He wore the uniform of a U.S. soldier — but when he visited his parents at the Gila River camp, the guns were pointed in, not out.
This Veterans Day, we honor the complex history of Asian Americans who served their country — even when their country didn’t necessarily honor them in return.
Renee Tajima-Peña told this moving personal story at #APARRI2025, and we’re grateful to share it now.
Reel cover portrait of Renee from www.reneetajimapena.com.
Then & Now is a new video series where APARRI scholars connect history to the present, telling stories about APA religions and cultures and why they still matter today. Watch this video featuring filmmaker Renee Tajima-Peña (& follow for more updates) here!