Series: Education Inequalities in World War II

Entangled Inequalities is a project that tells the story of the two (extra) ordinary families. The Munemitsu and Mendez families lived on a farm in southern California. Their story connects two pieces of World War II history: the US incarceration of Japanese Americans and the segregation of Latino students in California schools. The three lessons in this series allow students to learn more about the entangled inequalities faced by the two families. It supports the Entangled Inequalities Series.

• Article 1: A Series of Lessons on Entangled Inequalities in World War II

  

  Three lessons allow students to explore the challenges for education equality during World War II and study the people who fought to improve access for their communities. In support of the Entangled Inequalities: Japanese Incarceration and Mendez et al. v Westminster School District of Orange County et al. article series. Read more

• Article 2: Lesson 1: Education Inequalities in Japanese Incarceration Camps During WWII

  The Munemitsu family had four children; Seiko, who went by Tad, Saylo, Akiko “Aki”, and Kazuko “Kazi.” The children were “Nisei,” second-generation Japanese Americans who were American citizens. In 1942 they attended their local schools in Westminster, California. After Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. The Munemitsu children were forcibly relocated to Poston, Arizona. This lesson is based on articles from Entangled Inequalities. Read more

• Article 3: Lesson 2: Education Inequalities in California Schools during World War II

  

  Before Brown v. Board of Education, another court case declared that “separate was not equal” in schools. For decades, the California school systems segregated Mexican descended students into separate schools. Denied entry because of their Mexican heritage, the Mendez family challenged the decision. Their case went to the US Court of Appeals. This lesson is part of a series of lessons based on Entangled Inequalities articles. Read more

• Article 4: Lesson 3: Entangled Education Inequalities in World War II

  

  Sylvia Mendez and Aki Munemitsu are tied together because they lived in the same place. They also suffered discrimination in the United States in the twentieth century. Both girls tried to get a good education but could not because of their heritage and the color of their skin. Students learning about their experiences can get a sense of the inequalities in American history and how people insisted on equal opportunities. Read more

• Article 5: Entangled Inequalities: Japanese Incarceration and Mendez, et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County, et al.

  

  While often discussed in isolation, Japanese incarceration and school segregation unfolded concurrently within the lives of the Mendez and Munemitsu families. This project explores the entangled inequalities that brought the two families together. It also highlights some of the people and historic places that can speak to their story. Read more