With the help of the National Park Service Grant this year, and through the Japanese American Citizens League, Marissa Kitazawa (JACL PSW Program Associate) and Alex Margolin (JACL Program Associate) were able to document and follow the Bridging Communities program in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. The goal of the Bridging Communities Program is to create awareness and dialogue from Japanese American and American Muslim youth through a series of interactive sessions including topics such as: identity, culture, religion, civil rights, community history, and community service.


The Bridging Communities program was established as a proactive response from JACL, NCRR and CAIR to a number of incidents of hate and intolerance incurred by the Muslim American community in the long aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Recognizing the similarities that Japanese Americans faced in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor ultimately resulting in Japanese American incarceration, Bridging Communities was meant to build solidarity and partnership between these two communities.
COMING SOON!
Passing Down the Legacy will be released in December 2011.


Directed & Produced by Marissa Kitazawa & Alex Margolin


Shot with: 60D
Lens: Canon 50 f 1/4
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8


Music: In Peace by Alex Beroza


© Marissa Kitazawa © Alex Margolin © Japanese American Citizens League