Member-only story

The Uprooting of Japanese American Family: Classics of Asian American Literature

Frank Mitchell

·2.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Desert Exile: The Uprooting Of A Japanese American Family (Classics Of Asian American Literature)

5 min read

455 View Claps

41 Respond

Save

Listen

Japanese American family classics are a rich and vibrant body of literature that has emerged from the unique experiences of Japanese Americans in the United States. These works explore the complex and often contradictory experiences of Japanese Americans, who have faced both assimilation and discrimination throughout their history. The Japanese American literary tradition has its foundation in the stories of immigrants who came to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these immigrants settled in small agricultural communities on the Pacific coast, where they struggled to establish a new life in a foreign land. The Japanese American family classics of this period often depict the challenges and hardships faced by these early immigrants, as well as their resilience and determination to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family (Classics of Asian American Literature)

by Yoshiko Uchida

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3581 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	184 pages

The Impact of World War II

The outbreak of World War II had a profound impact on the Japanese American community in the United States. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans into concentration camps. Over 120,000 Japanese Americans, including over 70,000 American citizens, were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in camps located in remote areas of the United States. The internment experience was a traumatic event for Japanese Americans, who were subjected to harsh living conditions and denied their basic civil rights. Many Japanese Americans lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods, and the internment had a lasting impact on their families and communities.

The Post-War Period

After the war, Japanese Americans began to rebuild their lives. Many returned to their former communities, but others decided to start fresh in new locations. The post-war period was a time of both hope and challenge for Japanese Americans. They faced discrimination and prejudice, but they also worked to establish their own institutions and organizations. The Japanese American family classics of this period often reflect the experiences of Japanese Americans as they struggled to rebuild their lives and find a place in American society.

Themes in Japanese American Family Classics

The Japanese American family classics are a diverse body of literature, but they share a number of common themes. One of the most prominent themes is that of identity. Japanese Americans have often struggled with their sense of identity, as they have been seen as both foreign and American. Many Japanese American family classics explore the complexities of identity and the challenges of belonging in two cultures. Another common theme is that of loss. Japanese Americans have experienced a great deal of loss, both during the war and in the years that followed. The Japanese American family classics often depict the grief and sorrow that Japanese Americans have felt as a result of their losses.

Finally, the theme of assimilation is also prominent in Japanese American family classics. Many Japanese Americans have struggled to assimilate into American society, while others have chosen to maintain their Japanese heritage. The Japanese American family classics often explore the tensions between assimilation and cultural preservation.

The Japanese American family classics are a valuable and important part of American literature. They provide a unique perspective on the Japanese American experience and offer insights into the challenges and triumphs of this resilient community. These works have helped to raise awareness of Japanese American history and culture, and they continue to inspire and educate new generations of readers.