Japanese Internment Essay Research Paper Japanese Internment

Japanese Internment Essay, Research Paper

Japanese Internment: Will We Ever Know The Truth. Would The Truth Make It Moral.

In 1942, 120,000 Japanese-Americans were “relocated” to areas far from their

homes, out of the fear the United States Government held inside their hearts. Japan had

just bombed Pearl Harbor. Many of the U.S. seaport areas on the West coast were

inhabited by Japanese-Americans. General DeWitt provided a “security plan” for both

United States citizens (Caucasian) and the Japanese-Americans…or so it was stated.

However, when seeking the fine details of this incident, will we ever know the absolute

truth. The Official Government documents drastically contrast the first-hand accounts of

what it was like in those “Pioneer Communities.” Each source changes the story behind

the Japanese-American Internment slightly. Can truth truly exist once it becomes a part

of the past. By looking at both governmental and personal accounts of the Internment,

only small similarities carry throughout.

In the “Instructions to All Persons of Japanese Ancestry,” John L. DeWitt,

lieutenant general of the Western Defense Command, posted on April 30th, 1942,

instructed all Japanese descendants, whether born inside or outside of the United States

that they were not to change residences after 12:00 PM on this very day, and that all

would be evacuated from their homes no later than May 7th, 1942 – only one week later.

There were no reasons behind this “evacuation,” and there were no explanations as to

what was going to happen after such an evacuation. Thorough plans for preparation were

provided, such as the offering of assistance from the Civil Control Station to help sell or

dispose of all personal or business property, and to provide temporary residence for all

Japanese in family groups. The instructions on this evacuation were very precise, and did

not allow for any compromise:

“THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE OBSERVED:

…2. Evacuees must carry with them on departure for the Assembly Center, the following

property:

(a) Bedding and linens (no mattress) for each member of the family;

(b) Toilet articles for each member of the family;

(c) Extra clothing for each member of the family;

(d) Sufficient knives, forks, spoons, plates, bowls, and cups for each member of

the family…

As is obvious, it seemed the government had a very specific plan in mind for these

thousands of Japanese-Americans. But no reasoning was offered to the victims of this

plan. Each citizen and “alien” (Non-American born Japanese were not allowed to

become citizens – evidence of previous racism against those of Asian background) were

expected to fully accept and obey what the government had expected of them. Most of

them did. It was a trust of the government – it was the center of everything, and the

President and his men held a great deal of respect – and the government officials must

have had sufficient reason for doing such a thing to it’s people. We know now that this

“relocation and evacuation” was immoral, deceitful, and practically criminal. But in the

1940’s, it was somehow accepted.

The instructions also included, not just what they were to bring, but also what

NOT to bring. “No pets of an kind…no personal items and no household goods….” The

government only allowed for the Japanese-Americans to bring necessities. Nothing that

would provide them with any of the comforts of home. Perhaps some thought the

government would provide them these sorts of amenities once they arrived wherever it

was that they were going. But they left it all behind.

It is easy to look into this occurrence now, with hate and wagging fingers,

knowing that even the government which initiated such a situation has taken blame and

admittance for such a wrongdoing. In the eyes, minds, and hearts of those involved in the

situation and around it, it must have been a very different situation.

In a news reel from 1942, reported by Milton Eisenhower, these camps of

“untamed” lands and “pioneer communities” seemed like ample opportunities for the

Japanese-Americans which were being moved there. The government was depicted as

working quickly to provide safety for Japanese descendants from the war-affected

Americans that may become violent towards them, and that they were busy ensuring that

the Japanese had everything that they would need for as long as they were there. The

Japanese were depicted as “curious” about their new surroundings, though the film

showed rather frightened-looking humans with slumped shoulders and withdrawn souls.

Nothing about them looked curious, however I’m sure some were – regarding when they

could go home again.

The government, particularly Milton Eisenhower in this film, portrayed the role of

the ‘good guy,” the protector, the provider, the safe-haven, for both its native citizens and

those of Japanese descent.

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