They Called Us Enemy

by

George Takei

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on They Called Us Enemy makes teaching easy.
Ford and Chevy are two brothers that George and Henry meet at Camp Rohwer. Ford is about 13; Chevy is a bit younger. Together, they play a trick on George and Henry by giving them a magic word that, when shouted at the guards, will supposedly cause the guards to give the speaker whatever goodies they ask for. However, George learns later that the magic word—sakana beach—actually just sounds like “son of a bitch” with the right inflection. Following this incident, Daddy and Mama warn George and Henry to stay away from Ford and Chevy.
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They Called Us Enemy PDF

Ford and Chevy Character Timeline in They Called Us Enemy

The timeline below shows where the character Ford and Chevy appears in They Called Us Enemy. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
They Called Us Enemy
Racism and War Theme Icon
Family, Community, and Trauma Theme Icon
One day, two older brothers named Ford and Chevy approach George and Henry. Ford asks George if he wants to learn a... (full context)
Family, Community, and Trauma Theme Icon
George’s eyes grow huge. As Ford and Chevy giggle, he imagines candy raining down around him. He asks again for the... (full context)
Family, Community, and Trauma Theme Icon
...wants and then say “sakana beach” quickly. Henry asks him to get bubble gum, and Ford warns him that if he says it wrong, the guards will get angry and might... (full context)
American Democracy and Civic Engagement Theme Icon
Family, Community, and Trauma Theme Icon
...bad words in English, words that George and Henry should never use. He says that Ford and Chevy are bad for teaching them the words and they should be avoided. George... (full context)
American Democracy and Civic Engagement Theme Icon
Family, Community, and Trauma Theme Icon
...up, he hears jingle bells. Santa bursts into the mess hall and asks each child—including Ford and Chevy—if they’ve been good. Henry and Nancy Reiko stare up at Santa with big... (full context)