Letter

The letters to Violet were very interesting to read as they gave a first-hand look into the experience of Japanese Americans. A lot of the same struggles that we have read about, show through some of the details in these letters. In the letters, we hear of the struggles of the internment camps and we see the correlation some of these events have with scenes from our text. For example, when the Japanese received evacuation notice they had six days to dispose of all their belongings. They were “allowed to take only what they could carry, evacuees had to sell most of their possessions” (Takaki 393). In the internment camps, because they could bring only what they could carry, a lot of times, they would have to get things sent to the camps. Amy wrote and sent money to Violet trying to purchase furniture and a sewing machine. It was very difficult and complicated for many of these Japanese Americans to get the things they needed.

While analyzing the letters, we discussed the troubles of getting out of the camps, as well as, the questionnaires the Japanese had to fill out. Moving out of the camps was very hard for many Japanese Americans. They had lost much of their old property and was under strict order to be ‘“scattered,” for they should not be permitted to “discombobulate” American society” (Takaki 404). This shows the negative view the president, as well as, majority population felt about the Japanese Americans. They faced harsh judgement and were forced to move to new places across the country so they would not rebuild their old communities. We talked about how Amy’s husband nearly answered no-no to the two questions. The section, “No-No Boy” from our book Bold Words talks about how these men were affected after the war. The men who answered no-no often faced harsh criticism by Americans, including Japanese Americans. They were hard pressed to find jobs and make a life for themselves in America after the War. It was very interesting to read some first-hand accounts of the things as we cover them through text.