This spring, the Library is proud to collaborate with the College of Education for the One Book, One Coast community read event. This year’s selection, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, is a moving graphic memoir that recounts Takei’s childhood years spent in American incarceration camps during World War II.
By revisiting this dark chapter of history through Takei’s eyes, we aren’t just looking at the past—we are examining the enduring impact of racialized incarceration and the power of resilience.
Join the Conversation: The Panel Discussion
May 14th | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Library 170
The centerpiece of our programming is an interdisciplinary panel featuring faculty and graduate students from Education and History. Join us as we explore the book through multiple lenses:
- The Local Impact: Uncovering the history of Japanese immigrant women right here in Oregon. (read our panelist’s latest article about Portland’s detention camp)
- The Educational Imperative: Discussing how we teach social justice and “difficult histories” in our schools today.
- The Echoes of Trauma: Understanding the long-term psychological impacts of state-sanctioned incarceration.
Special Exhibit: View a display of items from our archival collections related to the Japanese American experience in the Pacific Northwest. Seeing these primary sources alongside a conversation about Takei’s narrative offers a powerful, tangible connection to the story.
How to Participate
Whether you are a student, faculty member, or community advocate, there are several ways to engage with the One Book, One Coast event:
- Attend the George Takei Webinar: Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from the author himself. Please select Multnomah County Library as your closest home library system (and consider registering for a library card while you’re at it!).
- Get Your Copy: We are excited to offer a book giveaway! Copies are limited and available for PSU students, faculty, and staff only, fill out this form to snag a physical copy.
- Read Digitally: If you prefer to read on your device, an electronic version is available for students, staff, and faculty through the PSU Library.
- Go Deeper: Looking for more? We have curated a reading list on the themes of the book.
Why This Matters Now
This collaboration between the Library and the College of Education highlights the vital role of story in our academic community. They Called Us Enemy reminds us that history is not just a series of dates, but a collection of human lives.
We hope to see you on May 14th as we reflect on our shared history and work toward a more just future.