The Japanese Internment Camps
The Not so Comfortable Truth
The Dream
This photo captures a beautiful sky and many homes. This scene is somewhere that I would like to be and I am sure many others as well. The sky lets off a calming and comfortable vibe. The government would love to use this picture to show americans where the Japenese americans were staying.
The Reality
Sadly this beautiful sky scene does not reflect the reality of what the camp grounds look like. When you eleiminate the pretty sky and see what the camps look like it is not nearly as inviting. The camp lookd boring and simplistic. The lanscape no longer looks like somewhere I would want to spend my afternoon. The government would not want this photo surfacing because people may then appose to the idea of isolating the Japanese americans.
The Dream #2
The government told americans that the Japenese children were learning and keeping busy with activities in the camp. The government would love for this photo to leak because these kids look happy and are enjoying themselfs. They also have books which shows that they are keeping up with their studies.
The Reality #2
A lot of kids were not keeping busy and were quite bored. Also The schools were not built for a long time after the Japenese had already moved in meaning the kids were already behind with thier learning. This picture would be a threat to the government. The kids look like they are longing for home and are not enjoying themselves.
The Dream #3
Not only did the government want americans thinking the kids were enjoying themselfs, they also wanted them to think the parents were too. Americans were told that the adults were being productive and having fun from time to time. Picutures like this would support that idea. The government would be totally comfortable sharing this photo with a curious american. The adults playing differeent instraments look like they are enjoying themselves.
Reality #3
By being prodictive the government meant working in feilds. The Japanese had to do hard labor during hot summer days as shown here. The sun is direct and the feilds look as though they go on forever. Working a long day here would leave you thirsty and weak. They were also not allowed to work with the vehicles. This photo captures the americans cleaning up after a day of work from the Japenese.