Collaborative Interpretation of "Concentration Constellation"

We've been working with the Visual Art Living Learning Community in collaborative interpretations of a variety of texts.  The first of these collaborations focused on the poem by Lawson Inada, "Concentration Constellation."  Here we've included a visual interpretation by Fly, an excerpt from Amy's analytical interpretation of the poem, and a poetic interpretation from Sam.

"A constellation is any brilliant, outstanding group or assemblage ("Constellation").  In this way, Lawson Fusao Inada calls to attention the constellation of Japanese-American internment camps in his poem 'Concentration Constellation.'  During World War II over 110,000 men, women, and children were stripped from their homes and placed into military-like facilities.  Japanese-Americans were discriminated against and mistreated in various ways due to their race with no regards to their United States citizenship or residency ("Manzanar").  These internment camps clearly make a constellation which can be found on the United States map, if one desires."

This great land we walk

our friends turn to fiends

pointed the finger

now this scar our only friend

walking all alone

under the night sky

locked up put away

forgotten

now imprisoned alone under the night sky

had friends they pointed fingers

we are forgotten 

this great land we walk