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Identifier
UrabeFumikoSandi_2008_CRP
Description
We were in Mrs. Urabe’s home. Mrs. Urabe told us about her family’s life when they were here in Salinas. Her father would work while her mother took care of the household. Her parents had known each other in Japan before they married in the States. All of her siblings still reside in Salinas. There was a small school that most of the children attended from all ages and grades. She said she had a happy childhood. Since Mrs. Urabe was the oldest she was in charge of her siblings and their chores. She spoke Japanese at home while both her parents tried to learn English. They would speak both languages. They would celebrate both American and Japanese holidays. There were community picnics that they also celebrated together. Everyone in the community would bring food and play games. Her husband had his own barbershop before and after the war on Lake Street. The street was owned by her brother in law. The men would all go in to the barbershop to hang around and look at the Playboy magazines. Sometimes the men would go to hang around. He would also volunteer his time and coach various sports team. She also spoke about the marriage with her husband. She explained the go between within the families that the couples were from. The families had to clear things back in Japan as far as castings and family history. Both of Mrs. Urabe’s family and her husband’s family knew each other from back in Japan. She came to Salinas when she was married. It was considered one of the biggest Japanese community around at the time. She was given two weeks to leave their home and to an internment camp. Most had to sell their property and people would come to buy their things for a small price. A lot of people lost their belongings. When they left they had to layer their clothes with only one suitcase to take. They were living in stalls that were transformed into living spaces for Japanese families. Her family was there for a month and then they were transferred to a camp in Arizona. The family moved from the camps to Illinois for work. They were confused for white people because not many people had seen Japanese people. Sandi Urabe spoke about her experiences living in Salinas after her parents moved the family back from the East. They both spoke about the two books that are coming out. One book is mostly pictures with descriptions about buildings in China town and Japan town. The other book is being written by a professional about the Japanese history in Salinas. Both described China town as dangerous and not many of them would travel down Soledad Street. They would visit the Republic Cafe. Soledad Street had a lot of bars, gambling halls, and brothels and most of the Chinese and Japanese would stay separated. Sandi describes her childhood as being Americanized and trying to fit into the American culture. Japanese families tried to be “American” because there were a lot of accusations as Japanese not being loyal. Sandi received her Bachelor’s degree in Literature and went on to achieve her teaching credentials. She went on to teach at Seaside High. She received her Master’s in Educational psychology form CSU Hayward. She worked on a project to help migrant students find jobs.
Interview Date
10-13-2009
Interviewer
Adrienne Graham; Stephanie Arechiga
Geographic Coverage
Salinas (Calif.)
Subjects
Chinatown (Salinas, Calif.); Japanese American families; Temporary Assembly Centers--Salinas; Incarceration Camps--Poston (Colorado River); Race discrimination
Type
Sound
Genre
Oral histories
Digital Format
audio/mp3
Language
eng
Digital Collection
Chinatown Renewal Project
Repository
Archives & Special Collections of California State University, Monterey Bay
Disclaimer
These oral histories express the personal views, memories, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy or views of California State University, Monterey Bay.
Recommended Citation
Urabe, Sandi; Urabe, Fumiko; and California State University, Monterey Bay, "Interview with Sandi and Fumiko Urabe" (2009). Chinatown Renewal Project. 38.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/ohcma_chinatown/38
Rights Statement
