History’s Lessons: 
Treatment of Japanese-Americans during WWII

by Ama F. Shabazz

Excerpts from the article
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A historical dark spot, from which we can learn valuable lessons, is the treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. This order marked the beginning of institutionalized profiling and interment of masses of American citizens of Japanese descent. In the order, President Roosevelt wrote, “The successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises and national defense utilities.” In light of such concerns, he authorized drastic measures; “As President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, whenever he or any designated Commander deems such action to be necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas…from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any persons to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restriction the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion.” He continued, “The Secretary of War is hereby authorized to provide for residents of any such area who are excluded there from, such transportation, food, shelter, and other accommodations as may be necessary…I hereby further authorize and direct the Secretary of War…to take such other steps as he or the appropriate Military Commander may deem advisable to enforce compliance with the restrictions applicable to each military area herein above authorized to be designated, including the use of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies, with authority to accept assistance of state and local agencies. I hereby further authorize and direct all Executive Departments, independent establishments and other Federal Agencies, to assist the Secretary of War or the said Military Commanders in carrying out this Executive Order, including the furnishing of medical aid, hospitalization, food, clothing, transportation, use of land, shelter, and other supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities and services.”

Thus, the mass displacement and internment of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans, including children and the elderly, was authorized and implemented. Out this number, two-thirds were American citizens, and over half were children or infants. Due, simply, to their Japanese ancestry, these human beings were forced into exile within the continental United States and deprived of their “inalienable rights.” The justification that was proffered for such drastic action was that Japanese-Americans, who were born in this country, were suspected, without proof, of being loyal to Japan and disloyal to America. 

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June/July 2003