Stretching from California’s southern border to northmost tip of Washington state, One Book, One Coast (OBOC) is a brand-new, multi-state community reading initiative that brings readers together around a shared book, sparking conversation, programs and reflection across the West Coast.
One Coast. One Book. Many Voices.
Our inaugural selection is They Called Us Enemy, a graphic memoir by George Takei that recounts his childhood experience of incarceration alongside more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent, most of whom were U.S. citizens, following Executive Order 9066 in 1942.
Read along March-May 2026 and join the programs and discussions it inspires.
What happens when fear and prejudice become government policy? In They Called Us Enemy, George Takei shares his childhood experience of being incarcerated with his family in U.S. camps during World War II. Told through the graphic memoir format, the book follows Takei from early childhood to his later understanding of what it meant to lose his home, freedom, and civil rights. Clear, powerful, and deeply human, They Called Us Enemy connects personal memory to American history, showing how injustice leaves lasting marks on individuals, families, and communities.
"Moving and layered... Takei challenges Americans to look to how past humanitarian injustices speak to current political debates. Giving a personal view into difficult history, [They Called Us Enemy] is a testament to hope and tenacity in the face of adversity." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
George Takei is a renowned civil rights activist, social media icon, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned over six decades. Best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, Takei has appeared in more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television episodes. He has leveraged his public profile to champion social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. Takei’s advocacy is deeply personal. As a child during World War II, he and his family were among the 125,000 Japanese Americans unjustly imprisoned in U.S. incarceration camps—a formative experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to civil rights and public service. Currently, Takei serves as chair emeritus and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Japanese American National Museum. He was appointed to the Japan-United States Friendship Commission by President Bill Clinton and, in 2004, was honored by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his significant contributions to U.S.-Japan relations.
Showcase Event: George Takei, They Called Us Enemy
Discover the story behind They Called Us Enemy with actor, author, and activist George Takei. Takie reflects on his childhood experience in U.S. incarceration camps during World War II and discusses the lasting impact of this history today.
May 31, 2-4 p.m., Virtual Event streamed from LA County Library
Related Events
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Learn the traditional art of origami while exploring the history and meaning of paper cranes as symbols of peace, hope and healing.
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April 11, Night of Ideas, 7-9 p.m., 3rd Floor
Book Club: George Takei's They Called Us Enemy
Discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei.
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Panel: Remembering Japanese American Incarceration and Exploring Resources
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Film: Rabbit in the Moon
Watch Rabbit in the Moon, an acclaimed documentary that examines the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II through personal testimony, family history and political reflection.
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Author: George Takei, They Called Us Enemy — Community Livestream Viewing
Watch the livestreamed conversation with actor, author, and activist George Takei about his graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy.
May 31, 2 p.m., Main Library, Chinese Center