these were business and land owners too prior to the war. they lost everything as they were each handed $25 and a ticket to where ever upon the rather quick closures of these camps in 1945. no compensation was paid for their losses which essentially were catastrophic at the time. in 1988 an event occurred but was in my opinion too little too late:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Liberties_Act_of_1988
Steve,
To put things in international perspective as to race laws and attitudes current at the time, Hitler’s race laws were in large part guided by Southern States laws against negroes. Furthermore, Henry Ford, (yes of the Ford Motor Compant), completely financed Hitler’s study at the Wagner Estate, (and so socializing and strategically bonding with German elite as their future ally and political “ace in the hole”), and paid for the publishing of Mein Kampf in 1925. For decades to come, Hitler was integrated into the Wagner family in
Bayreuth, in the State of Bavaria. The Wagner Festivals were a celebration for all the SS Inner Circle and German aristocracy and industrial leaders. This was a group who simply loved opera! Seems so cultured. Along with devotion to the Briliant Wagner’s Music, Hitler’s racist attitudes were welcome to many admirers in the USA!
So, come to 1945, the internment and disgusting treatment of Native loyal Citizens of Japanese descent was no great departure from normal attitude to “non-white” ethnic groups. At that time, even the Irish Catholics were looked on a scum migrants!
Essentially, “We the People” was assumed to mean, White Anglo Saxon Protestants and other whites who didn’t stir up the anger of those excluded!
I knew of the detention of those of Japanese heritage, but your report here, Steve, is my first intimate tiny glimpse of the cruelty and as you say, ruination of the lives of previously productive and happy citizens!
Thanks for sharing,
Asher