changing views
President Harry S Truman and the 442nd, 1946, Harry S Truman Library and Museum
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."
-Executive Order 9981
As Japanese Americans returned home from both internment camps and from their military duties, they found much of their property was damaged or stolen in their absence. After the Nisei soldiers of the 442nd were discharged, President Harry Truman signed the Executive Order 9981, ending the segregation of the armed forces in 1948.
Although the 442nd was highly praised for its war efforts, many Japanese Americans soldiers and civilians still faced discrimination. |
"I don't want none of their business. They might close me up but I sure as hell won't work for a Jap.
-Andy Hales after denying service to former 442nd, Raymond Matsuda
"We lost everything....We had to start over again....When we moved into this apartment....we didn't even have a refrigerator....We didn't have an oven, we had a hot plate....and that's what we were cooking on. We didn't have a sofa....we didn't have anything....We were starting from absolute scratch....It was hard; it was very, very difficult."
-Sato Hashizume, former internee
“Before the war, many had been too young to realize how hated they were simply because of their Japanese blood. Now they experienced racism in full force. At school, the Nisei were taunted by their classmates. During recess, they were totally ignored. After school, no white child would play with them. Several of the schools, in fact, barred them from participating in sports or any other extracurricular activities.”
-Martin W Sandler, author of Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II.
She'd better go back to the concentration camp because Japanese weren't welcomed in Orange County.
-Anonymous