What strikes me, not only in this book but in numerous accounts of experiences in Japanese internment camps, was the ability for the Japanese-Americans to make this into the least negative experience they possibly could. The conditions were clearly terrible-- no air conditioning or heating, no privacy, and no freedom. And the idea that even if there was a way to escape, what would they have left? The government had taken their hard-earned money and homes... and of course, facing the hatred of American society.
But as is recorded in Okubo's book, the Japanese-Americans worked hard to develop a place for themselves within the walls they were trapped in. They created schools and churches, fell in love and got married, had dance parties and parades, and found things they could do with what they had. Reading such things reminds me of the power of staying positive.
Okubo stresses in her preface that people of all ages need to be educated about this unfortunate event in American history, and learn from it. Hopefully, this would help it from ever happening again. I completely agree with her statement that "some form of reparation and an apology are due to all those who were evacuated and interned."
I hope you enjoyed my last post of June!
Until next time,
justajae