Japanese Internment Memorial Essay

The Japanese internment took place in 1942 when over 100,000 of Japanese Americans and Japanese were housed in what were "War Relocation Camps" in fear of a West coast plot against America from people with Japanese ancestry. Many political figures questioned their loyalty to the country, even though 62 percent of the people interned were American citizens. And although Ronald Regan came out and apologized about the incident, the emotional impact it left on the Japanese could not be mended. Ruth Asawa was one of the victims of the internment camp where she learned to hone her anger and sadness and projected it onto her artwork. She created the Japanese internment memorial artwork which is now displayed in San Jose, Calif. where people from all over the world come to see it. Her artwork shows the many perspectives of the victims involved in the Japanese internment camp of 1942.

This picture shows how the Japanese were housed in stables where horses would stay and although the horses were not actually there at the time, this comparison depicts the Japanese being treated like animals.

Even though they were marginalized from society, the Japanese interns built a community which they shared the burden of labor and the empathy of compassion.

 This picture really moved me because it seemed ironic to have a military man with a gun presiding over a family. I think the internment camp lead to the destruction of the family unit because of difficult times and separation from the people we most loved.

Many Japanese Americans were displaced to San Jose, Calif. and even SJSU played a part with the Japanese interns where Uchida Hall was once a transfer point for Japanese Americans to be registered and taken to other places across the west coast. It seems strange to attend  a university where so many people experienced suffering and pain, and although that is in San Jose State's past, there is still a certain guilt I feel being here. I have a class in Uchida hall and now whenever I go in there, I can no longer look at it the same. It is tragic what happened to the Japanese people during 1942, but the legacy of Ruth Asawa and her art display will forever educate the minds of others and touch the hearts of her fellow interns.