Irene Nakahara, a third-generation Japanese American, reflects on the drastic changes wrought by Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II. Despite being peaceful citizens, over 125,000 individuals faced incarceration in camps, leading to significant financial losses and disruptions to their lives. Nakahara and her family were sent to Heart Mountain and Tule Lake camps, experiencing harsh living conditions that contrasted sharply with their previous lives. Ultimately, they returned to Japan, and Nakahara felt the weight of lost opportunities in education and independence due to the upheaval.
"On February 19, 1942, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt passed Executive Order 9066, condemning 125,000 Japanese Americans to relocation and incarceration at camps around the country."
"The incarceration decimated Japanese Americans. Their homes were repossessed, their businesses were destroyed, and their personal property - worth $400 million - was taken over and never recovered."
#japanese-american-history #world-war-ii #incarceration-camps #executive-order-9066 #cultural-impact
Collection
[
|
...
]