Canada's Deepest Shame

Ginger · 04-07-2006

I went on a field trip today with my daughter's grade 6 class to a Japanese museum where the focus was the internment after Pearl Harbor. I normally am not fond of museums, but this one was sobering, thought-provoking, interesting and sad.

I think it was terrific for the kids to learn about the internment, and to refresh my knowledge of it, as it is something that I had "forgotten" about.

I'm not sure if the US interned their Japanese citizens during the same period. A Japanese Canadian woman spoke to the children of her experience through the internment, when she was 12. Many Japanese immigrants had come to Canada to call it their home. They turned a quiet, decrept part of Vancouver into a bustling business and residential area. They had families, ran business, and were wonderful citizens and contributers to our society here. After the bombing, the Japanese men were taken to work on the railroads, etc. and the women and children were taken to internment camps set up near the Rockies, where they lived for 2 years. Their business, cars, homes, and belongings were sold. They were allowed to take only 1 suitcase each. They obliged without protest because this is the way they were as a culture...they only knew to obey their government. Life in the internment camps wasn't all bad, but after a few years the gov't then told them that they had two choices: move to Alberta or the Prairies (with no money, no way to make money for many of them) or the gov't would pay for their trip back to Japan. Many chose the second, and they were no longer accepted in their own home country either. They were frowned on as foreigners, they were shunned. And they had nothing....no jobs, no money, no homes.

It is a very sad piece of our history, a very shameful act of our government. I think it was great for the teacher to organize this field trip and wonderful of this woman to speak of her experiences. I think by teaching these things to the children, we can give them a sense of social and moral responsibility to make sure nothing of this sort every happens again in our country, and to feel a responsibilty to help to keep it from happening elsewhere in the world.

Hope I didn't just start a political thread, just wanted to share.

MikeW · 04-07-2006

I wonder if you guys followed our lead, or we followed yours. They have partially preserved a Japanese internment camp in the California desert somewhere around of all places Independence.

Ginger · 04-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW

I wonder if you guys followed our lead, or we followed yours. They have partially preserved a Japanese internment camp in the California desert somewhere around of all places Independence.

Hmmm..that's a good question. Our leaders at the time - from what I heard and read today - were pretty adamant and public in their beliefs that this is what was right to do. Pretty sad.

Ginger · 04-07-2006

After further readings, seems to me that Canada was the instigator in this:

Many historians believe internments camps came about because of racist attitudes Canadians held towards Japanese Canadian's-many of whom lived in BC. Once the bombing on Pearl Harbour happened racism came to a head. British Columbians started to blame all their troubles and problems on the Japanese. Japanese people were blamed for everything from a bad crop to a flat tire. The scared people of BC cried out, wanting the BC Government to deal with the problem as they saw it-Japanese Canadians. The people of British Columbia wanted to feel safe in their homes again and they wanted Prime Minister Mackenzie King to rid Canada of people of Japanese orign. They were causing a threat to Canada (or so it was believed by the public.) Mackenzie King wanted the votes from B.C. so he was more than happy to do what they asked. Mackenzie's first order of business was to incarcerate all Japanese males between the ages 14 and 45. They were ordered to move more than 160 km inland. This was to "safe guard" the pacific coast from Japanese spies. The Canadian government took away all of the Japanese fishing fleets, in order to protect Canada.

Ginger · 04-07-2006

Another tidbit I forgot to share was kind of sick as well.

As I mentioned, many of the Japanese returned to a very poor life in Japan, physically, financially, emotionally, etc. When Canada entered into the Korean war in 1950-51, they publicized that all Japanese people with Canadian citizenship would be allowed to return to Canada if they fought for Canada in the Korean war. Not good enough to be a citizen, but good enough to fight the battles. Unbelievable.

Seakony · 04-07-2006

It is sad indeed, but I can understand the BC's fears. Many people felt the same way about the muslims after 911, and it's still scary knowing they have the freedom to carry on. I am sure there are some terrorists hiding in this country. But I guess the country does not want another interment camp. War makes people nervous.

Jacko · 04-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seakony

It is sad indeed, but I can understand the BC's fears. Many people felt the same way about the muslims after 911, and it's still scary knowing they have the freedom to carry on. I am sure there are some terrorists hiding in this country. But I guess the country does not want another interment camp. War makes people nervous.

It does indeed make people nervous...but we must continue to seek calm wisdom in the midst of this. Remember, those terrorists who may be hiding in this country may well be misguided Christian or Jewish Americans....and we surely don't want to be scared of any peace-loving Americans (or peace loving Muslims) having the freedom to carry on.

Seakony · 04-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacko

It does indeed make people nervous...but we must continue to seek calm wisdom in the midst of this. Remember, those terrorists who may be hiding in this country may well be misguided Christian or Jewish Americans....and we surely don't want to be scared of any peace-loving Americans (or peace loving Muslims) having the freedom to carry on.

I agree with you.. we have to be civilized..yet...it still can be un-nerving.

cuffedlinks · 04-08-2006

My Mom was born in 1933. While living in San Pedro California - My Grandfather was a Longshoreman - one of her best friends was a little Japanese-American girl from school. One day Mom went over to her house and no one was there.
She never heard from her again.

Daddy B · 04-08-2006

Nah, Canada's biggest shame has to be Celine Dion...

Seakony · 04-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy B

Nah, Canada's biggest shame has to be Celine Dion...

SPEW

jeffandbecky · 04-08-2006

One of my very good friends, Kyle Thompson, was a slave of the Japanese during the Second World War. He was a Texas National Guardsman captured on Java in 1942 and I have the honor to know too many surviors of the Burma railroad to have any doubts about the conduct of the Japanese during WWII. By comparsion, the Internees were treated with kindness and compassion. The best thing that ever happened to Japan was for the US to knock it flat and rebuild it. Neither the USA of Canada need to make any further apologies or feel any guilt given the brutal treatment of Japan's internees who recieved no compensation.

RonH · 04-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffandbecky

One of my very good friends, Kyle Thompson, was a slave of the Japanese during the Second World War. He was a Texas National Guardsman captured on Java in 1942 and I have the honor to know too many surviors of the Burma railroad to have any doubts about the conduct of the Japanese during WWII. By comparsion, the Internees were treated with kindness and compassion. The best thing that ever happened to Japan was for the US to knock it flat and rebuild it. Neither the USA of Canada need to make any further apologies or feel any guilt given the brutal treatment of Japan's internees who recieved no compensation.

Well said Jeff. It does get a little tiring reading post about so-called "shameful" acts of our countries. My grandfathers brother died at Pearl Harbor, so I for one don't understand this thread. This thread should be locked down

PlayadelSoul · 04-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy B

Nah, Canada's biggest shame has to be Celine Dion...

I finally agree with DaddyB.

In times of war, governments tend to take drastic measures. Better safe than sorry, comes to mind. Although, in hindsight, it was overkill, I can't really say that I blame them. Had they interrred Germans, as well, I think it would have been easier to defend, as it smacks of racism.

Scaramouche · 04-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy B

Nah, Canada's biggest shame has to be Celine Dion...

or, 2006 Olympic Hockey!

04-07-2006	#1 (permalink)
Ginger none Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 10,162	Canada's Deepest Shame I went on a field trip today with my daughter's grade 6 class to a Japanese museum where the focus was the internment after Pearl Harbor. I normally am not fond of museums, but this one was sobering, thought-provoking, interesting and sad. I think it was terrific for the kids to learn about the internment, and to refresh my knowledge of it, as it is something that I had "forgotten" about. I'm not sure if the US interned their Japanese citizens during the same period. A Japanese Canadian woman spoke to the children of her experience through the internment, when she was 12. Many Japanese immigrants had come to Canada to call it their home. They turned a quiet, decrept part of Vancouver into a bustling business and residential area. They had families, ran business, and were wonderful citizens and contributers to our society here. After the bombing, the Japanese men were taken to work on the railroads, etc. and the women and children were taken to internment camps set up near the Rockies, where they lived for 2 years. Their business, cars, homes, and belongings were sold. They were allowed to take only 1 suitcase each. They obliged without protest because this is the way they were as a culture...they only knew to obey their government. Life in the internment camps wasn't all bad, but after a few years the gov't then told them that they had two choices: move to Alberta or the Prairies (with no money, no way to make money for many of them) or the gov't would pay for their trip back to Japan. Many chose the second, and they were no longer accepted in their own home country either. They were frowned on as foreigners, they were shunned. And they had nothing....no jobs, no money, no homes. It is a very sad piece of our history, a very shameful act of our government. I think it was great for the teacher to organize this field trip and wonderful of this woman to speak of her experiences. I think by teaching these things to the children, we can give them a sense of social and moral responsibility to make sure nothing of this sort every happens again in our country, and to feel a responsibilty to help to keep it from happening elsewhere in the world. Hope I didn't just start a political thread, just wanted to share.

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04-07-2006	#2 (permalink)
MikeW añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 9,090	I wonder if you guys followed our lead, or we followed yours. They have partially preserved a Japanese internment camp in the California desert somewhere around of all places Independence.

04-07-2006	#4 (permalink)
Ginger none Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 10,162	After further readings, seems to me that Canada was the instigator in this: Many historians believe internments camps came about because of racist attitudes Canadians held towards Japanese Canadian's-many of whom lived in BC. Once the bombing on Pearl Harbour happened racism came to a head. British Columbians started to blame all their troubles and problems on the Japanese. Japanese people were blamed for everything from a bad crop to a flat tire. The scared people of BC cried out, wanting the BC Government to deal with the problem as they saw it-Japanese Canadians. The people of British Columbia wanted to feel safe in their homes again and they wanted Prime Minister Mackenzie King to rid Canada of people of Japanese orign. They were causing a threat to Canada (or so it was believed by the public.) Mackenzie King wanted the votes from B.C. so he was more than happy to do what they asked. Mackenzie's first order of business was to incarcerate all Japanese males between the ages 14 and 45. They were ordered to move more than 160 km inland. This was to "safe guard" the pacific coast from Japanese spies. The Canadian government took away all of the Japanese fishing fleets, in order to protect Canada.

04-07-2006	#5 (permalink)
Ginger none Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 10,162	Another tidbit I forgot to share was kind of sick as well. As I mentioned, many of the Japanese returned to a very poor life in Japan, physically, financially, emotionally, etc. When Canada entered into the Korean war in 1950-51, they publicized that all Japanese people with Canadian citizenship would be allowed to return to Canada if they fought for Canada in the Korean war. Not good enough to be a citizen, but good enough to fight the battles. Unbelievable.

04-07-2006	#6 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,147	It is sad indeed, but I can understand the BC's fears. Many people felt the same way about the muslims after 911, and it's still scary knowing they have the freedom to carry on. I am sure there are some terrorists hiding in this country. But I guess the country does not want another interment camp. War makes people nervous.

04-08-2006	#9 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	My Mom was born in 1933. While living in San Pedro California - My Grandfather was a Longshoreman - one of her best friends was a little Japanese-American girl from school. One day Mom went over to her house and no one was there. She never heard from her again.

04-08-2006	#10 (permalink)
Daddy B añejo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: 10 minutes walk from the Caribbean Posts: 8,995	Nah, Canada's biggest shame has to be Celine Dion...

04-08-2006	#12 (permalink)
jeffandbecky life=playa Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Driftwood Posts: 724	One of my very good friends, Kyle Thompson, was a slave of the Japanese during the Second World War. He was a Texas National Guardsman captured on Java in 1942 and I have the honor to know too many surviors of the Burma railroad to have any doubts about the conduct of the Japanese during WWII. By comparsion, the Internees were treated with kindness and compassion. The best thing that ever happened to Japan was for the US to knock it flat and rebuild it. Neither the USA of Canada need to make any further apologies or feel any guilt given the brutal treatment of Japan's internees who recieved no compensation.

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