Memorial Assignment

Imagine living life as a citizen of the United States when one day you’re your life is stripped of you. You are forced to leave your home, your belongings and potentially your loved ones. This was reality for 62 percent of Japanese Americans in the 1940’s. In fact, approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned during this time. While many have heard of the Japanese internment many do not realize why it occurred and to what extent it affected U.S. residents. During the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were forced into housing facilities.

At San Jose State University, Uchida Hall was used as an internment site. As well, Ruth Asawa has designed the memorial found on Second Street. On this memorial the three areas which intrigued me most was the scene of the family leaving the home, the train scene with soldiers and the general formatting of the structure.

A mother stood sobbing and a father comforts a crying daughter. In the yard lies the families belongings showing signs saying stating that all of the items must go. This was one of the first scenes which exemplified the suffering of the Japanese during this time. As I viewed it I could not imagine the feeling of having everything I owned being taken from me. The artist did a great job of allowing this scene to appeal to anyone. There is a father, a mother, a son and two daughters.

The train scene shows Japanese Americans being shoved into trains that are already full. Families and friends reach for one another attempting to have one last goodbye, as they question when or if they will see one another again. Behind the flocking people stand soldiers with guns held high. This shows the chaos in the lives of the Japanese as the soldiers stand motionless and emotionless.

The construction of this memorial is so intriguing due to the structure and placement of the different scenes. For example, on the first side of the memorial barbed wire loosely hangs along the top. However, on the other side which shows the scenes of suffering the once loose barbed wire is now strung tightly along the top. As well, soldiers and watch towers span the entire height of the memorial while small scenes sit behind it. Through having these large figures it gives the feeling of constant surveillance, which the Japanese must have felt at this time.

There is no doubt that cultures throughout history have fought the never ending battle to dominate other cultures. While it has been seen quite obviously through times like the holocaust, I do believe it still occurs. Throughout post 9-11 people of many cultures experienced the feelings of being shunned in society. While a culture may not have been sent to camps or forced to designated living areas, many felt the need to prove themselves as Americans. Most may not view these feelings in a similar fashion, but I do believe it is similar and I have no doubt that something of this sort will happen again.