Distinguished Professor Kent Ono Featured in KUTV’s Belonging in Utah Segment on Japanese American Railroad Workers

The Department of Communication is proud to share that Distinguished Professor Kent Ono was recently featured in KUTV’s Belonging in Utah series, which spotlighted the untold stories of Utah’s Japanese American railroad workers.

In the segment, Professor Ono discusses the often-overlooked contributions of Japanese immigrants to the development of Utah’s railroads and the cultural erasure many of these workers and their descendants faced. Drawing from years of research in race, media, and Asian American studies, Professor Ono offers historical insights into how these laborers shaped both the physical and cultural landscapes of the American West.

Dr. Ono's work helps ensure that these important narratives are not lost and underscores the importance of comprehensive storytelling in media and education.

Watch the full segment and learn more about this meaningful piece of Utah history:

Belonging in Utah: Utah's Japanese Railroad Workers