Where are we now?
"It is unusual to find a former evacuee who has not forgiven the human weaknesses of his fellow white Americans."
-Michi Nishiura Weglyn, Years of Infamy Many former internees do not hold any hostilities against the U.S. government or the people for the events that took place during World War II. "Shikata ga nai" continues to serve as words for Japanese Americans to live by. In their view, the relocation and internment was something that could not be avoided. "Well, of course, Korematsu was wrong. And I think we have repudiated in a later case. But you are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again..."
-U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Just recently, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke about the topic of Japanese American internment in the 1940s. As a Supreme Court justice, he recognizes the wrongfully-made decision regarding the case Korematsu v. United States. On the other hand, he believes that the decision-making that occurred during Korematsu's case is most definitely possible for future cases. |
"Not only was the evacuation wrong, but Japanese Americans were and are loyal Americans."
-President Gerald Ford Many government officials during World War II, and even today, acknowledge the wrongs against Japanese Americans due to the internment. They recognize the fact that the people they interned were loyal citizens who had done nothing wrong to have their rights violated. "I think redress really brought the Japanese American community together in a way that, possibly, nothing else could have....I think this is extremely important, that they did something rather than just sit back and accept it."
-Clifford Uyeda An interesting viewpoint regarding the internment of Japanese Americans is that there was a good outcome from the event. One could say that the Japanese were interned for their own protection from racial prejudice and that their relocation negatively affected them. Others might say that the internment truly brought Japanese Americans together as an ethnic minority in America. |
Even today, museums can be found throughout the United States of America, educating those who take interest in the history of America and its citizens. A number of the internment camps have been preserved to give visitors a more hands-on experience of the conditions and lifestyles in the camps. In many of these preserved camps are remnants of barracks, mess halls, latrines, gardens, and memorial sites that still stand today.
Despite their hardships and the emotional/psychological toll of being imprisoned, Japanese Americans overcame adversity and exceed all expectations. The internment of Japanese Americans now serves as a lesson in American history. The United States is the most diverse nation in the world; there is not just one race within our borders. With the rich diversity comes possible prejudice and racism against certain raises. The Japanese American internment in the 1940s reflects the state of the government then rather than now. Although we still experience racism towards certain groups in America, we are far from specifically targeting an ethnic group even during times of war.
A Violation of Rights
The internment of Japanese Americans proved to be a major violation of rights during the time, and is still considered to be today. These violated rights, which are clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution, include:
The First Amendment
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
While living in the camps, Nissei and Issei were prohibited from practicing Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Shinto. Christianity was highly encouraged in the camps, as well as in the public before the internment.
Prior to the relocation and internment, prohibitions to assemble were put on local hotels and cafes to prevent possible espionage by people of Japanese ancestry. In addition, many Japanese citizens who demanded a redress for grievances due to the internment were sent to isolation camps for "causing trouble." |
The Fourth Amendment
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the FBI began searching the homes of Japanese citizens and seizing their property without just cause or warrants. Many Japanese men were removed from their homes by the FBI without warrants, and items considered to be "contraband" were seized. This included heirloom Japanese swords, short-wave radios, and razors.
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The Sixth Amendment
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense."
Japanese American internees were not informed of the "crimes" they were accused of. There were no trials held for any internee except for those who challenged the government's decision for relocation, such as Korematsu and Hirabayashi.
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The Fourteenth Amendment
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Regardless of their citizenship, all people of Japanese ancestry were relocated to internment camps. Many lost their property, which included businesses and their homes. Without any due process of law, they were sent to internment camps and forced to give up the lives they had. By use of force by the U.S. government, the rights of Japanese Americans were infringed upon and disregarded.
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