Looking Like the Enemy

1021 words 5 pages
Show More
Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, Looking Like the Enemy: My Story of Imprisonment in Japanese American Internment Camps

1. Why are interned Japanese Americans referred to as the “silent generation” (p.x)?

They were referred to as the silent generation because many of them did not speak about their experiences to anyone, not even their children after their times in imprisonment. They were a silent generation.

2. What were the specific challenges Gruenewald and other interned Japanese Americans faced in “camp” life? How did individuals and families adapt to these changes?

Camp life for Gruenewald and the others in the interment camps in California was hot, with bad food, and absolutely no privacy. Their showers were in one …show more content…

5. How does Gruenewald characterize the legacies of her experiences in internment camps? Gruenewald writes about the importance of her leaving a legacy for future generations, and the special way she will leave her legacy. Her son and her planted a “forever forest” on five acres of the land that her family had farmed for over 50 years. This she sees as her legacy to live on after her.

6. What kind of prejudice did Japanese Americans face outside the internment camps?

Japanese were still segregated; there was a plaguing anti Japanese hostility that they were faced with every day. Some were forced to depart and battle in military to get out of the internment camps, while many women were forced to support the military whether in nursing like Gruenewald. Throughout all the struggles within the internment camps their were definitely struggles with being outside of them as well. If they were to leave the interment camps, the Japanese could not live in specific states that the government entailed, majority being the west coast. They couldn’t go home, but they no longer had to stay there. There circumstances were miserable both ways. Furthermore, many were forced to fight in a country that was keeping their own families imprisoned.

7. How have her views of her experience shifted over time? What does this book tell us about

Related

  • Luke (6:27) Love of Enemies Reflection
    3055 words | 13 pages

    future. Within these contentious events, opposing sides often label each other the “enemy.” As history shows, these situations are likely to occur in an individual’s life; therefore it’s important to know how one should handle one’s self in such an event. Luke attempts to address this quandary in his passage, “Love of Enemies” (Luke 6:27-36). Here, he conveys the idea that when dealing with opposition and enemies, individuals shouldn’t let the oppressor’s degrading actions shape….

    Show More
  • Loss of Military Sensitive Items
    893 words | 4 pages

    In times of war losing a sensitive item such as a loaded mbitr radio or an SKL you have just given your enemy the ability to intercept all secure radio transmissions between any two operators in your area if the enemy knows your location or plans then you have just put all the troops in your area on your frequency, in danger of a surprise attack. Could you live with the knowledge that you are responsible for….

    Show More
  • Deconstruction Essay
    2065 words | 9 pages

    Gajan Langeswaran Mr. Devereux ENG 4U0 May 11, 2013 The Role of Binary Linguistic Oppositions in the Context of War Most novels on war usually perceive only one side in the realm. An author like Timothy Findley can make a novel less about war but more about the physiological impact on ones mind because of war. The Wars is a very powerful and disturbing book with plenty of linguistic contexts. Timothy Findley’s Governor General's Award-winning novel of the First World War tells the story of….

    Show More
  • Why Did America Withdraw Its Forces from Vietnam in 1973?
    2829 words | 12 pages

    with the communist’s ideas peasants would give food, weapons and intelligence to the Vietcong as well as housing them, making it almost impossible for American soldiers to distinguish between friend and foe. Soldiers were angry they were fighting an enemy that could not be seen and would mercilessly kill them in surprise attacks, and so felt they had no choice but to eliminate all threats from nearby-by villages, always suspecting anyone could be a Vietcong and believing it was better to be safe than….

    Show More
  • The Importance of Accountability and Responsibility in the U.S. Army
    2930 words | 12 pages

    the readiness of your unit in times of war or training. The consequences of losing sensitive items vary from item to item according to its value and importance. In times of war losing a sensitive item is crucial considering you have just given your enemy the ability to intercept these weapons and/or sensitive items. Could you live with the knowledge that you are responsible for the death of your team, squad, platoon, unit, or your own battle buddy or best friend? I think not. There are many other punishments….

    Show More
  • Book Report (War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War)
    1912 words | 8 pages

    copyrighted in 1986, John W. Dower presents arguments for both the United States and Japan which constitute similarities in the belief of a superior race as well as illustrates contradictions on how each side viewed the war. The book begins with “Part I: Enemies” which is made up of the first 3 chapters. Part I starts off….

    Show More
  • 4 Mat Review
    1008 words | 5 pages

    no control over. I started back on my journey to the church and giving my God the praise. When I started to rededicate my life to him I found and job and things started looking up in my personal life. He started blessing me abundantly and eventually my feelings about being adopted went away. Reflection In my reflection I would like to reflect upon the worldview. A person’s worldview is composed of their life experiences. Our world view is made up of our family, friends and our culture. As Christians….

    Show More
  • Odysseus V Telemachus
    1475 words | 6 pages

    their common goal and the lessons they learn; and only by overcoming these obstacles are they able to become emotionally stronger and find success in Ithaca. Odysseus and Telemachus’ respective journeys have many similarities such as the common enemy the share and the goal they are fighting towards. First,….

    Show More
  • Grendel vs. Beowulf
    982 words | 4 pages

    by an anonymous poet, is the monster, Grendel. Even though these pieces show two different sides to Grendel they are similar in many ways. Grendel evokes sympathy toward the hideous monster by making him seem like the victim, while Beowulf portrays him as being the most loathsome of enemies. The reasons behind Grendel’s being, his killing, and finally his death make him one of the most controversial and infamous monsters in literature. Grendel is the man-killing monster that Beowulf portrayed….

    Show More
  • Saving Private Ryan
    1407 words | 6 pages

    Saving Private Ryan Many people in this world have power and influence. Yet, there are few who have the traits needed to be an incredible leader. These people who are positive leaders tend to leave strong impressions in our minds for years or maybe even a lifetime. In choosing a movie with a character that portrayed a strong sense of power and influence, and possessed the traits of a good leader, I remembered a character that left an admirable impression in my mind. Saving Private Ryan….

    Show More

Popular Essays