This morning I read an article in the current issue of Guideposts Magazine. It was with shock and disbelief that I read a story about a young Japanese girl and her family who were ordered to leave her farm and everything they knew to be held prisoners in a government internment camp. A camp with surroundings so different from the lush strawberry farm they were forced to leave behind. This 'herding' of Japanese Americans came shortly following the bombing of Pearl Harbor during WWII.
What was so shocking to me is that throughout all my years of education, I NEVER ONCE heard of these camps (numbering approximately ten) which were used to hold these people prisoner for over three years. In my reading, I learned that President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act in 1988 which in part, hoped to make restitution to Japanese Americans whose rights were violated during that time.
Mentioning this to Brillo Man, he shared with me that he had once visited the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California. My online search of this center revealed that today, ironically, is the date of an annual pilgrimage which Japanese Americans make to remember and honor those who spent time in these internment camps.
So today's blog is about honoring all those who suffered needless shame and loss of their homes and land and all their possessions --only to be detained for what I consider no good reason.
My prayer is that we all treat one another, irregardless of race or ethnicity, with dignity and respect. Let's all vow to live by The Golden Rule....Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
9 comments:
You get can some great education out of Guideposts don't you?!
I actually knew of this internment camp, but I don't think many people have even heard of it. It is shocking isn't it?
Today, "Doing unto others" has been changed to do it unto others BEFORE they do it to you. What a sad state of mind. The world needs Jesus.
OK, that should have read, You can get some great education from Guidepost, CAN'T you... not YOU GET CAN..duh!
I need Jesus and coffee.
Good morning Deb: fear does some strange things to some people. I bet there were countless Americans who hated to see their Japanese neighbors uprooted by the government. I agree with Pat. the world does need Jesus. He is the Answer. selahV
i've never been able to get my mind around places like that. its baffling to me how the notion of imprisoning people for no reason other than fear or hatred can be seen as okay by anyone.
Your point is well taken, Dear. But 'irregardless' is not a word. I feel compelled to point this out, since we both did our undergrad at the same college! It's like a double negative - regardless is all you need to say.
I sit corrected:
Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less
Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&s
Function: adverb
Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless
nonstandard : REGARDLESS
Usage: Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.
The above cut&paste is from Webster's website. I thought I had better look it up to make sure I was right. Well, I was right and wrong all at once!!!
Love to you&yours!
I was going to point out the "irregardless" thing too, but since I couldn't seem to string two or three words together that made any sense, irregardless of how hard I tried...why bother!
I am grammar queen.
I knew that 'irregardless' was a word that shouldn't be a word.
you guys crack me up!
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A WORD, IT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT!!!!! Diction is the better part of grammar, my dear!!! LOL It's one of those 'nails-on-the-chalkboard' things. Irregardless??!!! It just gave me the willies even typing it. LOL
I read about your blog in Guideposts while waiting for the eye doctor the other day.
I wanted you to know that my mother and her entire family had to move into a "relocation center" when she was 12 and she lived there until she was almost 16. She was born and raised in Northern California. Her father died while in the camp and left her mom with 9 kids to raise.
She never really talked much about that time of her life. Her oldest brothers joined the military when they were old enough.
Thank you for your input into Guideposts. God works in mysterious ways. I think the atrocities that were happening in Germany far outweighed what happened here in the US, unless it happened to your family.
Have a wonderful day..your daughter is precious.
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