Growing up, I didn't know about the Japanese internment camps until I saw a movie of the week as an adult. I remember going, 'How come that wasn't covered in history class?' Moving to California, you run into people whose grandparents lost everything and their businesses and were put in these internment camps.

In this quote, Adina Porter, an actress known for her roles in television and film, reflects on her discovery of the Japanese internment camps in the United States. She shares how, as a child, she was unaware of this significant historical event until she saw a movie about it as an adult. The internment camps were facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and imprisoned during World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Porter expresses her surprise that this aspect of history was not covered in history class, highlighting a gap in the education system regarding this important event.

Porter goes on to explain that after moving to California, she encountered people whose grandparents had been directly affected by the internment. Many lost their businesses, homes, and personal possessions during their forced relocation. Her experience in California revealed the lasting impact of the internment on those whose families endured it, emphasizing how this historical trauma continued to shape lives even generations later. Through this, Porter underscores the importance of acknowledging and educating about such dark chapters of history.

The origin of this quote is tied to Porter’s personal realization and education about the internment camps, which had previously been overlooked in her own schooling. It highlights the importance of educating future generations about uncomfortable and often overlooked aspects of history, like the internment camps, to ensure that these events are not forgotten or repeated.

Ultimately, Porter’s statement serves as a reflection on the gaps in historical education and the need for cultural awareness. By sharing her own experience, she calls attention to the value of understanding the historical injustices faced by different groups, particularly Japanese Americans during WWII. It is a reminder that history should not only be learned through textbooks but also through the stories and testimonies of those who lived through these experiences.