Japanese "War Brides"

Summary:

Japanese American "War Brides" living in Fayetteville, North Carolina discuss their experiences with war, marriage, immigration, and cultural identity

Website:

http://www.annawu.com/warbrides.html

Timely on:

March: Women's History Month

Tones:

Contemplative, Humorous, Intimate

Language:

English

Description:

At the close of World War II, Congress passed the War Brides Act of 1945, which allowed foreign brides of U.S. military personnel to immigrate to the United States. It had the interesting effect of allowing entry to hundreds of thousands of Asian women--at a time when Asian immigration was generally banned, and citizenship was still denied on the basis of race.

It is estimated that over 100,000 Japanese women have since immigrated under this law. Anna Wu spoke with some of these women who are now in their fifties and above, residing in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They share their personal experiences with war, marriage, immigration, and cultural identity.

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