“It just felt very American. Great beauty and great stories. And also, great tragedy.”
Kori Suzuki for High Country News: https://longreads.com/2025/04/07/the-murder-the-museum-and-the-monument/
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#JapaneseAmericans
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"On my way to the #exhibit that #Trump says revises #history and makes the country look inaccurately #racist, I saw a painting from 1946 called “Frightful New York,” in which the female painter, #HisakoHibi, expressed how jarring it felt to reach the big city after spending three years forcibly incarcerated in an #internmentcamp along with 120,000 other innocent #JapaneseAmericans under orders from a U.S. president. That painting was made 79 years ago, so don’t tell me that we’re rewriting #racism into history, it has always been there."
#smithsonian #censorship
https://web.archive.org/web/20250406015618/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/02/trump-art-corrosive-smithsonian-executive-order/
The Washington Post · What exactly does Trump think is in the Smithsonian?
More than 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated at Manzanar Relocation Center, Calif., during World War II. Playing and watching baseball was one of the ways these Americans tried to retain some sense of normalcy. Dan Kwong is a longtime volunteer at Manzanar, which became a national historic site in 1992 — his late mother, Momo Nagano, was incarcerated there as a teenager. Here's the story of how he built a baseball field at the site in honor of Momo, who wrote extensively about her time at the camp in order that future generations would never forget this piece of history.
Link: https://flip.it/obdTz7
#History #USHistory #InternmentCamps #AlienEnemiesAct @histodons #Baseball #Manzanar #JapaneseAmericans
The Alien Enemies Act was deployed to imprison both citizens and noncitizens during World War II. Survivors have a few things to say about Trump’s abuse of it now. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/03/26/japan/japanese-incarceration-alien-enemies-act/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #donaldtrump #wwii #japaneseamericans #internment #us #venezuela #immigration #alienenemiesact
The Japan Times · Use of wartime powers revives internment camp memories
7.3: They Sent Us to Camp: My Family's Experience of Internment During WWII
If you meet a Japanese American, it’s also a pretty good bet, they probably won’t spontaneously start talking about what they or their family went through, how they feel about it, and how they or their family recovered from the ordeal.
I (Christina) wanted to rectify that by sitting down with my old friend Chie Furuya, whose parents (as tiny children), grandparents, and other family members were “sent to camp”, to ask her about it. The answers and stories she had for me were both fascinating and unexpectedly heartening. Her people are a resilient, cheerful people and I feel like there are life lessons for all of us here, in terms of withstanding and recovering from severe injustice (and coming out on top).
Ariel’s addition to this episode description is to point out that Japanese internment occurred in Canada in the early 20th century as well. We (by which she means Canada, or perhaps so-called Canada, as she likes to call it) aren't some bastion of anti-racism and tolerant plurality (if we ever were). Check out our blog post for links for further edification if you are interested or want to know more about the Canadian side of the story.
Replied in thread
@DemocracyMattersALot Bottom line - What are sane #Americans going to do about this? Will they quietly submit and shuffle off to #concentrationcamps like #JapaneseAmericans in 1942 or will they rise up and fight like colonists at #Lexington in 1775? Do #Americans still have balls or are they too brain dead from cheap beer and ESPN?
Eight Things You Can Do to Stop #ICE
2025-02-11, via #CrimethInc
"The #Trump administration is paving the way for #MassDeportations by building new #PrisonCamps and invoking the #AlienEnemiesAct, which was used to justify the internment of #JapaneseAmericans during World War II. Motivated by nativism and white nationalism, Steven Miller and other officials are attempting to ethnically cleanse the United States, while tech and prison companies profit on lucrative government contracts and corporations continue to exploit immigrant labor. Knowing that mass deportations will inflict devastating costs, Trump has chiefly been concentrating his efforts in cities like Chicago and Denver that are governed by his political adversaries.
"Nonetheless, people are getting organized. Communities across the US are mobilizing rapid response networks that can respond to raids and support those targeted by #StateViolence. Students across the US are staging #walkouts; people are holding mass #demonstrations and fighting back against deportations.
"If we fail to stand in solidarity with those targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today, the same infrastructure of repression will eventually be turned against others, as well. An injury to one is an injury to all!
"Do your part to melt the ICE."
Read more:
https://crimethinc.com/2025/02/11/eight-things-you-can-do-to-stop-ice
#KnowYourRights #ResistICE #Mobilization #USPol #Resistance
CrimethInc.Eight Things You Can Do to Stop ICEThe Trump administration is paving the way for mass deportations by building new prison camps and invoking the Alien Enemies Act, which was used to justify the internment of Japanese Americans duri...
Continued thread
"The Japanese-American internment is now broadly recognized as an American travesty, a horrible mistake made under the duress of wartime that in fact deeply betrayed core American values regarding citizenship and civil rights, not to mention basic decency."
#Trump #immigrants #migrants #deportation #cruelty #ICE #Guantanamo #ConcentrationCamp #gulag #JapaneseAmericans
/9
See also https://davidneiwert.substack.com/p/trumpian-gaslighting-on-deportation
The Spyhop · Trumpian gaslighting on deportation revives century-old racist tropes about immigration
Continued thread
"The last time America built concentration camps to hold a hated and feared minority—in 1941-42, when we rounded up all Japanese-Americans on the West Coast and herded them into 'relocation centers'—it did not work out well. Things will not be any different this time."
~ David Neiwert
#Trump #immigrants #migrants #deportation #cruelty #ICE #Guantanamo #ConcentrationCamp #gulag #JapaneseAmericans
/8
https://davidneiwert.substack.com/p/trumps-mass-deportation-plan-revives
The Spyhop · Trump's 'mass deportation' plan revives America's Japanese-American travesty
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. A clergyman of Japanese ancestry receiving information on the evacuation of persons who will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #California #JapaneseAmerican #Japan #WorldWarII #LG-OBH-5630A #DorotheaLange #JapaneseAmericans #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image shows a black and white photograph dated April 1942 in San Francisco, California. It depicts several individuals gathered closely together during what appears to be an official setting or event related to the war relocation authority's activities.
In the center of the photo is a man wearing glasses and dressed formally in a suit with pinstripes. He has dark hair pulled back neatly and seems to be bending slightly towards someone out of view, possibly engaging in conversation or providing information.
Around him are other men who seem engaged in similar interactions, suggesting that this might have been an event where people were being briefed about their accommodations during the war relocation process. Some individuals appear focused on papers held by one another, indicating a possible exchange of documents related to housing assignments.
The text at the top indicates that it is from San Francisco, California and provides context for what appears to be wartime activities involving Japanese American citizens or those with ancestry connected to Japan who were being evacuated due to internment policies. It mentions an individual receiving information on evacuation details for war relocation centers during World War II.
Additional annotations include a code "LG-OBH-5630A" and mention of the photographer, Long, likely Dorothea Lange given her involvement in documenting this period through photography. The image [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/859/491/946/546/697/original/413e9f8763d5f8d1.jpeg "The image shows a black and white photograph dated April 1942 in San Francisco, California. It depicts several individuals gathered closely together during what appears to be an official setting or event related to the war relocation authority's activities.
In the center of the photo is a man wearing glasses and dressed formally in a suit with pinstripes. He has dark hair pulled back neatly and seems to be bending slightly towards someone out of view, possibly engaging in conversation or providing information.
Around him are other men who seem engaged in similar interactions, suggesting that this might have been an event where people were being briefed about their accommodations during the war relocation process. Some individuals appear focused on papers held by one another, indicating a possible exchange of documents related to housing assignments.
The text at the top indicates that it is from San Francisco, California and provides context for what appears to be wartime activities involving Japanese American citizens or those with ancestry connected to Japan who were being evacuated due to internment policies. It mentions an individual receiving information on evacuation details for war relocation centers during World War II.
Additional annotations include a code \"LG-OBH-5630A\" and mention of the photographer, Long, likely Dorothea Lange given her involvement in documenting this period through photography. The image [...]")
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Residences of persons of Japanese ancestry who are being evacuated from this area. The evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #California #InAction #Kinser #WorldWarII #JapaneseAmericans #America #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Customers buying merchandise in a store operated by a proprietor of Japanese ancestry, during a pre-evacuation sale. The operator, of Japanese descent, will be evacuated and will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #WorldWarII #California #JapaneseAmerican #American #JapaneseAmericans #theUnitedStates #DorotheaLange #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image depicts a bustling store with numerous customers engaged in various activities such as browsing, shopping, and handling merchandise. The setting appears to be during World War II, judging by the date mentioned on the photo which is April 1942. In San Francisco, California, Japanese American customers are present within this establishment operated by an individual of Japanese descent who is facing eviction from their home due to wartime restrictions.
The store seems crowded with goods displayed around and above counters where staff members interact with patrons. The atmosphere suggests a sense of urgency or normalcy amidst the backdrop of impending war-related evacuation policies for people of Japanese ancestry, as indicated by the text on the photo which refers to them being placed in War Relocation Authority centers during their stay.
Notably, an American flag is visible hanging above one side of the store. The overall composition captures a slice-of-life scene with individuals from different walks of life converging within this commercial setting. It serves as historical documentation and raises awareness about wartime racial discrimination and its impact on communities like Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II.
The photograph was taken by Dorothea Lange, who is known for her work documenting various aspects of American history through her photography, particularly focusing on social [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/857/081/437/198/776/original/3e52f2b4689583c1.jpeg "The image depicts a bustling store with numerous customers engaged in various activities such as browsing, shopping, and handling merchandise. The setting appears to be during World War II, judging by the date mentioned on the photo which is April 1942. In San Francisco, California, Japanese American customers are present within this establishment operated by an individual of Japanese descent who is facing eviction from their home due to wartime restrictions.
The store seems crowded with goods displayed around and above counters where staff members interact with patrons. The atmosphere suggests a sense of urgency or normalcy amidst the backdrop of impending war-related evacuation policies for people of Japanese ancestry, as indicated by the text on the photo which refers to them being placed in War Relocation Authority centers during their stay.
Notably, an American flag is visible hanging above one side of the store. The overall composition captures a slice-of-life scene with individuals from different walks of life converging within this commercial setting. It serves as historical documentation and raises awareness about wartime racial discrimination and its impact on communities like Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II.
The photograph was taken by Dorothea Lange, who is known for her work documenting various aspects of American history through her photography, particularly focusing on social [...]")
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. People in front of a store having a close-out sale, prior to the evacuation of the proprietor, of Japanese ancestry. The store is located on Grant Avenue in Chinatown. The evacuees will be housed in a War Relocation Authority center for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #GrantAvenue #Chinatown #California #JapaneseAmericans #WorldWarII #Japan #PearlHarbor #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
Centerville, Calif. Apr. 1942. Icing cauliflower in a refrigerator car for shipment to eastern markets, prior to evacuation of persons of Japanese ancestry from this farming section. The evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#Centerville #Calif #Japanese #WorldWarII #JapaneseAmericans #American #L0G-23149 #DorotheaLange #America #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image depicts a person in period attire, specifically from around 1942 during World War II. The individual is wearing what appears to be heavy-duty work clothes including gloves and a hat or helmet that suggests labor-intensive activities such as farmwork.
They are standing on wooden crates which have signs of wear and usage indicative of storage or transportation containers. In their hands, they hold an object resembling cauliflower which has been frosted with ice suggesting the process is part of preservation for shipment to markets in eastern regions prior to evacuation measures taken due to wartime policies targeting Japanese Americans residing near farming areas.
The photograph carries a caption indicating its context as being related to war relocation authorities during World War II. It notes that people, presumably from this section, would be evacuated and placed in relocations centers across the duration of the conflict. This suggests an attempt at archival documentation or reportage about these events which are part of American history.
The photograph is labeled with a reference number "L0G-23149" possibly indicating its cataloging within a larger collection, while also specifying it as original material from Dorothea Lange (circa 5/76), implying her authorship. The overall composition and content of the image reflect historical significance, capturing an everyday yet poignant moment amidst wartime restri [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/852/280/314/407/229/original/307e80788e285469.jpeg "The image depicts a person in period attire, specifically from around 1942 during World War II. The individual is wearing what appears to be heavy-duty work clothes including gloves and a hat or helmet that suggests labor-intensive activities such as farmwork.
They are standing on wooden crates which have signs of wear and usage indicative of storage or transportation containers. In their hands, they hold an object resembling cauliflower which has been frosted with ice suggesting the process is part of preservation for shipment to markets in eastern regions prior to evacuation measures taken due to wartime policies targeting Japanese Americans residing near farming areas.
The photograph carries a caption indicating its context as being related to war relocation authorities during World War II. It notes that people, presumably from this section, would be evacuated and placed in relocations centers across the duration of the conflict. This suggests an attempt at archival documentation or reportage about these events which are part of American history.
The photograph is labeled with a reference number \"L0G-23149\" possibly indicating its cataloging within a larger collection, while also specifying it as original material from Dorothea Lange (circa 5/76), implying her authorship. The overall composition and content of the image reflect historical significance, capturing an everyday yet poignant moment amidst wartime restri [...]")
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Residents of Japanese ancestry, in response to the US Army's Exclusion Order No. 20, being registered for evacuation and housing in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #theUSArmys #America #ExclusionOrderNo #A-518 #DorotheaLange #USWar #anti-Japanese #WorldWarII #JapaneseAmericans #American #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Owners boarding up windows of their stores on Post Street prior to their evacuation as persons of Japanese ancestry. The evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #PostStreet #Japanese #JapaneseAmericans #WorldWarII #California #Western #American #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. The moving van backing up to the curb to load possessions of evacuated residents of Japanese ancestry, who will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #California #JapaneseAmericans #WorldWarII #ORIGINALFILE #NARA_70 #LODORDE #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
Mountain View, Calif. Apr. 1942. A ranch house, typical of many California rural sections where residents of Japanese ancestry were engaged in truck gardening. They will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#MountainView #Calif #California #Japanese #WorldWarII #JapaneseAmericans #America #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image depicts a rural scene from April 1942 in Mountain View, California. It shows a ranch house with several individuals standing and interacting outside the structure. In front of the building is an extensive garden or farm field filled with rows upon rows of crops, indicating agricultural activity. Clothing lines strung up on posts display garments hanging to dry against the backdrop of the rustic setting.
The black-and-white photograph conveys a sense of daily life in California's rural areas during World War II. The historical context provided by the caption suggests that these individuals are residents of Japanese ancestry who were involved in truck gardening and would later be relocated into war relocation authority centers for their duration at war, as part of U.S. government policy to intern Japanese Americans.
The image is labeled with a heading stating "Mountain View, Calif., April 1942" followed by additional details about the historical context involving Japanese ancestry residents' involvement in truck gardening and subsequent displacement during World War II. The photo also includes an original file note indicating it belongs to US War Relocation Authority No. 64.
The overall composition of this image captures a moment from history, highlighting social dynamics and policies affecting specific communities at that time period through its portrayal of rural life and the personal experiences of those af [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/844/813/095/700/735/original/73831b8baf7b59ed.jpeg "The image depicts a rural scene from April 1942 in Mountain View, California. It shows a ranch house with several individuals standing and interacting outside the structure. In front of the building is an extensive garden or farm field filled with rows upon rows of crops, indicating agricultural activity. Clothing lines strung up on posts display garments hanging to dry against the backdrop of the rustic setting.
The black-and-white photograph conveys a sense of daily life in California's rural areas during World War II. The historical context provided by the caption suggests that these individuals are residents of Japanese ancestry who were involved in truck gardening and would later be relocated into war relocation authority centers for their duration at war, as part of U.S. government policy to intern Japanese Americans.
The image is labeled with a heading stating \"Mountain View, Calif., April 1942\" followed by additional details about the historical context involving Japanese ancestry residents' involvement in truck gardening and subsequent displacement during World War II. The photo also includes an original file note indicating it belongs to US War Relocation Authority No. 64.
The overall composition of this image captures a moment from history, highlighting social dynamics and policies affecting specific communities at that time period through its portrayal of rural life and the personal experiences of those af [...]")
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Husbands of the two women appearing in this picture are being held as dangerous enemy aliens and the wives and children will be evacuated with other persons of Japanese ancestry, and will spend the duration of the war at War Relocation Authority centers
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #JapaneseAmericans #California #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image is a black and white photograph dated April 2, 1942. It depicts two women sitting on steps with several children around them in what appears to be an urban setting. The woman on the left wears glasses, dark-colored clothing, including a coat, gloves, and a hat or cap; she has short hair. She is holding onto one of her legs while resting against a railing. Next to her sits another woman wearing a light-colored dress with stripes and shoes that have white socks protruding from them.
The children around the women vary in age and attire but all seem to be dressed in casual clothing suitable for warm weather, suggesting it might not be cold outside at this time of year. One child on the left is seated next to one woman while another sits beside a kneeling figure; their ages range approximately between three and ten years old.
The background features an urban setting with buildings that suggest a residential area or perhaps close proximity to some institutional building such as a school given its appearance. The photograph has been marked by hand annotations, including date "April 26th '41" at the top left corner followed by various comments regarding the women's situation and context.
These notes mention their husbands being held for alien internment during WWII amidst Japanese Americans being evacuated from California due to wartime policies related to enemy aliens. It indicates that these individuals are part o [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/842/689/916/575/475/original/b09ea0883cd684a3.jpeg "The image is a black and white photograph dated April 2, 1942. It depicts two women sitting on steps with several children around them in what appears to be an urban setting. The woman on the left wears glasses, dark-colored clothing, including a coat, gloves, and a hat or cap; she has short hair. She is holding onto one of her legs while resting against a railing. Next to her sits another woman wearing a light-colored dress with stripes and shoes that have white socks protruding from them.
The children around the women vary in age and attire but all seem to be dressed in casual clothing suitable for warm weather, suggesting it might not be cold outside at this time of year. One child on the left is seated next to one woman while another sits beside a kneeling figure; their ages range approximately between three and ten years old.
The background features an urban setting with buildings that suggest a residential area or perhaps close proximity to some institutional building such as a school given its appearance. The photograph has been marked by hand annotations, including date \"April 26th '41\" at the top left corner followed by various comments regarding the women's situation and context.
These notes mention their husbands being held for alien internment during WWII amidst Japanese Americans being evacuated from California due to wartime policies related to enemy aliens. It indicates that these individuals are part o [...]")
San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Two friends playing a final game while awaiting evacuation of persons of Japanese descent who will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration of the war
#SanFrancisco #Calif #Japanese #California #WorldWarII #SanFranciscos #JapaneseAmericans #DorotheaLange #theUnitedStates #undefined #photography #DorotheaLange
![The image depicts a black and white photograph taken in San Francisco, California during April 1942. It shows two men seated on chairs indoors with various packed items around them, including suitcases and large bags possibly containing personal belongings or supplies for relocation.
One of the men appears to be focused intently on an object he is holding between his hands, while the other man sits in a more relaxed posture, looking away from the camera. The room has wooden floors and contains various pieces of furniture such as tables with items like coffee cups, suggesting it might be part of a living area or common space.
In the foreground are large bags labeled "War Relocation Authority," indicating that these men may have been moved to internment centers during World War II due to their Japanese heritage. The photograph is titled and annotated on its border, mentioning San Francisco's location in California for April 1942 and describing a scene of two friends playing a final game before being evacuated.
The image captures the somber mood of people impacted by wartime policies as they navigate uncertainty about where they will be relocated to during their internment. The presence of household items suggests that these individuals are attempting to preserve some semblance of normalcy amidst displacement and upheaval brought on by government action related to war-time measures concerning Japanese Americans.
The pho [...]](https://mastodon.ozioso.online/system/media_attachments/files/113/837/601/611/603/935/original/9d73f0ad1d9a721b.jpeg "The image depicts a black and white photograph taken in San Francisco, California during April 1942. It shows two men seated on chairs indoors with various packed items around them, including suitcases and large bags possibly containing personal belongings or supplies for relocation.
One of the men appears to be focused intently on an object he is holding between his hands, while the other man sits in a more relaxed posture, looking away from the camera. The room has wooden floors and contains various pieces of furniture such as tables with items like coffee cups, suggesting it might be part of a living area or common space.
In the foreground are large bags labeled \"War Relocation Authority,\" indicating that these men may have been moved to internment centers during World War II due to their Japanese heritage. The photograph is titled and annotated on its border, mentioning San Francisco's location in California for April 1942 and describing a scene of two friends playing a final game before being evacuated.
The image captures the somber mood of people impacted by wartime policies as they navigate uncertainty about where they will be relocated to during their internment. The presence of household items suggests that these individuals are attempting to preserve some semblance of normalcy amidst displacement and upheaval brought on by government action related to war-time measures concerning Japanese Americans.
The pho [...]")