Who are you?

TL;DR

Lawrence H. Trod shares his experiences as a European Jewish immigrant in Shanghai during WWII and his life in the US.

Transcript

okay well my name is Lawrence H trod I was born uh really a couple of months before Pearl Harbor my father had come um from an little town near Minsk Poland to Harbin when he was very young my mother had been born in Harbin and uh was considerably younger than my dad they were married there in 1940 went to Shanghai in uh 1941 where I was born in Oc... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏤 Shanghai served as a refuge for European Jewish immigrants during WWII.
• 😇 Internment in Japanese concentration camps impacted innocent civilians like Lawrence's father.
• 🛟 Cultural assimilation challenges were evident during Lawrence's transition to life in the US.
• 🖐️ Family support played a crucial role in Lawrence's upbringing and values.
• ❓ Lawrence's promise to his grandparents showcases his sense of responsibility and compassion.
• ❓ The journey from Shanghai to the US highlights the complexities of immigration and adaptation.
• ❓ Overcoming language barriers is a significant aspect of Lawrence's immigrant experience.

Questions & Answers

Q: What motivated Lawrence H. Trod's family to migrate from Poland to China?

Lawrence's family migrated to escape persecution and anti-Semitic violence, seeking a better life in a more hospitable environment during the WWII era.

Q: How did Lawrence's father end up in a Japanese concentration camp in Shanghai?

Lawrence's father, being an American citizen, was interned in a Japanese camp due to his citizenship status amidst the wartime tensions between the US and Japan.

Q: How did Lawrence adapt to life in the US after leaving Shanghai?

Lawrence faced language barriers, teasing for his Russian accent, and navigated cultural differences as he transitioned to life in San Francisco and later pursued his education at Harvard.

Q: What were the key milestones in Lawrence's journey from Shanghai to becoming a Harvard Law professor?

Lawrence's journey included overcoming language barriers, adapting to a new culture, pursuing a legal career, and dedicating much of his life to academia at Harvard Law School.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lawrence H. Trod recounts his family's migration from Poland to China to escape persecution, their time in Shanghai during WWII, and his father's internment in a Japanese camp.

• Growing up in Shanghai, Lawrence refused to learn English, had a supportive extended family, and made a promise to his grandparents.

• After immigrating to the US, Lawrence struggled with language barriers, faced teasing for his Russian accent, and eventually pursued a career as a Harvard Law professor.