Ferguson on World War II Relocation Camps
In response to “Reopening Wounds, Revising History,” (editorial, Aug. 28):
On Dec. 7, 1941, when I was delivering the Seattle Times on my route on the north end of Bainbridge Island, Wash., I heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor. About 10% of the island’s population were of Japanese descent.
For the next few months, there were some isolated instances reported where some racists, fortified by too much beer, tried to harm the Japanese or their property. Meanwhile, the Japanese maintained as low a profile as possible. The only security that was endangered was that of the Japanese, not of the nation. We were also at war with Germany and Italy. It is a prima facie case. The difference was racial.
Perhaps Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) believes “it is simply untrue that Japanese-Americans were interned in concentration camps during World War II. . . .” Well, all I know is that one day in the spring of 1942, Japanese made up 10% of our population. The next day, it was zero percent. I exchanged letters with some of my friends at Manzanar, and they told of conditions that might have made Ferguson cry for his mommy (soldiers pointing machine guns at American citizens accused of breaking no law).
Many of the young ones at the camp are now highly regarded businessmen and professionals in Southern California. A high percentage are Republican. Many of those who were of fighting age while in the camp went on to serve in the military with bravery and distinction.
While I hold both the World War II Victory Medal and the Korean Defense Medal, I am willing to recognize this country has a few blemishes on its escutcheon--like decimating Indians and locking up patriotic Americans for the effrontery of having the wrong shape of eyes.
It is beneficial to try to make peace with our souls because, through our silence, we were accomplices in carrying out this evil act. On the other hand, Mr. Assemblyman, it is too soon for a comforting cover-up that the camps never existed. Try again in 100 years.
FLOYD A. OLIVER
Los Angeles