Why the US photographed its own WWII concentration camps

Summary

This video tells the story of the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, focusing on Satsuki Ina’s personal family history. Through the lens of Dorothea Lange’s photographs, it explores the dehumanizing process of removal and imprisonment. Lange’s powerful images, often suppressed by the government, reveal the fear and dignity of those affected. The narrative also touches on the eventual reparations and redress for the survivors, culminating in the acknowledgment of the injustice done. Satsuki’s reflection on her mother’s experience ties together the human cost of this history, offering a poignant reminder of the impact of racial prejudice and government actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The photo of Shizuko Ina, Satsuki Ina's mother, taken in 1942, shows her waiting in line to be assigned a family number at a Japanese American internment center.
• 😀 Satsuki Ina was born in the Tule Lake concentration camp during World War II, one of the 120,000 Japanese Americans interned during the war.
• 😀 The US government, under Executive Order 9066, forcibly removed Japanese Americans from their homes, despite their citizenship, and placed them in concentration camps.
• 😀 Dorothea Lange, a renowned American photographer, captured the emotional and dehumanizing experience of Japanese Americans being removed from their homes and interned in camps.
• 😀 Lange's photos were censored by the government, with many labeled 'impounded' due to their portrayal of the hardship and vulnerability of Japanese Americans.
• 😀 The US government framed the internment as a necessary and orderly process, but the true impact was hidden from the public through propaganda and photo censorship.
• 😀 Executive Order 9066 led to the internment of Japanese Americans in camps that included makeshift facilities like racetracks and horse stalls.
• 😀 The 'fifth column' myth, created by the government and media, portrayed Japanese Americans as a threat to national security despite no evidence of sabotage or espionage.
• 😀 Lange’s photos, alongside other visual documentation, eventually helped expose the truth about the internment camps and contributed to the redress movement for Japanese Americans.
• 😀 The US government acknowledged the mistake of internment in 1988, when President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, offering reparations to surviving internees.

Q & A

What event led to the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II?

The bombing of the US Navy base at Pearl Harbor by Japan in December 1941 led to the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans. This attack fueled public fear and suspicion, contributing to the government's decision to imprison Japanese Americans in concentration camps.

What was Executive Order 9066 and how did it affect Japanese Americans?

Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in February 1942, authorized the US Army to forcibly remove and intern any individuals deemed a threat from 'strategic military areas,' which specifically targeted the entire West Coast. It resulted in the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were US citizens.

Why were Dorothea Lange's photographs of Japanese American internment impounded by the government?

Dorothea Lange's photographs were impounded because the government felt her images depicted the true suffering and dehumanization of Japanese Americans during their forced removal and incarceration. Lange's candid style of photography contrasted with the government's desire to present the internment as orderly and humane.

What is the significance of the word 'impounded' written on Lange's photos?

'Impounded' was written on certain photographs taken by Dorothea Lange to indicate that they were withheld from public circulation. These photos were considered problematic by the War Relocation Authority (WRA) because they showed the harsh realities of Japanese American internment, including the presence of armed soldiers and the emotional distress of the detainees.

What role did propaganda play in the internment of Japanese Americans?

The government used propaganda, including films, pamphlets, and photos, to justify the internment of Japanese Americans. These materials portrayed the relocation as orderly and necessary, despite the fact that it was rooted in racial prejudice and fueled by unfounded fears of espionage.

How did the internment camps affect Japanese Americans like Satsuki Ina's family?

Satsuki Ina's family, like many others, suffered significant emotional and physical hardship during their time in the internment camps. They were forcibly removed from their homes and businesses, placed in overcrowded, makeshift facilities, and subjected to dehumanizing conditions. For example, Ina's pregnant mother had to endure being housed in a horse stall at a racetrack while waiting to be moved to a permanent camp.

What was the impact of Dorothea Lange's photography on the public understanding of Japanese American internment?

Lange's photography played a crucial role in revealing the true nature of the internment camps and the injustices faced by Japanese Americans. Her images, though suppressed for years, later helped raise public awareness and contributed to the movement for redress and reparations for the victims of internment.

What was the significance of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act signed by President Ronald Reagan?

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988, signed by President Ronald Reagan, offered formal apologies and financial reparations to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. It acknowledged the government's wrongs and sought to provide justice for the survivors and their families.

How did the release of Dorothea Lange's internment photos in the 1970s affect public perception?

The release of Lange's internment photos in the 1970s helped validate the experiences of Japanese Americans, revealing the harshness and injustice of their internment. The photos were featured in the 'Executive Order 9066' exhibit and documentary, contributing to the growing recognition of the need for redress and reparations.

What role did Dorothea Lange's style of photography play in conveying the emotional impact of the internment?

Lange's photography was deeply impactful because of her ability to capture the emotional and human aspects of the internment experience. She focused on the distress, anxiety, and dignity of the internees, often highlighting their resilience and humanity in the face of dehumanizing circumstances.