Japanese American Internment Camps
The United States throughout history had many faults in their actions and mindset against minorities. During the era of World War II, there was much distrust and tension between the counties of the Axis Powers. Because of the conflict between the countries, many people of German, Italian and Japanese heritage were treated poorly and disrespectfully at the time. Although, of the three, none were treated as poorly as the Japanese Americans were treated. Of all the many minorities unrightfully treated in the 1950’s, interned Japanese Americans were treated the worst from the public’s view of them, how they they were treated in the camps and the aftermath of their internment.
To be prosecuted for a reason unknown, …show more content…
The sudden transition from their calm and tranquil daily lives to the poor and harsh conditions of the camps was too much to bear for most internees. Upon arrival at the camps, many saw that the camps were located in remote areas, the camps were hastily and poorly put together and housing consisted mainly of tarpaper barracks. Many families were separated as they were put into different camps according to the guards running the camps. Rooms were much too small to house multiple people and all services were communal, leaving no room for privacy in the camps. However, children were allowed to attend schools, run by adults in the camps, and adults were allowed to work for a salary of five dollars a day. Food in the communal mess halls was bland and portions were small, very rarely was there variety in the food. As result of such small portions, many starved to death due to being overworked with such little food intake. Weather conditions in the camps were brutal and harsh, in summer days, the scorching heat was unbearable in the remote, almost desert locations of the camps. On the other hand, winters in the camps were unrelentless, without proper heating or cooling, simple tasks like using the restroom during the most brutal of times was an ordeal all in its own. Because there was inadequate medical care …show more content…
Japanese Americans at this time were wrongfully prosecuted and even more were not compensated nearly enough to atone for the long lasting mental and physical scars that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Although there was countless accounts of racial prejudice in American history, the internment of Japanese Americans is and was among the worse and the most lamentable of times in United State’s history. The treatment of the Japanese prior, during and after their internment was unjust, unlawful and immoral. Basic human rights were violated and not nearly enough was done to compensate for the pain and suffering the Japanese Americans were forced to face. Although, it is questionable what would be an acceptable compensation for such a heinous act, instead, common sense should have taken over and the Executive Order should not have been issued in the first place. Though history can not be rewritten, it is important to learn from past mistakes and remember not to repeat any lamentable mistakes such as the interment of the Japanese
The United States throughout history had many faults in their actions and mindset against minorities. During the era of World War II, there was much distrust and tension between the counties of the Axis Powers. Because of the conflict between the countries, many people of German, Italian and Japanese heritage were treated poorly and disrespectfully at the time. Although, of the three, none were treated as poorly as the Japanese Americans were treated. Of all the many minorities unrightfully treated in the 1950’s, interned Japanese Americans were treated the worst from the public’s view of them, how they they were treated in the camps and the aftermath of their internment.
To be prosecuted for a reason unknown, …show more content…
The sudden transition from their calm and tranquil daily lives to the poor and harsh conditions of the camps was too much to bear for most internees. Upon arrival at the camps, many saw that the camps were located in remote areas, the camps were hastily and poorly put together and housing consisted mainly of tarpaper barracks. Many families were separated as they were put into different camps according to the guards running the camps. Rooms were much too small to house multiple people and all services were communal, leaving no room for privacy in the camps. However, children were allowed to attend schools, run by adults in the camps, and adults were allowed to work for a salary of five dollars a day. Food in the communal mess halls was bland and portions were small, very rarely was there variety in the food. As result of such small portions, many starved to death due to being overworked with such little food intake. Weather conditions in the camps were brutal and harsh, in summer days, the scorching heat was unbearable in the remote, almost desert locations of the camps. On the other hand, winters in the camps were unrelentless, without proper heating or cooling, simple tasks like using the restroom during the most brutal of times was an ordeal all in its own. Because there was inadequate medical care …show more content…
Japanese Americans at this time were wrongfully prosecuted and even more were not compensated nearly enough to atone for the long lasting mental and physical scars that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Although there was countless accounts of racial prejudice in American history, the internment of Japanese Americans is and was among the worse and the most lamentable of times in United State’s history. The treatment of the Japanese prior, during and after their internment was unjust, unlawful and immoral. Basic human rights were violated and not nearly enough was done to compensate for the pain and suffering the Japanese Americans were forced to face. Although, it is questionable what would be an acceptable compensation for such a heinous act, instead, common sense should have taken over and the Executive Order should not have been issued in the first place. Though history can not be rewritten, it is important to learn from past mistakes and remember not to repeat any lamentable mistakes such as the interment of the Japanese