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The Kindness of Color 

The Story of Two Families and Mendez, et al. v. Westminster, the 1947 Desegregation of California Public Schools

 

“Growing Up Behind Barbed Wire” 2022

Watch this 7 minute film to understand the story behind “The Kindness of Color” and Mendez, et al. v. Westminster, et al.  Inspired by the book, the animated film captures our Munemitsu story of leaving Westminster for the Poston incarceration camp through the eyes of 7 year old twin sisters, my aunts.  Forced to leave the only home they knew during WWII because of their Japanese heritage, this true story is the prelude to the school segregation the Mendez family would face on this same Westminster farm.
The film is a perfect complement to my book and for students and classroom use when studying WWII, American history, and the Japanese American incarceration.  The film is directed/produced by Brendan Bubion, as his thesis for this MFA degree in documentary filmmaking, Dodge College of Film, Chapman University.  Brendan’s hope is for the film to be used in classrooms so that this history is taught and known. I am honored to have Brendan select our story as his thesis film and continue to be a friend and ally to sharing all of history. 
Janice 

 

 

  • “...full to the brim with passion, truth and insight.”

    -Bob Goff

    New York Times Bestselling Author of Love Does, Everybody Always, and Dream Big

  • “Beautifully written, an American story of the courage, patriotism and resilience of two Orange County families.”

    -Honorable Frederick Aguirre

    Judge, Superior Court of Orange County (retired)

  • “...a compelling work that shows how individual acts of kindness by many in the midst of gross injustice provided healing and encouragement…”

    -Al Mijares, PhD

    Orange County Superintendent of Schools

  • “Munemitsu… shows how kindness and respect provide an antidote to bigotry…”

    -Winifred Conkling

    Author of Sylvia & Aki

  • “...a beautifully crafted true and inspiring story of how the cross-cultural cooperation between two oppressed families… led to a landmark case of public-school desegregation…”

    -Dr. Art Hansen

    Emeritus Professor of History and Asian American Studies,

    California State University, Fullerton

  • “...twists and turns like fiction but all is real, factual, and historical…”

    -Tommy Dyo

    Asian American Pacific Islander Community Advocate

    National Director, Epic Movement

  • “A must-read for those who are genuinely interested in breaking past the color barriers of our society to authentically see the goodness and kindness in the people around us.”

    -Greg Campbell

    Management and Leadership Consultant

    Author of The Surprising Power of The Coil

  • “...expertly integrating family and community anecdotes to create a fascinating narrative. I loved this book, and I know you will too!”

    -Jasmine Chhabria

    National History Day Finalist, 2018

    Keynote Speaker on Mendez v. Westminster

    Class of 2022, Northwood High School, Irvine, CA

  • “...shows how ordinary people faced with profound hardship... can work together to assure that America puts its principles into practice in pursuit of liberty and justice for all.”

    -Jeff Hittenberger, PhD

    Chief Academic Officer, Orange County Department of Education

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About The Color of Kindness

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