Reyes Gibbs Blog

"Oh you mean the J_p Camp."

Day two of my adventure with Peggy (who is Japanese-American) involved finding the internment camp that her parents were imprisoned during the war.   There were a total of 10 in the country and two of them were in Arizona.   We set out on this adventure with a general knowledge of the area to look in.   Our driver was half Japanese, raised in Arizona and  had little knowledge of the internment camps.  So of course it was our duty to introduce him to part of the Japanese History by having him help us find the camp.  When we were driving to the camp, we asked if he knew about the Japanese American experience in the internment camps and he said he vaguely remembers a conversation about it in school.  But was really surprised to find out that two camps were in Arizona.

The camp is Butte Relocation Camp (name used by the government to make it sound nice).  The internment camp is located on the Gila River Reservation.  It was a very large prison and we knew it would be easy to find.   

We knew the town it was near by and headed out on the Arizona highway to find it.   When we got to the the little town, we realized we were in trouble!  The reservation has no street signs.  In fact most of all their signs are handpainted on pieces of wood.   Driving through the reservation for me was an eye opener.   It is very poor with very little, if any commerce.  But that's another story.

As we drove around, we knew there was no way that we would find the camp without help.   We were also on a reservation and did not have permission to visit the memorial site.  So we decided to ask for directions!  We went to a trailer marked DOT, went in and asked for information.  I sat in the car while some of our group went it.  Peggy came out laughing and shared the experience of asking for diretions, "Do you know were the Japanese Internment Camp Memorial is?"   He looked at us very puzzled.  Then, "Do you know where the Japanese relocation camp that was here during the war is?   Still puzzled, Then, "You know the place where they put the Japanese."  Then he understood, "Oh, you mean the Jap Camp!"  It wasn't the time to correct him and explain to him that the word "Jap" was derrogatory and etc.  We needed directions!

The directions included something like, "down the paved road until you hit a dirt road, pass the orchard, turn right up the hill, and if you find a farmer, ask him.   So after about 45 minutes of driving down dirt roads, find a few orchards, and making a bunch of lefts and rights, we found a farmer.   We asked if he knew were the memorial for the Japanese Internment Camp  was and he knew right away where it was, "down this dirt road, make a right at the main road at the bushes, then up the hill, can't miss it!!  He was right.  After a very bumpy ride and fewer turns, we found the memorial. Graffitied and littered and it looked like some pieces were missing.
For more information about this camp:   Butte Internment Camp at Gila River

  We made it!!  It was profound for me to be in the middle of the dessert and look around and imagine the thousands of people who lived there.  Nothing remains but desert and a few foundations.  But I believe the spirit of those who lived and died there calls out to us to remember them and the injustice and hardship the United States created as a result of fear!!  Hmm sounds familiar.   They say, "If you don't remember your history, you are bound to repeat it!!" 

No "People" magazine...I can't fly!

Today I flew out of Stockton Metropolitan Airport for an adventure in Arizona.  And I always follow the rules, so when my ticket said to be at the airport two hours before my takeoff at 10AM, I was there!!  Only to wait another three hours to leave.  So I had a lot of time for reflection and observation.

The Stockton Airport can only be described as quaint, small, and a foreshadowing of what future air travel might look like as fuel gets more expensive and flights are out of reach for us "middle classers".  There is only one airline that leaves and arrives in Stockton.  For me I leave for Arizona and the next flght back from Arizona is Friday.   I am very impressed with the multitasking of the staff.  The person who checked us in was also the person to helped wave the planes in as they land, brought ice to the plane during flights, and helped load baggage on the baggage cart!!  WHEW!! 

All in all it was a very sad looking place, a reminder of the past, because other counters were closed and dark. (I know that other airlines did fly into Stockton but went bankrupt) and you only went through the security if your flight was next.  They have one baggage carousel.  There was a cafe that was adequate.  But the true telling of this airport is that when you go into the gift store expecting to get magazines for your flight there were none, not even the latest "people" magazine!!!  Not having the "People" magazine as I boarded the flight, was a first.  But so was sitting on an airplane, waiting to taxi, and knowing that no other planes were landing or taking off!
Okay, there was the cropduster.

Pray for small communities like Stockton that are struggling to make it.

Is this table reserved for staff?

My last day of my meeting at the retreat!   For the past 48 hours, I have been with a wonderful group of folks who serve the church in all aspects-pastors and lay.  We are all Asian Americans and were at this meeting to learn about mentoring Asian American young adults interested in vocations in ministry - church, community or elsewhere.  A lot of information about the Asian American perspective and specifically Young Adults.  So yes, there was discussion about racism, stereotyping, "white" people, young adult perspectives and our own journeys in faith.   A filled and informative meeting.

But I'm ready to go home.  Bags packed.  First one at breakfast.  AS I ate my breakfast, by myself, a "white, old man..." came up to me and asked, "Is this table reserved for staff?"  Looking around at the other tables, I was the only person of color in the room!!! So..after saying "No!" very loudly...I said, "Lord, we have a long way to go!!"  I'm gonna keep praying!!!   For the white people reading this thinking so what's wrong with the question?  Here's my wondering, "Why didn't he go to the table with the one "white" person sitting at a table and ask, "Is this table reserved for staff?"

A retreat center - What's a retreat?

I am in Chicago for a couple of days at a retreat center.   For those who know me, "retreat" is not one of the words I use often, if at all.   So you can imagine my excitement when I went into the hallway of my room when a sign confronted me with "Please be quiet Zen meditation in progress next two days!"  Okay, so being quiet will be good, "Be still!" is what I have a hard time doing so this is good.   There is art on the walls and that is very helpful in quieting my soul and then I turn a corner there is Jesus!  It's  a Catholic retreat center.    So being still and seeing Jesus and every turn will be good reminders that when I am not in my meetings, I'll be "retreating" to quiet and Jesus, not bad!!!

I was so excited to learn that there was wireless here.  Talking to the young man at the desk he said that althought this is a retreat center and people are supposed to be away from their regular busy lives, there is a high demand for wireless and to be connected.   Hooray!!! But..it is only available on certain floors, if you sit in a particular place and I think you put the laptop upside down.   AFter an hour of trying to log in and talking to the support 800 number, I found that you have to go to the business center and be in the sight line of the modem!!! Because it was late, I "retreated" and went to bed!

This morning I went into the business center and still no luck.  But the good news is that they have one computer that one can use for 15 minutes if there is a line!   So I am up early, checking email and preparing myself to check my email only twice a day and since there is no line to use the computer I decided I'd write this comment on a retreat.  Wait! If no one comes for awhile I can write two blogs!!  Wait, I think I have a problem!!!   I think retreat means that I have to separate myself from my my email and the internet and focus on something else.  Okay, so before I start my meeting, I'm logging off and taking time to retreat onto the retreat setting "being still and focusing on Jesus!"  not a bad idea! 

And the Children shall lead

Check  Bruce's Blog

"What, you trying to force me into a mid-life crisis?" 

in this blog, he laments the fact that he is one of the "oldies" in the faith community he serves.   What made me laugh is that  one of his contacts asks him to fill out a survey about why "older" people are on face book!

You have read here how some of my children have told me that "its just not right!" that I am on facebook.
It's pretty funny that my "oldest and eldest" is considered one of the "oldest."   I am on facebook because my son said it would be a good idea!   And I believe that our children have great ideas and why not follow their leads!

Now off to answer the survey, "Why older people are on facebook?"

The right to Protest - Ramblings from an uninformed source

I am watching the news about the protestors climbing the Golden Gate Bridge!   As a previous commuter on the bridge and memories of trying to get over when Woody Harrelson was protesting the cutting of the redwoods and the long wait on the bridge makes me want to say, "Who cares?"    Don't get me wrong, but when you are driving the GG Bridge, the priorities on the driver's mind is usually about their destination and most likely the traffic jam will not bring sympathy to their cause.   A word of caution before you read this, I am not informed,  I am rambling from my gut!!

This protest bring up four major things for me

1. Who's securing the GG Bridge?   How did people get on the bridge, climb the cables, hang a sign, and still hanging on the cables without any interventions?   So glad they weren't "terrorists" with  other intentions.   Just brings to mind that "where there is a will, there is a way!"  We need to thank the protestors for creating the opportunity on how the bridge is protected and just how secure is our security? 
2.   We as a nation have acted like China.  I wonder if the US wasn't a mentor for how to be a big bully nation.   We complain about human rights in China but in the name of security, we arrest and detain American citizens because....We say that China should be transparent about their nuclear and military programs.  I admit I am not well-read nor an expert on diplomacy.  But just from where I pray and stand, the US could do a lot more about alleviating the life conditions of many in our own country as well as other countries.  Rather than forcing countries to become "democracies" when some of our allies are not.  I think China is doing just what the US does and continues to do...pollute, make the gap between the rich and the poor wider and wider and force themselves on other countries.
3. If we could turn back the clock, maybe we as a nation could have  learned to depend on our own nation as opposed to depending on cheap labor...and the rest is history.  We have become so dependent on China we can't say much!!!   
4. The Olympics is not just about the country.  Its about the participants.  It's about the youngster who dreams of winning the gold medal and finally having the opportunity to do it.  It is the American Dream!!  Boycotting the Olympics should have been one of the arguments for not having the Olympics in China, not only by the US but other countries before they made the decision to go to China.  Deciding whether or not to have the games in China must have had arguments for and against from all parties, but the Olympic committee did decide.   That's the process and when we don't like the process we want to change it, Is that the American way?

Time to go more news to watch and Bible to read!!!  Hope Tibet, the people who are poor, homeless and hungry are on your heart so that you can do something, but please don't stop traffic!

Things I learned on my trip to Disneyland!

I had a great time in Disneyland with our four granddaughters.   That was the great time being with them.  Disneyland was crowded, expensive, but for my granddaughters it was the "happiest place in the world!"
I also was blessed to be with two of our children (their parents).   I learned that a 15-month old could learn how to dip french fries in ketchup and make it an art!  I learned that my 11-year old granddaughter thinks standing in line and NOT reading a book at the same time is just not right.  I learn alot from my children but here is what I learned from watching the crowds.

• If it jiggles it should be covered!  I wonder if people have stopped looking in mirrors before walking out in public or they have great self-esteem.  With the low rise jeans and the  "huge" pot bellies (not pigs) I saw more than I wanted!   An observation for those who wear low rise jeans - Don't wear thong panties and if your stomach goes over the waistband of the jeans just maybe you might want to buy bigger or better fitting jeans!  or a longer blouse.  Okay judgemental, sorry.
• If people weigh too much, they have to close down "It's a small world!"  I was so disappointed that I couldn't take my granddaughters on "It's a small world" because it closed to make modifications and update their exhibit.  In addition, they have to modify the boats or the way people go through the castle because folks are getting heavier and the small boats didn't float well.   Now if you want proof that we are becoming a fatter nation, here it is!
• If you have a child you are nursing and a toddler in tow, don't expect to ride rides!   I sat next to a young couple who had two children, 3 months and 19months.  They had come with friends and the grandparents.  The friends took off and left the parents with the kids.   The baby had just been nursed and the husband wanted to go on a ride.  I thought, perfect for the grandparents, until the grandmother said, "you can't leave me the baby."  I of course, couldn't help myself, I had my 15-month old in arms and said, "Sure you can, she's just been nursed, they won't be more than an hour!"  At that the grandmother said to me, "you don't know this baby, she eats all the time, look how fat she is!"   At that point, they decided to leave Disneyland. they had spent over $300 to get in for the day.  Their friends had abandoned them.   I wanted to offer to watch the baby and deal with a hungry child if she should wake up but thought better.  So they packed up and left.  DIsneyland was not a happy place for them!
• If you bring children, you are the one that is supposed to be patient, not them.   I must have heard it a dozen times for parents, "Just relax, sit in your stroller, stop crying, we are here because of you!"  Goes along way with a three year old.  It seems that parents forget that their children get excited, hungry and tired and that they are allowed to act like children.  Oh well!
• Its not a family vacation if you bring your IPod!  I walked between a mother and her teenage daughter arguing about the daughter's IPod!.  The mother said, "We are on vacation, having family time you cannot listen to your IPod!"  Hmmm
• What to do while waiting in line?  I learned from my granddaughter that one should bring a book.  I observed that many brought their DS games and played while waiting and yes, some had their Ipods listening to music.

Would I go back to Disneyland?  Of course with my granddaughters but not during Spring Break! I will bring the books, DS and Ipod and glasses that stop the glare of jiggling parts not covered!