In the spring of 2024, eight ginkgo tree saplings were planted on the Davidson campus between the Library, the Wall Science Center, and Chambers. These saplings, descendants of trees that survived the US military’s atomic bombing of Hiroshima, were donated by Green Legacy Hiroshima to promote awareness about the dangers of warfare. While serving as powerful reminders of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, the ginkgo trees’ symbolism has raised the concern that the project’s focus on the impacts on Japan risks overlooking the broader and more complex history of World War II in the Asia-Pacific.
People from different countries in the region have different historical perspectives on the war, which make drawing a universal lesson from their experiences difficult. The ginkgo trees, therefore, encourage us to discuss these questions: What should we say about the legacies of World War II in the Asia-Pacific region? How can we craft an interpretation that honors the universal suffering caused by war while respecting the diverse ways nations and individuals remember this history? By approaching these questions with openness and a commitment to historical nuance, we reflect not only on the past but also on our shared responsibility for shaping a more peaceful future.
Davidson College’s Deliberative Citizenship Initiative invites you to join our Deliberative Forum on Wednesday, March 5th, where participants will first hear presentations from three speakers from Davidson College. Dr. Kristi Multhaup, Vail Professor of Psychology, will share the story of the ginkgo tree saplings and how they came to Davidson. Assistant Professor of History, Dr. Dáša Mortensen, will provide an overview of the history of World War II in the Asia-Pacific and its effects on the region. Dr. Keren Zhu, Assistant Professor of Political Science, will then examine how the war has shaped the collective memories of countries in the region and their relationships with each other today.
After the presentations, attendees at the forum will share their thoughts with each other about the legacies of WWII in the Asia Pacific. Facilitated by the DCI’s trained facilitators, these deliberations will generate ideas for signs and related interpretative materials that will be placed alongside the ginkgo trees on campus, representing the Davidson community’s reflections on the devastation of war and its aspirations for peace.
The event, which is co-hosted with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, East Asian Studies, History, and Political Science Departments, will be both in person in the Lilly Gallery and online over Zoom on March 5 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Find out more about the event and sign up to attend the forum by March 2 at this link. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your thoughts at the event!
Registration is required as dinner will be served as part of the event (from Sabi!). Sign up today as seats are limited!
This event has been planned by a team of Davidson students and faculty, including Keya Zhou ’25, Luna Noguchi ’25, Flo Moser ’26, Romeo Norris ’27, Casey Scheiner ’28, Lily Ogawa ’28, and Dr. Graham Bullock…To learn more about this project, check out the Ginkgo Project overview document below.
DCI-Gingko-Tree-Project-Summary