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The Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-bomb Exhibition: Atlanta, Georgia U.S.A.
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In September 2003 (58 years after the bombing of Hiroshima), the A-bomb Exhibition was held at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The exhibition's intention was to illustrate the terror of the A-bomb and to prevent the further use of nuclear weapons; and was organized by Emory University's East Asian Studies Program, Hiroshima City, Nagasaki City, The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic-bomb Museum. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Director Minoru Hataguchi and A–bomb survivor Miyoko Matsubara, myself, attended.
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| Visitors studying exhibits |
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| Visitors folding paper cranes |
The Exhibition ran for two months from September 15th to November 15th, 2003. We stayed in Atlanta for five days, from the opening ceremony on Saturday, September 13th till 17th. The site of the exhibition was the Schatten Gallery, located in the rear corner of the university library. The gallery is a space of about 300 square meters, and was separated into four sections. 48 photo panels and 41 drawings by survivors were displayed. There was also an area set aside for making folded paper cranes. All the displays were very well attended.
The concrete goal of the exhibition was to boost international favor towards the abolishment of nuclear weapons by sharing knowledge of the actual damage, and to express the desire that bloodshed caused by nuclear arms should never happen again. My overall impression of the exhibition was very favorable, due to the addition of new photos introducing the activities for peace by the citizens of Hiroshima.
For 10 years after the bomb, Reverend Tanimoto of the Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church supported survivors such as myself. The A-bomb left my entire body burnt, and I suffered much pain, both physical and mental. Since Emory University is Reverend Tanimoto's alma mater, this wonderful and meaningful exhibition was able to be held on the campus. Just before the opening ceremony, I had the chance to informally chat with some of the professors to whom I had sent an advance draft of my speech. Even though it was our first meeting, I felt we casually understood each other well.
The opening ceremony's address was given by Mr. Gerry Hauk, Emory University vice president and organizer. In his address, he gave tribute to the character and achievement of Reverend Tanimoto. His statements made me feel glad and proud. I was also grateful for the opportunity to attend such an address, that both of us were of a similar mind and that the audience understood Hiroshima's desire for peace.
Next, Director Hataguchi, gave a short speech. He outlined not only the effects of the A-bomb on Hiroshima and Hiroshima's efforts towards nuclear abolishment, but also the historical background and "necessity" of the bomb's use. All of his later lectures were plainly explained and carefully supplemented by using maps.
I spoke of the dire situation under the A-bomb's cloud, and about the mental and physical pain I am even now still suffering, 58 years after the bomb was dropped. I also spoke of my fears regarding the growing chances of a nuclear weapon being used in these tense modern times. Furthermore, I spoke of my frustration that the appeals of the original survivors (who are getting older) do not seem to reach the world; and of my hope that this message would pass to younger generations. Due to Mr. Hataguchi's and my close collaborations regarding our speeches, I felt that the lecture progressed effectively. One particular comment from a member of the audience stood out; that the activities of the survivors in relations to arms reduction were especially important.
We also visited seven schools, from primary to university, in the Atlanta area during our stay and talked to approximately 1,100 students about the damage and experiences of the A-bomb. Question and Answer time was provided at each school. At one university, the scheduled one-hour discussion time overran to two hours.
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| Discussion at a high school in Atlanta on September 15,16 |
Examples of questions we were asked included "Was the bombing right or wrong?". How does the school textbook in Japan explain the A-bombing?", "Do the Japanese blame the Americans for the A-bombing?"
Besides these, there were approximately 40 specific questions on a variety of subjects, including "What do you think the best route for the US to take towards nuclear disarmament?"
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Questions during Miyoko Matsubara (my) exclusive interview with CNN on September 16th.
(1)What part of the exhibition do you want people to be most interested in?
(2)How did you feel when August 6th passed this year?
(3)What do you want the visitors to feel about the A-bomb exhibition?
(4)What do you think of the present world situation?
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My answer to question (4) was as follows:
Today the total amount of nuclear weapons possessed by the seven declared nuclear countries is probably over 20,000. In addition, the number of nations that possess nuclear weapons is still increasing. The force of these nuclear weapons is hundreds or thousands of times that of the A-bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The destructive force, which is estimated by damage in Hiroshima, is enough to massacre all human beings on earth several times over. If such weapons were to be used in a war, humans would surely be exterminated. There would be no winner or loser. Even the perpetrators will be victims. There will be nothing left. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were tragedies that cannot be viewed from the perspective of culprits and the aggrieved. People must learn the lessons taught by HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI in order to have a future. We are living with the continuing possibility of extermination. If we do not remove all nuclear arms from our world, we cannot expect a bright 21st Century.
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| Questions after lectures at Oglethorpe University and other schools: |
- The US tried to force Japan to end the war by bombing many cities in Japan. However, Japan did not surrender. Finally, the US dropped the A-bomb and Japan surrendered, Could we say then that the A-bomb saved many lives?
- Why did the Japanese become friendly toward Americans afterwards?
- How did the survivors live afterwards? Did they form groups and live communally?
- Have the young people of Japan forgotten about the A-bomb?
- How old are children in Japan when they start to be taught about the A-bomb?
- Does the effect of the radiation still remain in Hiroshima?
- How many years did the effect of the radiation remain in Hiroshima?
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