k2...
Those that were around at the time have a different understanding than those that look at this affair from hindsight. It was not prejudice or bias, it was fear and hatred. The world was in a life or death struggle with the Axis.
The US was well aware of the Japanese behavior in Nanking shortly before. The US feared possible Japanese invasion of the west coast. After the Niihau affair on the very first day of the war, when the Japaanese-Americans turned on their adoptive country, FDR had every right to believe that should the Japanese invade the west, the result would be the same.
The Phillipines, East Indies, Singapore and others learned the hard way. Upon invasion the resident Japanese came out with armbands and supported their brothers. It was all arranged well in advance.
Accepting the only reason for internment as being "prejudice", plays well into the hands of those that wish to portray this country in the worst possible light. It is too simplistic, defies history and well suits the America haters.
Those that were around at the time have a different understanding than those that look at this affair from hindsight. It was not prejudice or bias, it was fear and hatred.
My use of the word “prejudice” was meant to be euphemistic. Prejudice is based on fear and hatred.
After the Niihau affair on the very first day of the war, when the Japanese-Americans turned on their adoptive country, FDR had every right to believe that should the Japanese invade the west, the result would be the same.
I agree “FDR had every right to
believe” whatever he wished.
I still think the Niihau Incident was a pathetic “reason” to constitute the relocation of American citizens of Japanese ancestry on the US mainland.
In 1941, Niihau was still a Territory and was, interestingly enough, the only island to vote against statehood in 1959. The “Japanese-Americans” on Niihau in 1941 could not be considered American citizens in the sense that we think of the term today. Yet somehow I am to believe the actions of such a one (or a few) justifies generalization of all American citizens of Japanese ancestry on the west coast as potential turncoats.
Note that during WWII, the Territory of Hawaii was placed under martial law. The territorial governor declared over 151 “defense act rules,” over 100 "directives" were issued by the territorial director of civilian defense, and 181 "old series" general orders were issued by the military governor (for starters). In addition, “Enemy aliens and Americans of German, Italian, and Japanese ancestry were particularly regulated. These civilians were not allowed to travel without a military pass, buy or sell liquor, assemble in groups, or own firearms, cameras, radio receivers, and numerous other items.”
Source Such action seems reasonable in Hawaii, being that the traitorous acts originated on Niihau.
The Phillipines, East Indies, Singapore and others learned the hard way. Upon invasion the resident Japanese came out with armbands and supported their brothers. It was all arranged well in advance.
While I understand the point you’re trying to make here, I think it’s irrelevant to the discussion at hand, that being: Was it right or wrong to forcibly relocate American citizens simply based on the assumption that their Japanese ancestry might cause them to become defectors?
Accepting the only reason for internment as being "prejudice", plays well into the hands of those that wish to portray this country in the worst possible light. It is too simplistic, defies history and well suits the America haters.
In my post #125 and in this post I’m referring solely to
relocation, not internment.
I think it was acceptable to intern people who behaved seditiously, regardless of their race.
Dictionary.com defines “prejudice,” among other related things, as “Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.” It truly boggles that some would see relocation as something other than “prejudice in practice.”
The intent of my posts on this thread (and elsewhere on FR) has never been to portray the United States in the worst possible light, defy history (?), or suit the America-haters. On the contrary.
Since September 11, we have apprehended American traitors of Middle Eastern ancestry. Should we not begin the process of relocating Americans of Middle Eastern ancestry because their race indicates they may betray the rest of us?