The Life of Immigrants Was/Is Not Easy
By: Floyd Mori
Tags: Racism, Tolerance, Immigrants, America, Japanese Americans

Immigrants from Japan started coming to the United States in fairly large numbers during the early part of the 1900’s. They were mostly young men from poorer areas in Japan who sought a better life. They were not part of the educated upper class who enjoyed success in their native land. They were searching for a way to earn money and make a good living through their labor. America seemed to be the answer.

These young men worked hard and tried to prove themselves. Although they often sent money back home to their families in Japan, they tried to save part of their earnings. After a time, many of the young men wanted to have a wife and family. Some were able to bring women over from Japan to be their brides. So-called “picture brides” came with the men having only seen a photo and being introduced through a mediator. They settled down and started families in their new home although some had intended to return to Japan when they were able to earn and save enough money.

Image is author’s

By the time that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, the majority of people of Japanese descent living in the United States were American citizens. They were the children of the immigrants from Japan. Some of these citizens had been born in the United States, had grown up, gone to college, married, and had families of their own. The citizens made up two-thirds of the total number of those of Japanese heritage in the country.

When the war started with Japan, these Japanese Americans were looked upon as the enemy just as their parents were. Most had never even been to Japan. America was their home and their country. They should have been protected by the Constitution, but they were not.

When the war hysteria and prejudice against those of Japanese heritage in the United States reared their ugly heads, the government leaders were quick to persecute these innocent citizens and their immigrant parents. Although they were loyal to their country, they were suspected of being spies for Japan. They were placed in the American concentration camps which were built hastily in remote and desolate areas of the United States. These people were totally innocent and were incarcerated for no reason other than their race.

This mass incarceration was one of the most egregious acts of injustice, prejudice, and discrimination against immigrants and their offspring ever in the United States of America.

It is still not easy to be an immigrant, and many find difficulties as they try to assimilate in their new home.

Democrats have generally been more accepting of immigrants. President Trump has openly opposed many immigrants. He has had three wives who were immigrants. Since they were from European countries, however, they were treated better than those from Africa, Asia, and South America. That is usually the case. Racism is part of it.

Immigrants face many difficulties. If people would have more understanding, tolerance, and compassion for their fellowmen, immigrants could find more success. They are enduring many challenges of life in an unfamiliar country.

Washington Monument and Cherry Blossoms (image is author’s)

The United States of America is a great and beautiful place where immigrants still want to come. Those of us who live here are fortunate to enjoy the freedoms we have and the beauty surrounding us.

We can all do our part by being kind to the immigrants we encounter. We should be more welcoming and not let racism cloud our thinking. People deserve a chance for a better life. We can be the catalyst for improvement and progress by showing more love.

Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. —John F. Kennedy

[Source: Internet and The Japanese American Story As Told Through a Collection of Speeches and Articles, www.thejapaneseamericanstory.com]