Chapter 11-Japanese Camps

One part of chapter 11 that stood out to me pertained to the section on Asian Americans. The impact of World War II on Japanese Americans and their forced detention in concentration camps was most certainly huge—not to mention an unfathomable action and gross embarrassment in American history. These American-made-and implemented camps were the result of mass hysteria surrounding the presence of those of Japanese descent residing in the country; following, of course, the attack on Pearl Harbor. There are many aspects to this whole scenario that are worth acknowledging. For one, I was surprised to learn that the great majority of those sent to the camps were actually born in America—they were American citizens! It’s outrageous to think about how quickly, nonchalantly, and unabashedly these people were shipped off to concentration camps; no qualms whatsoever.  Clearly, the wartime climate combined with mass hysteria, propaganda, etc. was sufficient for such a terrible action to manifest. Secondly, the government helped “justify” their actions by claiming that it was in everyone’s best interest and safety. On the one hand, the idea was that Japanese Americans could not be trusted not to be potential spies, while on the other hand, the detention camps would help “protect” detainees. Interestingly, the only spies identified were Caucasians. (source:  http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW2/japan_internment_camps.htm)  

I investigated the topic a bit, independent of the book, and was surprised to also learn that of those sent to camps, a whopping half of them were children. Indeed the idea of sending anyone to camps is despicable, but the thought of sending so many little kids seems to only compound the terribleness factor. And it’s scary to think about how fast the decision came about and how quickly the evacuation of those taken to camps occurred; most had about 48 hours’ notice. They weren't allowed to bring much with them either. They had to surrender their lives as they knew them; their homes, jobs, life. Conditions at these camps were dreadful, too.  Health care was poor, and people lived in barracks with communal facilities. I find this incredibly demeaning and enraging.

The government’s abrupt and propaganda/hysteria fueled decision to implement the camps is unsettling, partially because it makes one wonder if a similar sort of shocking decision could happen again.; not necessarily in the form of detention camps, but in some other way. Why couldn't it? At that time America’s principles of supposed equality and due process of law and such were in place; at least they were supposed to be or were superficially. Yet, in the uncertain, frightful times of war, rationality and rules (laws) can be turned upside down in a minute’s notice. Could something like this (not necessarily the same exact scenario) happen again?

On a final note, I found it interesting how World War II changed the situation of the Chinese in America. Once so strictly forbidden to become citizens, they were finally permitted to become ‘real’ immigrants with the relinquishing of the Chinese Exclusion Act. When considering this as well as other immigrant groups, it’s interesting to note how, through much of what we've learned so far, the government has had a less-than-noble way of selecting (or not selecting) the ratio of specific immigrant groups in this country.