The Injustice of Japanese-American Internment Camps Essay Sample

Imagine getting evicted from your home, losing your job, having your bank accounts closed, having to give up your homes because your bank accounts were closed, and then being imprisoned or interned for a crime you did not commit or have any participation in. This unfortunate event occurs because the American government succumbed to yellow terror hysteria and imprisoned a group of people merely because of their ethnic heritage after the December 7, 1942, attack on Pearl Harbor, even though the detention camps were clearly made because of FDR’s blatant bigotry. The inequity of the Japanese interment camps remains a heinous stain on Americas history among many other.

Everything started following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. In less than 48 hours, 1,291 Japanese Americans were captured because they believed the Japanese were more devoted to Japan than to the United States (History on the net). This injustice persisted in February 1942. The Japanese Americans were imprisoned and deprived of their liberty without due process of law, particularly because their family could no longer support itself. As a result, 120,000 Japanese Americans were wrongfully detained (History on the Net). 1st of May 1942 Nisei writer James Omura writes a letter to a Washington law firm enquiring about engaging their services to seek legal action against the government for infringement of civil and constitutional rights (Japanese American National Museum), as well as reimbursement for economic losses, after voluntarily resettling in Denver. He couldn't pay the $3,500 filing cost because he couldn't afford it. The worst part is that James Omura was unable to pay the filing fee since his bank account had been frozen because of the Japanese posing as a "threat" even though they had been wrongfully convicted. At a press conference on October 20, 1942, President Roosevelt refers to the "relocation centers" as "concentration camps."( Japanese American National Museum) The WRA had long argued that the word "concentration camps" did not adequately represent the facilities. Even though they were forcibly relocated there against their consent. 30 June 1944

When the remaining detainees are moved to Rohwer, Jerome becomes the first camp to close. The year was 1945, and the date was January 2nd.

On the West Coast, relocation limitations have been eased, however there are still a few exceptions. In late 1944, a few carefully screened Japanese Americans returned to the coast. President Harry S. Truman signs the Japanese American Removal Claims Act on July 2, 1948, to recompense Japanese Americans for certain economic damages caused by their forced evacuation. Even though the act was supposed to pay out $28 million, it was mostly in effect President Ronald Reagan signs House Bill 442 into law. Among other things, it includes a $1.25 billion education fund and individual payments of $20,000 to each living interneural, especially in the restricted area in which it functioned. 9th of October 1990 The first nine reparation payments are made in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Rev. Mamoru Eto of Los Angeles, who is 107 years old, is the first to receive his check. This demonstrates that Japanese Americans faced and endured racism for a crime they did not commit, including injustice, regardless of how frequently it was brought up that FDR was wrong.

The large roundup was solely based on the ethnic background of Japanese Americans. Even though it is seldom acknowledged, Fear was the sole basis for the establishment of Japanese internment camps. Inside the camps, the captives were subjected to severe conditions and were mistreated (Cengage Company). The housing situation in which they were forced to reside was deplorable. The structure was never meant to be occupied by humans. Stables and cow enclosures, which were not designed for human use, were regularly observed in these sites. It's unimaginable the living conditions they were forced to deal with. Numerous deaths occurred because of inadequate medical care. Not only that, but the crowded environments made it easy for infections to spread, and they spread swiftly. A total of 1,862 persons died because of this situation. It's unfortunate that their medical treatment was ignored because of a grudge they had with Japan, but the Americans chose to take it out on their compatriots in an immature manner, who were of the same ethnicity as Japan. Furthermore, violence erupted on occasion in these detention camps. Attempts or perceived attempts to flee could result in a fatal shooting. The captives were also subjected to tear gas. Riots erupted because of the overcrowding and frequent food and resource shortages at these relocation sites. Furthermore, violence erupted on occasion in these detention camps. Attempts or perceived attempts to flee could result in a fatal shooting (Cengage Company). The captives were also subjected to tear gas. Riots erupted because of the overcrowding and frequent food and resource shortages at these relocation sites. Some Japanese Americans perished in the internment camps because of poor medical care and the emotional strains they faced. Several people were slain by military guards who were stationed there for allegedly defying instructions. Many more innocent civilians were killed in the sake of ethnic prejudice, they have yet to receive a true apology and justice for what they have through, and it is still tragic that owing to the dying of some of the people in the internment camps, they will never receive it when it should have been delivered to them long ago.

The Japanese were subjected to a brutal treatment in a variety of methods that remain unclear. Particularly when America had the arrogance to claim that it was for "security reasons," citing fears of "Japanese spies." When they were fully aware that this was in violation of the 4th Amendment (rights against unreasonable search and seizure), the 5th and 6th Amendments (right to a grand jury when being held for a capital or infamous crime, and rights to a speedy trial), and the 8th Amendment (cruel and usual punishment). It is saddening to see FDR continuing to do this after violating the amendments, not just one but several of them. This is an example of blatant bigotry at work. The lengths to which they went to create the camps that President Franklin D. Roosevelt established during World War II through Executive Order 9066 are extremely terrifying (History Editors). Yes, President Gerald Ford officially revoked Executive Order 9066 in 1976, and Congress offered a public apology and passed the Civil Liberties Act in 1988, granting $20,000 apiece to nearly 80,000 Japanese Americans as reparations for their persecution (History Editors). Only a 43-year-late and ineffectual apology from the incorrect person was received. To make even a smidgeon of what they went through justifiable, President FDR should apologize. He was the one who authorized the construction of the detention camps, even though it was illegal. The 20,000 dollars they were given was a lovely gesture, but it still doesn't compensate for the lives lost in the camps. Overall, this does not appear to be a case of Japanese Americans receiving justice.