Show Notes
A Japanese American teen in a WWII internment camp edits a rebellious newspaper. What would you do?
The camp newspaper that defied a nation and defined a writer
This episode explores the life of Albert Fairchild Saijo, named after his father's employer, and the profound impact of his experiences during WWII internment. It delves into how he found his voice as a writer amidst adversity and refused to let others define his story.
Person: Albert Fairchild Saijo Date: 1942 Location: Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Wyoming Event: WWII Japanese American internment Publication: Heart Mountain Echoes
- Satoru Saijo, Albert's father, arrived in the US from Japan in 1900 and named his son after his Ohio industrialist employer. - Albert Saijo was 15 years old when his family was moved from Los Angeles to the Pomona Assembly Center, then to Heart Mountain. - He became the editor of the Heart Mountain Echoes, the camp newspaper, which was supervised by the War Relocation Authority. - On the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Saijo published an editorial in the Echoes arguing against racial prejudice. - The camp newspaper, under Saijo's editorship, directed readers to Gordon Hirabayashi's federal court challenge against his internment order.
To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.
© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].
More from Real Life: Survival Stories
A backyard rose breeder is accused of endangering national security. Can he prove his innocence when his life's work is used against him?
A young Russian soldier calculates a journey to the Moon, but his name could get him killed. He must trade his past to stay alive.
You watch men in uniform take Paul from your apartment-do you warn the others, or keep the secret that keeps them faithful?
A two-year-old calls Sandra from a besieged Mumbai building - she’s in a laundry room with men with guns inside; do you leave the laundry room?
A cleric opens a book-bomb at the Iranian embassy in Damascus and survives-how did that failed assassination shape Hezbollah and the region?