Dramatic Reading of 12-Year-Old's Winning Story "A Reason to be Proud"

Summary

The script follows a young Japanese-American boy named Kyle, struggling with his identity and the challenges of fitting in at school. He faces bullying from classmates, especially from Connor, who taunts him about Pearl Harbor. After an emotional conversation with his mother, Kyle visits a museum showcasing the struggles of Japanese-Americans during World War II, including internment camps and the bravery of those who served in the 442nd Infantry Battalion. His journey leads to a deeper understanding of his heritage, inspiring him to embrace his roots and share his great-grandfather's heroic story with others.

Takeaways

• 😀 The protagonist, Kyle, is struggling with his identity as a Japanese-American, feeling disconnected from his heritage and trying to distance himself from it.
• 😀 Kyle's school life is difficult, with bullying from a classmate, Connor, who taunts him about the Pearl Harbor bombing and makes him question his ancestry.
• 😀 Kyle's mother, sensing his emotional turmoil, takes him to a museum dedicated to the Japanese-American experience during World War II, specifically highlighting the internment camps.
• 😀 At the museum, Kyle learns about the injustice faced by Japanese-Americans during the war, including being wrongly imprisoned and discriminated against despite being U.S. citizens.
• 😀 Kyle is introduced to the story of the 100th/442nd Infantry Battalion, a group of Japanese-American soldiers who fought bravely for the U.S. despite their families being interned in camps.
• 😀 The realization of these historical injustices starts to challenge Kyle's perception of his heritage and make him reconsider his rejection of his Japanese identity.
• 😀 Kyle's journey continues with a visit to his great-grandmother's home, where he learns more about his family's history, including a relative, Bill Morimoto, who served in the military during World War II.
• 😀 Kyle discovers his great-grandfather's journal and military memorabilia, including a Bronze Star and dog tags, which reveal the hardships Bill faced, including being interned in Manzanar and later losing a leg while fighting in Italy.
• 😀 This discovery makes Kyle reflect on the sacrifices his family made for their country, which helps him understand the strength and courage of his ancestors.
• 😀 Kyle eventually decides to embrace his Japanese-American heritage, choosing to participate in a school project to honor his great-grandfather's legacy, symbolizing his newfound pride in his cultural identity.

Q & A

What is the main conflict Kyle is facing in the story?

Kyle is struggling with his identity as a Japanese-American and feels alienated at school due to bullying from Connor. He is also grappling with his relationship with his mother and his cultural heritage.

Why does Kyle feel disconnected from his Japanese heritage?

Kyle feels disconnected from his Japanese heritage because of the bullying he faces at school, especially from Connor who taunts him about Pearl Harbor. He also feels that his culture is a source of shame and that he doesn’t fit in.

What does Kyle's mother do to help him understand his heritage better?

Kyle's mother takes him to the Go For Broke National Education Center, where he learns about Japanese-American soldiers in World War II, particularly those who fought in the 100th/442nd Infantry Battalion, despite being mistreated and imprisoned during the war.

What is the significance of the Go For Broke National Education Center?

The Go For Broke National Education Center is important because it educates visitors about the bravery and struggles of Japanese-Americans during World War II, especially those who fought for the U.S. while their families were in internment camps.

How does the history of the 442nd Infantry Battalion affect Kyle’s perception of being Japanese-American?

Learning about the 442nd Infantry Battalion helps Kyle understand the sacrifices made by Japanese-Americans who fought for the country that had imprisoned their families. It shifts his perspective, making him feel more pride in his heritage and less ashamed of his identity.

Why does Kyle’s mother bring him to visit BA Hons in Little Tokyo Towers?

Kyle’s mother brings him to visit BA Hons in Little Tokyo Towers to show him family history. There, Kyle learns about his great-grandfather Bill Morimoto, a soldier who fought in World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star, which deepens his understanding of his family’s legacy.

What does Kyle find in the box that his mother brings from BA Hons?

In the box, Kyle finds his great-grandfather Bill Morimoto’s military uniform, dog tags, and a journal. The journal details his great-grandfather’s experiences during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, including his time in an internment camp and his service in the 442nd Infantry Battalion.

What impact does reading Bill Morimoto’s journal have on Kyle?

Reading Bill Morimoto’s journal makes Kyle realize the hardships his great-grandfather faced, which were far worse than his own struggles. This helps Kyle gain a deeper appreciation for his heritage and the sacrifices made by his ancestors.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Go for Broke' in the context of the story?

The phrase 'Go for Broke' is a motto associated with the 442nd Infantry Battalion, symbolizing their willingness to risk everything for their country, despite being unjustly treated. For Kyle, it represents the strength and courage of his heritage, helping him accept and be proud of his Japanese-American identity.

How does Kyle’s perception of his heritage change by the end of the story?

By the end of the story, Kyle gains pride in his Japanese-American heritage. He comes to understand the sacrifices made by his ancestors, particularly his great-grandfather, and realizes that he should embrace his identity rather than try to escape from it.