1944 2 14 Letter from Kay to Chiz, Ed and Kix

1944 2 14 Letter from Kay to Chiz, Ed and Kix

Kay tells Chiz, Eddie and Kiku about opportunities for work on the Seabrook Farm. She describes the low pay of work for Negroes, Jamaicans and Japanese Ameircans and how the workers are "grossly disliked" by the towns people. You also can't quit the job because its is essential for the war effort. She says all the good positions are taken by hakujin. She offers to look for work opportunities for Eddie in Blatimore or New York. She describes Neich making her nihon shoku stuff to eat during her 2 week vacation time when she was sick, and the high price of rent. Kay describes Tom's apartment in Chicago and housing discrimination which he faced, since she visited him, John and Tomi (mom). "The better places seem to say nix to a JA." She also bemoans the draft which will send families back to camp. She describes a case of a son being drafted to a low position despite his lawyer degree, and the parents are supported by their high school daughter because they cannot get jobs in domestic labor since they are farm people. They will likely return to camp for the duration of the war. Kay also fears her own job stability, because she is only contracted for a year and the work is drying up. (I guess because the draft is taking JA boys?) Kay is also worried about her love/husband prospects. She mentions that she has been visiting with Mich Inouye, a college friend of hers and Bob Omata. She ended formally her relationship with Bob. But she says the doesn't like the Inouye family and the draft is a constant worry.

Notebook D page 37-40