I learned about the Internment Camps in high school back in 1990. I thought Manzanar was so far away. Finally in 2017 I happened to go Mammoth for the first time. Saw the sign Manzanar and had to stop. Was an extremely emotional experience. I was born in El Salvador, fled the civil war and settled in Los Angeles.
Fresno Ca had a big camp. It’s the Fresno fair grounds now. Very close to downtown a place you wanted to live at, now not so much. My Grandfather worked at the camp. They moved from New Mexico to Fresno for work. He was gentle and kind to the Japanese, even helped at night to work on their lands so they’d have something to come back to. 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this video for a couple of reasons. The first reason is the history, although painful, about Japanese-Americans during WWII. The second reason is the powerful photography behind it. I liked seeing the different approaches each photographer had taken to document this very important piece of American history.
Thank you very much. This has been so interesting yet so very, very sad. There is also a very good replica and documentary in 'Little Tokyo' in downtown Los Angeles if you cannot drive out to Hwy 395. Please go.
This episode in our history was nothing short of an abomination; and what makes me just as angry as the why's and wherefor's and who was victimized by it was the utter silence about these "relocation" camps in our history classes when I was in Jr. high and high school in the late 60s / early 70s. Not so far removed from WWII that it wouldn't have figured prominently in the history of America, especially given the attention WWII rightfully received as a conflict. Yet I drove by Manzanar dozens of times as a teenager in our weekly excursions to Mammoth Lakes in the winter without even knowing Manzanar ever existed. THAT infuriates me. It was literally decades before I happened upon the history of Manzanar and the entire "relocation" effort targeted at Japanese-Americans, and quite by accident -- watching one of Huell Howser's "California's Gold" segments in his archives at Chapman Univ. Now that I've gotten better acquainted with this abominable chapter in our history I'm compelled to return to the Owens Valley for one overriding purpose, and that's to walk where these incredible Americans walked, and get a feel for their incredible resilience, self-discipline, and serenity in a circumstance that in _this_ time in our history would bring this nation to its knees. I have such respect and such sorrow for these Americans, and can't help but feel ashamed even though I wasn't around for this ugly time in the world. It shattered a myopic view of our government, that we would be a party to a similar (yet admittedly, vastly less diabolical) mindset that resulted in the imprisonment and extermination of Jews in Germany during the same period.
My Father fought the Japanese had I spent some time in wayside honor rancho...Los Angeles county jail...caught pneumonia... ugh 😫 Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California ✌️
Someday, somewhere in the Universe, a big Scorekeeper will rank civilizations on how they performed in the face of adversity. I reckon some will score a lot higher than others, and in the big game of Survival, some will come out on top. The ones with the most excuses? Well, probably not so hot.
According to his grandson, Toyo Miyatake smuggled in a lens and a back. The documentary fails to reveal what he used for film and how he obtained it (before it was allowed). Answers anyone?
Make no mistake. Manzanar and its like were concentration camps in the classic definition of the term. As wrong as they were in concept, the de facto segregation of Japanese Americans protected them from the murders, lynchings, etc., which would have resulted from the rampant prejudice of "loyal Americans" in their communities. As is was, they mostly suffered from outright theft of their property and business assets which followed the appointment of federal trustees to be caretakers. I grew up in the Pacific NW where there was a large population of Japanese Americans, all of whom were rounded up for the camps. There was a "trustee" assigned in our community, who during the war, stole everything that could be hauled away. Efforts at legal redress against the fellow after the war didn't get to first base, but he was largely avoided in our small community. (There is kama: He was later arrested and convicted as a kiddy diddler, and he later died of untreated STDs.) Given the work ethic of these people, it is no surprise that after the war, they reassembled what they could back in our community and went on to become some of the most successful and respected business men and community leaders. I went to school with their kids, and it is true that it was practically impossible to have a discussion of the internment with them.
I've considered the angle -- which given some of the resentment that still lingered in my adolescence some 30 years after Pearl Harbor -- that these relocations were as much for their own safety and security as the country's at large. As much racism as our society has displayed in its past (and some of its present), that was no idle threat. But either way, whether they were attacked by racists or sent to these camps, they would suffer equally the same result: the deprivation of life, liberty, and property without due process of law. A no-win situation, and despite that, these amazing Americans endured this indignity with grace, resilience, patience, and incomparable self-discipline.
I am surprised that this looks like such a good place to stay taking circumstances into account, compared to everything that was happening everywhere outside of US at the time.
You have to remember that how the camp ultimately looked was completely down to the determination of the internees. There are so many accounts of what the barracks were when they first arrived. There are accounts of wide cracks in the walls of the barracks, the fact the barracks offered little to no protection from the elements, and the fact that plumbing and heating in the first year were unfit for use.
But the military draft did not apply to the Japanese. The were only asked to serve. My family lost three members during WWII. Would my grandmother live in Manzanar for three years to save the lives of her drafted two sons? Heck yes!
What does a Federal Interment Camp have to do with, "Lost LA?" I was born in 1937 and grew up in the 40s during WWII. I was born in South Central and grew up in a broken home. I saw LA when Broadway ended at 120th Street. That's where the 7 streetcar ended. I don't believe a history of Los Angeles should be tainted with anti American BS. I have enjoyed many of the episodes until you go off the Left cliff. BTW, there's a huge difference between a prison camp and an internment camp. My Uncle was in a German POW Camp. He was fed bread made of half sawdust. They didn't give him a Sears Catalog. The Japanese back then were far more pro America then some of you today. God Bless them, it was too bad it happened, but back then even us kids supported what they did. Yes, we were happy they dropped the bomb too.
@Ramen Lover Yes agreed as was my Father In Law, Stanley Kitagowa, he's the one who suggested that after seeing all the non local homeless Trolls running around Venice beach 🏖️🦹
@Ramen Lover My Father In Law eventually was released and joined the Navy, and was an Interpreter and Investigator in WW II, then did something in Korea as well 🇺🇲
I learned about the Internment Camps in high school back in 1990. I thought Manzanar was so far away. Finally in 2017 I happened to go Mammoth for the first time. Saw the sign Manzanar and had to stop. Was an extremely emotional experience. I was born in El Salvador, fled the civil war and settled in Los Angeles.
The resilience, grace, and dignity these Japanese-Americans had shown during this encampment is just incredible... and empowering!
Fresno Ca had a big camp. It’s the Fresno fair grounds now. Very close to downtown a place you wanted to live at, now not so much. My Grandfather worked at the camp. They moved from New Mexico to Fresno for work. He was gentle and kind to the Japanese, even helped at night to work on their lands so they’d have something to come back to. 2021
This episode really got to me. Thanks for this🙏🏻
I thoroughly enjoyed this video for a couple of reasons. The first reason is the history, although painful, about Japanese-Americans during WWII. The second reason is the powerful photography behind it. I liked seeing the different approaches each photographer had taken to document this very important piece of American history.
thank you for this... painful history as well as the other videos
Thank you very much. This has been so interesting yet so very, very sad. There is also a very good replica and documentary in 'Little Tokyo' in downtown Los Angeles if you cannot drive out to Hwy 395. Please go.
Wonderful video piece. Thank you for telling this important story.
This IS the best of all of the videos
Celebrating this as a watershed moment to bring families together is a weird conclusion.
Had a short visit once, need a much longer one. Think all citizens should as a civics lesson
Couldn’t agree more with one of the speakers here that Dorothea Lange’s photos are full of emotion. They’re overwhelming.
Great story tears to my eyes
My grandmother was in a camp during world war 2, on the big island of Hawaii when she was 3 plus years old, because shes Japanese
This episode in our history was nothing short of an abomination; and what makes me just as angry as the why's and wherefor's and who was victimized by it was the utter silence about these "relocation" camps in our history classes when I was in Jr. high and high school in the late 60s / early 70s. Not so far removed from WWII that it wouldn't have figured prominently in the history of America, especially given the attention WWII rightfully received as a conflict. Yet I drove by Manzanar dozens of times as a teenager in our weekly excursions to Mammoth Lakes in the winter without even knowing Manzanar ever existed. THAT infuriates me.
It was literally decades before I happened upon the history of Manzanar and the entire "relocation" effort targeted at Japanese-Americans, and quite by accident -- watching one of Huell Howser's "California's Gold" segments in his archives at Chapman Univ. Now that I've gotten better acquainted with this abominable chapter in our history I'm compelled to return to the Owens Valley for one overriding purpose, and that's to walk where these incredible Americans walked, and get a feel for their incredible resilience, self-discipline, and serenity in a circumstance that in _this_ time in our history would bring this nation to its knees. I have such respect and such sorrow for these Americans, and can't help but feel ashamed even though I wasn't around for this ugly time in the world. It shattered a myopic view of our government, that we would be a party to a similar (yet admittedly, vastly less diabolical) mindset that resulted in the imprisonment and extermination of Jews in Germany during the same period.
Were u like the kids in dazed and confused
My Father fought the Japanese had I spent some time in wayside honor rancho...Los Angeles county jail...caught pneumonia... ugh 😫
Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California ✌️
Someday, somewhere in the Universe, a big Scorekeeper will rank civilizations on how they performed in the face of adversity. I reckon some will score a lot higher than others, and in the big game of Survival, some will come out on top. The ones with the most excuses? Well, probably not so hot.
In comparison to the atrocities Japan committed during WWII, America will do real well.
LA County jail shipped me out there and I got pneumonia!
My hair even hurt!
who else watching this for high school photography class
According to his grandson, Toyo Miyatake smuggled in a lens and a back. The documentary fails to reveal what he used for film and how he obtained it (before it was allowed). Answers anyone?
He had friends on the outside who would smuggle film, paper, and chemicals into the camp for him.
Make no mistake. Manzanar and its like were concentration camps in the classic definition of the term. As wrong as they were in concept, the de facto segregation of Japanese Americans protected them from the murders, lynchings, etc., which would have resulted from the rampant prejudice of "loyal Americans" in their communities. As is was, they mostly suffered from outright theft of their property and business assets which followed the appointment of federal trustees to be caretakers. I grew up in the Pacific NW where there was a large population of Japanese Americans, all of whom were rounded up for the camps. There was a "trustee" assigned in our community, who during the war, stole everything that could be hauled away. Efforts at legal redress against the fellow after the war didn't get to first base, but he was largely avoided in our small community. (There is kama: He was later arrested and convicted as a kiddy diddler, and he later died of untreated STDs.) Given the work ethic of these people, it is no surprise that after the war, they reassembled what they could back in our community and went on to become some of the most successful and respected business men and community leaders. I went to school with their kids, and it is true that it was practically impossible to have a discussion of the internment with them.
I've considered the angle -- which given some of the resentment that still lingered in my adolescence some 30 years after Pearl Harbor -- that these relocations were as much for their own safety and security as the country's at large. As much racism as our society has displayed in its past (and some of its present), that was no idle threat. But either way, whether they were attacked by racists or sent to these camps, they would suffer equally the same result: the deprivation of life, liberty, and property without due process of law. A no-win situation, and despite that, these amazing Americans endured this indignity with grace, resilience, patience, and incomparable self-discipline.
She is a good pitcher.
I am surprised that this looks like such a good place to stay taking circumstances into account, compared to everything that was happening everywhere outside of US at the time.
You have to remember that how the camp ultimately looked was completely down to the determination of the internees. There are so many accounts of what the barracks were when they first arrived. There are accounts of wide cracks in the walls of the barracks, the fact the barracks offered little to no protection from the elements, and the fact that plumbing and heating in the first year were unfit for use.
But the military draft did not apply to the Japanese. The were only asked to serve. My family lost three members during WWII. Would my grandmother live in Manzanar for three years to save the lives of her drafted two sons? Heck yes!
Yes, it was an injustice that they were there, as we are reminded over and over, ad nauseum. It was also war. And war is hell. Sorry; it just is.
but germans and italians living in the u.s. at the time were not subjected to the same treatment. it's hard to deny that this was racial.
Richard Nixon has visited Manzanar
This is why I vote/support LIMITED GOVERNMENT
Clearly this is some kind of history re writing.... There were too many Japanese people to have to tell that they were immigrants instead of natives
All Japanese, native born and immigrant, on the West Coast of the US were put into camps.
Very nice and clean. Good food. But the japanese camps for Americans were hell holes.
They were still in jail for being Japanese. Plus, all of their property was stolen while they were in jail.
WHEN WAS AMERIKKA great ?
What does a Federal Interment Camp have to do with, "Lost LA?"
I was born in 1937 and grew up in the 40s during WWII. I was born in South Central and grew up in a broken home. I saw LA when Broadway ended at 120th Street. That's where the 7 streetcar ended. I don't believe a history of Los Angeles should be tainted with anti American BS. I have enjoyed many of the episodes until you go off the Left cliff.
BTW, there's a huge difference between a prison camp and an internment camp. My Uncle was in a German POW Camp. He was fed bread made of half sawdust. They didn't give him a Sears Catalog.
The Japanese back then were far more pro America then some of you today. God Bless them, it was too bad it happened, but back then even us kids supported what they did. Yes, we were happy they dropped the bomb too.
California should reopen that Camp and put the Homeless there perhaps .
Lol be nice I was just there this past Father's Day very interesting touching place
@Ramen Lover It's economical
@Ramen Lover Truth hurts.... I'm being straight up.... Work will set you free
@Ramen Lover Yes agreed as was my Father In Law, Stanley Kitagowa, he's the one who suggested that after seeing all the non local homeless Trolls running around Venice beach 🏖️🦹
@Ramen Lover My Father In Law eventually was released and joined the Navy, and was an Interpreter and Investigator in WW II, then did something in Korea as well 🇺🇲
overly dramatic music annoying topic is serious enough
You can tell by this narrators voice he is the kind of guy that would help his wife's boyfriend move in!!
What's that have to do with anything?
Your documentary series of L. A. seems to be promoting a lot of left leaning politicking !