different situation.In a news reel from 1942, reported by Milton Eisenhower, these camps of“untamed” lands and “pioneer communities” seemed like ample opportunities for theJapanese-Americans which were being moved there. The government was depicted asworking quickly to provide safety for Japanese descendants from the war-affectedAmericans that may become violent towards them, and that they were busy ensuring thatthe Japanese had everything that they would need for as long as they were there. TheJapanese were depicted as “curious” about their new surroundings, though the filmshowed rather frightened-looking humans with slumped shoulders and withdrawn souls. Nothing about them looked curious, however I’m sure some were - regarding when theycould go home again.The government, particularly Milton Eisenhower in this film, portrayed the role ofthe ‘good guy,” the protector, the provider, the safe-haven, for both its native citizens andthose of Japanese descent. They explained the “relocation” as a method of eliminatingthe opportunity for sabotage, because the Japanese had settled around many navy basesand seaports, allowing ample opportunities to spy upon the U.S. plans, and, if desired, toreport them back to Japan. This solution provided protection for the entire West Coast, ifnot the entire country, from secret attacks from Japan due to secret information relayed tothem from a Japanese person in the United States. This also provided protection to theJapanese from the Caucasian citizens in the U.S.. In case of hostility and violence, theywould be safe from any racial attacks due to the war at hand.But was the “relocation” not a racial attack? What exactly was the basis for“imprisoning” only the Japanese descendants when we were also at war with Italy andGermany? DeWitt did address the concept of all “enemy-race” internment, or rathe...
