Why the US photographed its own WWII concentration camps
Vox・12 minutes read
During World War II, Shizuko Ina and other Japanese Americans faced forced evacuation and incarceration in the West Coast, documented by Dorothea Lange but censored by the government. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 later provided reparations, with Satsuki Ina's documentary and Lange's photos shedding light on the injustice experienced by Japanese Americans.
Insights
- Shizuko Ina, Satsuki Ina's mother, was forcibly removed and detained during World War II, highlighting the unjust treatment of Japanese Americans by the US government.
- Dorothea Lange's photographs of the Japanese American removal process exposed the true cruelty of the situation, challenging the government's propaganda and ultimately contributing to the acknowledgment and reparations provided by the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
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Recent questions
Why were Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II?
Japanese Americans were incarcerated due to Executive Order 9066, which empowered the US Army to forcibly remove perceived threats after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. This led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans in the West Coast, under the guise of national security concerns.
Who documented the Japanese American removal process?
Dorothea Lange documented the Japanese American removal process, capturing the anxiety and dignity of the people. Her photos, along with others, revealed the true cruelty of the situation faced by Japanese Americans during World War II.
How did the US government justify the incarceration of Japanese Americans?
The US government justified the incarceration of Japanese Americans through propaganda, aiming to portray the removal as necessary and humane. However, photos like those taken by Dorothea Lange exposed the true injustice and cruelty faced by Japanese Americans during this period.
What historical event led to increased suspicion and violence towards Japanese Americans?
The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan led to increased suspicion and violence towards Japanese Americans. FBI agents removed Issei men labeled as "enemy aliens," contributing to the atmosphere of fear and discrimination against Japanese Americans.
What legislation provided reparations to survivors of the Japanese American incarceration camps?
The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided reparations to survivors of the Japanese American incarceration camps, acknowledging the mistake made by the US government in incarcerating innocent individuals based on their heritage. This legislation aimed to address the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II.
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Summary
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Japanese American Incarceration During World War II
- Shizuko Ina, Satsuki Ina's mother, was called to report to a center in San Francisco Japantown during World War II.
- Shizuko was photographed in April 1942, pregnant with Satsuki's older brother, waiting to get her family number for identification during incarceration.
- Japanese Americans, including Shizuko, were instructed to register for "evacuation" by the US Army or face criminal penalties.
- FBI agents removed Issei men labeled as "enemy aliens" after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to increased suspicion and violence towards Japanese Americans.
- Executive Order 9066 empowered the army to forcibly remove perceived threats, resulting in the incarceration of Japanese Americans in the West Coast.
- Dorothea Lange documented the Japanese American removal process, capturing the anxiety and dignity of the people, but her photos were impounded by the government.
- The government aimed to portray the removal as necessary and humane through propaganda, with Lange's photos revealing the true cruelty of the situation.
- Lange's photos, along with others, were impounded by the government, but eventually released to the public, shedding light on the injustice faced by Japanese Americans.
- The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided reparations to survivors of the camps, acknowledging the mistake made by the US government.
- Satsuki Ina's documentary and Lange's photos have helped validate the experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II, emphasizing the importance of remembering history and seeking reparations.
