Hide Article Text (OCR)
CONTINUED FROM COVER the property, acted as caretakers and provided meals for guests. The Jingu family lived in the park for years, and the mother, Miyoshi Jingu, gave birth to five Children in their garden home. But everything changed during World War II. Suddenly, the city wanted them out, and when the recently widowed Miyoshi didn’t clear out fast enough, San Antonio officials cut off the house’s water and electricity. They didn’t care that the Jingus were good people, just like their white neighbors. They didn’t care that two of the Jingus were fighting in the war and one had earned a Purple Heart. Instead, they kicked the Jingus out, renamed the garden as the “Chinese Tea Garden,” and erased any connec tion to the Land of the Rising Sun. In the 1980s, San Antonio tried to make amends by rededicating the garden and putting “Japanese” back in the name, and in the 2000s, the garden was renovated and restored to its former glory. But if you visit the site today, you'll notice the sign over the entryway still reads “Chinese Tea Garden.” This throwback to 1942 works as a reminder of both Texas’ and America’s history of mistreat ing immigrants. It’s a reminder of how often we've caused suffering in exchange for a sense of security and how often we ignore the wisdom found in a parable like the Good Samaritan. And it’s a sign that makes you reflect on our troubled past and vow, “Never again.” But then, we never seem to learn our lessons, do we? Nolan Moore is a freelance writer who lives in Angleton. Contact him at nolanjm.88@gmail.com.
Newspaper Details
Clute Facts
Clute, Texas, US
Sun, Feb 05, 2017
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
