Nicholas Augustyniak
FSSY 118
Professor Peffer
25 September 2008
Ansel Adams Reading Response
1.) I do not understand why so many close-ups of faces were included in this essay. I understand
that the author was trying to show and unbiased view of life there, but what purpose did those
pictures serve?
2.) The Project Director at Manzanar, Mr. Merrit, claims that “*t+he evacuation of 1942 has been,
and always will be, justified on the ground of military necessity. I have not said that the
evacuation was JUST, but that it was JUSTIFIED.” (36). When is the government cleared to
remove the rights of certain citizens? Who should be allowed to make that choice?
3.) Was the evacuation really that bad? This essay speaks about how they lived in want of nothing,
had their healthcare taken care of, and, on page 54 Roy Takeo says in his editorial, “The tragic
experiences of evacuation…these we write off our ledger.” It seems that the people understood
why they were being singled out, and now just wanted a fair chance once they were released.
Although they may have been somewhat traumatized, these were not concentration camps.
4.) What rights were, in fact, taken from the Japanese-Americans who were evacuated? The
children received schooling, the adults were trained for jobs (including professional jobs in
medicine), and the sick were cared for.
5.) Did it turn out to be better for the Japanese-Americans that they were relocated by the
government? The essay spoke about how it would prevent them from simply living introvertedly
with only other Japanese-Americans. Did it turn out that way? There does not seem to be much
anti-Japanese racism around, so I am inclined to think that it did.