The power of the word CITIZEN..messages from Secretary Norman Mineta

Today, my class had the honor to meet with Former Secretary Norman Mineta, actually it is more like former congressmen former secretary former secretary Norman Mineta. Sec. Mineta has an amazing resume, from his beginnings in politics as a Councilman in San Jose to becoming a Congressman from California, to work in two administrations as Secretary of Commerce for Bill Clinton and Secretary of Transportation for George W. Bush. However, when the former secretary spoke, he spoke not of his life as a politician, but worked to inspire us devote our lives to public service in any way, shape, or form. Further, he asked us to commit to working for those who don't have a voice, to inspire others to speak up and be proud, proud to be a citizen of the United States of America. 


Sec. Mineta opened the conversation with the telling of a story of a family experiencing some of the hardest times for Japanese Americans in American History, this family being his. The story began with a fourteen year old Japanese boy, the second son of the family, moving to America to find a way of life, as his status as second son prevented him from having meaning in Japan. This boy, accidentally getting off in Washington, traveled a year, work camp to work camp, to his Uncle in Southern California. The now 16 year old established himself, learned English, worked hard, and eventually began a family. On December 7, 1941, the life of this man and his family changed forever, as Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor. Sec. Mineta mentioned this was the first time he saw his father cry. The following February, President Roosevelt signed an executive order allowing the internment of Japanese Americans in segregated camps, which ended up mostly being horse stables at fairgrounds or race tracks. As a listener, hearing Sec. Mineta recount these events of his father's past and his memories of a child sent shivers up your spine. The most heartbreaking part was when he held a picture of a sign that was posted in neighborhoods that provided directions for "Aliens and Non-Aliens". Sec. Mineta drew attention to the last part, "non-alien". Although he was born in America, because of his ancestry, Sec. Mineta was not considered a citizen, rather a "non-alien". He told all of us that because of that very rhetoric does he hold the word "citizen" very close to his heart. After life in the internment camps and partnering with his father's insurance company, the Sec. Mineta moved to San Jose and began his work in politics.


Sec. Mineta closed the conversation with a beautiful sentiment about the country he loved and would sacrifice everything for. When discussing the diversity of the US, he stated that he doesn't like to think the country to be a melting pot, but more of a tapestry. In a melting pot, all the ingredients cook together, blend, and lose their individuality. In contrast, a tapestry is made up of several pieces threads, in this metaphor each thread resembling a person or culture. Although the pieces of thread are beautiful in their own way, when bound together to make the single tapestry they form something even more beautiful, without losing the unique beauty and  individuality of each piece of the thread. A truly beautiful sentiment from such a wise man. 


We did not get that much time with the former secretary, but I believe we all left wishing for more time to just sit and listen to his stories. This one man has been through so much. He has been the victim of the wrongdoings of his own country, but still has a burning passion for service to the country he loves so much. The word inspiring does not do him justice. This is why I came to DC.


Stay honest and keep those around you honest, 
- Josh

Norman Mineta