Tavia Tamayo Zepnewski

Student Art Contest: Senior Division, Honorable Mention

11th Grade – Bend Senior High School, Bend, OR

As a Japanese American, I feel deeply connected to my heritage and the history of my community. My grandmother grew up in Japan during World War II. Through her stories, I’ve come to understand the lasting impact of war, discrimination, and resilience on Japanese people both in the U.S. and abroad. Her experiences, along with my cultural background, have shaped my perspective on justice and the importance of standing up for human rights.

My piece is inspired by Minoru Yasui, who courageously challenged the unjust curfews placed on Japanese Americans during the war. His activism helped pave the way for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, granting reparations to wrongfully incarcerated people. His fight for justice took decades of advocacy, resilience, and courage.

My Japanese lantern represents both struggle and resiliance. The words dignity, justice, freedom, and hope reflect what activists like Yasui fought to restore. The bamboo represents strength, the cherry blossoms remind us that injustice, like the seasons, can change, the koi fish symbolizes perseverance, and the butterflies reflect transformation and liberation. The barbed wire represents the struggle—the barriers of discrimination that activists worked to break through. Hanging inside the lantern, the origami paper cranes symbolize peace, reminding us that justice is not just about resistance but also about creating a better world.

Minoru Yasui’s legacy proves that standing up against injustice, even when its difficult, creates real change. Activism lights the way forward, like a lantern shining in the darkness. Through my artwork, I hope to honor those who fought for civil rights and inspire others to keep their light burning.