doesn’t want to allow people who cross the Pacific to be citizens. My
father was twenty-one when he came to America intending to stay for the rest of
his life. But the law will not allow him become a citizen even though he’s American
in his heart.”
Flo reached out to
touch her friend’s hand in commiseration but pulled it back. She knew Ellen did
not welcome physical expressions of affection. “It’s not fair. They should let
your family become citizens.”
Ellen forced a smile.
“You’re a good friend, Flo. If we people of Japanese descent had more friends
like you, the government would let my parents become citizens. Until the laws
change, we’ll be patient and prove our loyalty.”
About PEARL
HARBOR AND MORE
Stories of WWII: December 1941:
On December 7th 1941, a pivotal event took place that
changed the face of World War II. Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes carried
out a devastating surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in
Hawaii. By December 11th, the United States was at war with the Axis
Powers in the Pacific and European theaters. World War II raged for almost
another four years, but the entry of the world’s greatest economy into the
conflict profoundly influenced its course.
This wide-ranging collection of eight stories by a diverse group
of authors, who write wartime fiction, commemorates the 75th
anniversary of the Battle of Pearl Harbor. Few people’s lives were unaffected
in some way by that fateful day and these stories reflect this. Some of them
are set at Pearl Harbor itself, in other parts of the United States and in
Singapore. Other stories take place in Europe: occupied France, Germany and
Northern Ireland. They explore the experiences of U.S. servicemen and women, a
German Jew, Japanese Americans, a French countess, an Ulster Home Guard, and
many others.
We hope readers will enjoy our salute to the people and the
events of this momentous era.
Available at the following online booksellers:
About Robyn Hobusch Echols:
Robyn currently lives with her husband in
California, USA, near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She is a member of Women
Writing the West, and American Night Writers Association. She enjoys any kind
of history including family history. When she is not piecing together novel
plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
Robyn also write historical western romance
under the pen name of Zina Abbott.
Connect with Robyn Hobusch Echols:
