New American Pin, 2020
1.25” round button (right)
Open edition
In the aftermath of Dec. 7, 1941, “Remember Pearl Harbor” became a popular phrase, printed on all manner of souvenir items. It reinforced love of country and was used to rally support for troops, the sale of war bonds and military enlistment. When directed at Asian Americans, the same phrase created fear and implied complicity. The bombing of Pearl Harbor led to the signing of Executive Order 9066, allowing for the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, two thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. This artwork is not meant to minimize the patriotism of veterans or the memory of service personnel and civilians who died at Pearl Harbor. Indeed, members of my own family both served in the U.S. Army during WWll and were Hawai’i-born residents during the Japanese attack. New American Pin (2020) allows for the idea that American sacrifice has taken many forms in our history, including the patriotism and suffering of Indigenous, Black and Brown Americans. We can remember or forget things we are proud of, as well as things we are ashamed of. What do you choose to remember?