This week in class, we read letters from children in Japanese internment camps.
I’ll be honest, going into it, I was not looking forward to reading the letters. Not because I wasn’t curious or interested, but because I was sure I would be saddened and upset over the depressing things I read about- especially coming from young children. I am happy to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
The letter I chose to read was written by a young Japanese-American girl named Louise Ogawa. The letter was written from an internment camp in Poston, Arizona on September 16, 1942. One of the first things Louise mentions in her letter when describing her current situation is: “This is a wonderful place-way out in the open spaces. It would be paradise if it were not for the dust, heat, and the insects”. The first time I read this sentence, I was shocked! A wonderful place? This young girl had just been forced out of her home and into a new location with thousands of other Japanese Americans, and she’s calling it paradise? I couldn’t believe it. How could someone, especially a child, have that much optimism about such a horrible situation? It made me think back to when I was a young girl. How would I feel? Would I be that positive? Would I have complained more?
Furthermore, Louise goes on to state: “When I stop to think how the pilgrims started their life, similar to ours, it makes me feel grand for it gives me the feeling of being a pure full-blooded American.” I thought this quote was very interesting. Louise seems to be comparing her own situation to that of the pilgrims when they first came to America. As optimistic as that is, I found it to be ironic. When the pilgrims came to America, they were welcomed by the Native Americans. The Japanese-Americans, like Louise, were being forced out of their homes and persecuted by the US government. To me, these two situations seem very different, but for Louise, this thought probably comforted and justified her own situation.
Reading letters from children in Japanese internment camps gave me a new perspective on the topic. I’ve come to a personal conclusion as to why these children could be so positive during a time of such tragedy, and my answer is hope. Louise Ogawa, and other Japanese-American children had positive outlooks on their current situations because they truly believed that things would get better. I believe this is a lesson we could all learn from these children. Having hope can be the light during a time of darkness, and Louse Ogawa is a clear example of this phenomenon.
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