The Manzanar Committee is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the incarceration and violation of civil rights of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II and to the continuing struggle of all peoples when Constitutional rights are in danger.
The Committee recently announced the first annual Manzanar Committee Student Awards Program, a creative works program that will recognize students who demonstrate an understanding of his/her guiding principles of social justice and constitutional rights in today's society.
This year's theme is Kodomo No Tame Ni: For The Sake of the Children - Liberty and Justice For All. K-12 students are invited to submit essays, short stories, poetry, works of art, including drawings, collages, posters, and works involving technology, including animation, podcasts, movies or videos.
Winning entries will be eligible for prizes up to $100, and their works may be presented at the 47th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage on April 30, 2016, and on the Manzanar Committee's website and/or blog.
First Annual Manzanar Committee Student Awards Program
With the theme of the 47th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, Kodomo No Tame Ni - For The Sake Of The Children,the Manzanar Committee will hold it’s first annual Manzanar Committee Student Awards Program.
K-12 Students may participate by submitting creative works depicting their awareness, given today's climate of racial profiling, racism, and social justice, whether it be written(essay, short story, poetry), visual arts (painting, drawing, collage, poster, etc.) or technology (animation, podcast, public service announcement, movie, video, etc.).
Entrants should consider the following:
• Why Manzanar? Was it necessary?
• How have the events of December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001, or more recent events affected my community and me?
• How have the events of December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001, or more recent events raised by awareness to continue the struggle of all people when constitutional rights are in danger?
• How have the events, policies, public reaction following December 7, September 11, or more recent events, raised your awareness of upholding the civil rights for all people?
•Reflecting on Pearl Harbor and September 11, and how these events have affected your life today?
•How are you instrumental in dealing with these issues?
•What have I learned from the past so that history does not repeat itself?
•What have I done in my community to educate and make changes?
The awards program will recognize students who demonstrate an understanding and guiding principles of social justice in today's society. Winning entrants will receive up to $100, and their work will be recognized at the Manzanar Pilgrimage and may be published in the Pilgrimage program and on the Manzanar's Committee's official blog. Final award amounts will be determined by the Manzanar Committee.
Categories for submissions include short prose genres, art, and technology. The deadline for entries is March 25. For further information, including program rules, refer to the Manzanar Committee website.
