On Wednesday, April 29, 2015 the Y11 students of the Lycée Français welcomed an extraordinary program to our school. Youth Arts New York’s Hibakusha Stories initiative organized a conference regarding the lessons one can learn from the atomic attack on Hiroshima August 6, 1945 seventy years later. (Learn more about the Hibakusha.)
The conference featured Hibakusha Yasuaki Yamshita, a survivor of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima, and Mitchie Takeuchi, whose father treated victims as a doctor in Hiroshima’s hospital. In addition, they were joined by Véronique Christory, a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross at the United Nations, and Joanna Macy (née Rogers, LFNY Promotion 1947), a nuclear disarmament activist.
Our guest Hibakusha told a powerful personal narrative of survival, forgiveness, and resilience in the face of adversity. Mr. Yamshita recounted the stigma many Hibakusha experienced in postwar decades and his own courageous efforts to share his story. Students were moved by his testimony and his peace-filled response when asked whether he hated the United States for its actions during the war. His message rejected despair, instead inspiring hope through the poetry he recited. Furthermore, he left students with the image of a pebble tossed into the sea causing ripples that eventually will be felt across the globe.
From left to right Arthur Plaza, Véronique Christory, Yasuaki Yamshita, Joanna Macy, Robert Croonquist, Mitchie Takeuchi.
Mr. Robert Croonquist moderated the conference in an interactive manner inviting the audience to consider all the things that they enjoy in life during a minute of silence. When a minute expired he informed students that it took 60 seconds for the atomic bomb to make impact in Hiroshima after being released from the plane that carried it. In that minute the lives of hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens were forever altered or ended, something that struck his listeners profoundly.
Below we are pleased to share some of the reflections that this conference stimulated on the part of our students.
Margot R.: I really liked how they made it interactive and how open the people were with their stories. They really emphasized how important it was to share their story so that more initiatives towards disarmament can be taken. I found this crucial because we know that nuclear plants and arms are extremely dangerous yet hearing an actual person experience the tragedy and loss that these things bring makes it feel more important. Since it isn’t just something on the news or a history book, we realize the emotional consequences that events like Hiroshima have on people which an important factor that we can truly only understand with these kind of conferences.
“Tears in my eyes”
Tanzil A.: This conference was definitely one of the better ones we’ve ever had at our school. The subject was very interesting and compelling, and it really raised awareness about the severity of nuclear weapons. It was very interesting to see so many different perspectives on the bombings in Hiroshima, whether first hand or from far away. This helped us understand how the bombings can affect everyone, even those who aren’t directly hit.
Rhea K.: I thought this was by far the most interesting conference we have attended all year. Not only did it cover a topic that is prominent in our modern world but it also was very moving. When Yasuaki Yamshita spoke, I had tears in my eyes… All the stories were so powerful and compelling.
“I was hanging on the edge of my seat”
Ines de M.: I was hanging on the edge of my seat while Mr. Yamshita was talking. I didn’t understand at first that they were, for the most part, fighting for the end of nuclear weaponry and general industry. I found both Mr. Yamshita and Ms. Takeuchi’s account riveting. Joanna Macy, while I didn’t find her account particularly novel, was interesting in defending her stance. I think that it is definitely a conference worth having again next year.
Audrey W.: I was really moved by what Yasuaki Yamshita said about not hating any American. I’m really involved with Japanese culture: both of my parents speak Japanese fluently, and I have lived there for 2 years. What he said really reflects Japanese philosophy of not spreading hate. Having survivors of the bombs or people that are strongly tied to the events actualizes the horrors of WW2 that we weren’t able to experience. I feel as if WW2 never happened, but by listening to their stories, it sort of hit me that these bombs actually happened and caused huge damaged.
“Nuclear power is not as bad as they made it seem”
Valerie P.-L.: I found that having people who were directly or indirectly affected by the Hiroshima-Nagasaki atomic bombs, gave the conference a sense of authenticity. It was interesting to know that we are the last generation who will see people who have survived the disaster and made me feel part of history. A person is a living relic.
On the other hand, I found that at times, the comments made by some of our guests were not really correlating with nuclear disarmament. They spoke about the nuclear plant at Indian Point and spoke about how much of a danger to the people it could be. Yet, they seem to have overlooked the fact that the nuclear plant is not being used as a weapon of mass destruction but rather to generate energy. Also it serves as an alternative to the fossil fuel powered factories that release tons of pollution into the air. Therefore nuclear power is not as bad as they made it seem. I thought they could have considered that aspect of the nuclear plant at Indian Point.
Alexandre F.: I thought that this conference was a great experience, as it informed everyone present on the horrors of the bombings, as well as the admirable actions of those affected by it. We heard first-hand perspectives, understood their pain and regret, and finally saw how these experiences led to their careers in nuclear-disarmament and the quest for a more harmonious global society. Overall, I would highly recommend having the speakers back to the school, in order to impart more information on these terrible acts to those who might be ignorant of their amplitude. Yamshita’s responses were especially poignant, as he spoke about his desire for world peace, and the “ripples” that we could create by acting on our own in order to achieve it.
“Incredibly strong and inspiring figures”
Helene C.: I wish I could attend this conference again. Each story was so moving and powerful. They helped us realize that even though this issue may not affect us directly, it is our duty to carefully think about and fight against nuclear armament and the suffering it has caused. Moreover, Yamshita and Takeuchi were incredibly strong and inspiring figures. Any student would benefit from listening to their story.
Javier E.: I thought the conference was very moving, and I felt honored to hear from such a prestigious panel. Although it might have been inappropriate to do so on the spot, I think it would have been extremely fruitful to have a debate on nuclear weapons but also nuclear energy some day after the conference. That way we could have seen both sides of the issue, and their presentation could armes us with strong arguments, thus making the debate more lively.
“His message of peace was especially heartwarming”
Luc A.-R.: I thought that this was one of the most fruitful and interesting assemblies of the year. The first hand testimonies, especially those of Yamshita and Takeuchi, were incredibly emotional and gave us a better idea about the horrors of nuclear war. This conference definitely encouraged me to be more active in the fight against nuclear armament.
My favorite part of the conference was Yamshita’s response to my question about whether he felt resentful towards the US. His message of peace was especially heartwarming.
Etienne G.: Very interesting! One of the [few] conferences that were actually enjoyable. Just to be able to see people still alive through these crazy and, to us, unimaginable attacks. Their stories were captivating and although we do not share the same views on nuclear weapons it is still great to see the other side of the argument.
Ben S.: I think that both Mitchie and Yamshita’s stories were very interesting and touching. It is a once in a life time experience, and I liked how Yamshita seemed so nice, and did not feel any hate at all.
About the Author :
Arthur Plaza holds a Ph.D in History and French Studies from New York University. He also studied at Sciences-Po and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research in France in 2004-2005. Part of his research was published in the collective volume entitled “Politiques de la laïcité au XXe siècle” (PUF, 2007). In addition, he has been an editorial assistant at the scholarly journal, French Politics, Culture & Society.