Although some attention has been paid to the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II, when people of Japanese descent were wrongfully imprisoned in American concentration camps, it is a story unknown to much of the general public. These people suffered from extreme racism and hatred. Survival required hope to bring some light out of the darkness of their lives.
Most of the early immigrants from Japan to the United States arrived in the early 20th century, with some arriving in the late 19th century. They were young singles who came as workers to make a better life for themselves. America was seen as the “land of opportunity” for them where you could have the rich. They were hoping for a chance to find success in this land where it seemed anyone could earn a lot of money by working hard.
Although they faced racism and discrimination in almost every way, they kept their hope alive. At the time, they were not allowed to become United States citizens even though they had made this country their home for decades. Many were able to marry and have families. Their children were US citizens. They emphasized education, and many within the younger generation had earned college degrees. However, racism still plagued them, and it was difficult for college graduates to find meaningful work in their fields of study. Still, they clung to the hope that light would come and conditions would improve.
Then, on December 7, 1941, came the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Immediately, immigrants from Japan who had been leaders within their communities were rounded up by the FBI and jailed. Among those arrested were men who owned small businesses, community group leaders, Buddhist priests and Japanese language teachers. Their families were told little or nothing about where they were being taken.
It was a dark day for all Japanese Americans and their immigrant parents. They were suspected of being the enemy. Immigrant parents thought their children would be safe because they were US citizens born in the United States. As rumors began to circulate about government plans to incarcerate all people of Japanese descent in camps, parents hoped it would only happen to immigrants. They had the belief and hope that the government would not do that to its own citizens.
However, it happened. About 120,000 people of Japanese descent, men, women, and children, were forcibly removed from their West Coast homes and placed in American concentration camps. They were placed in temporary detention centers at racetracks and fairgrounds to camps, which had been hastily built in remote and desolate areas of the country. they were ready to be occupied. Hope was dim for a brighter day.
Japanese American History Told Through a Collection of Speeches and Articles is a book that covers much of that part of American history. Many of the old stories of this group of people are told through speeches and articles that were submitted. The book contains much of the history of Japanese Americans and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), a civil rights organization established to help win civil rights and fight racism.
When darkness comes to life, it is necessary to fight against the light that can come from keeping hope alive and not giving up. Adapting to the changes that arise is essential to find light and success. It may be necessary to make adjustments and change plans along the way. It is not easy to overcome the darkness when it pervades daily life as much as it was for many who were placed in the American concentration camps of World War II. However, hope can bring light and overcome darkness.
Japanese Americans were finally able to achieve success and acceptance after the end of World War II, in large part due to the patriotism and sacrifices of Japanese Americans who served in the United States Army. Most were in the segregated unit of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion.
It took hope and perseverance not to give up and find the light when darkness seemed to prevail. The story of Japanese Americans is one of hope, light, perseverance, and success.