Farewell to Manzanar

The book describes the experiences of Jeanne Wakatsuki and her family before, during and following their imprisonment at the Manzanar concentration camp due to the United States government's internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.  I am currently reading this book in my English class and its very interesting reading it because its a very unique book. It goes from the present to the past with flashbacks and then fasts forwards into the future captivating this story in detail about what was life like for this young girl and her family having to face all his struggles at Manzanar.

My Visit At Manzanar

 My visit to Manzanar was

really exciting and interesting because I learned so many new things about what it was  like for the Japanese Americans to live in a campsite like this and the conditions that they had to live in. It's really cool reading and learning about some of the people that lived here and imagine myself in there position and how it was like for them. Some of them even attended Roosevelt High School the school in which I currently attend.  It is mind blowing thinking that these students could of once sat in my very own seat. I'm glad I had the opportunity to visit this campsite. I really loved it.

Here's a message  that I left.

Ralph Lazo 1924-1991

Ralph Lazo was a Mexican/Irish American kid who became one of the most popular guys at Manzanar High. He wasn't of Japanese ancestry so he wasn't required to live in Manzanar and could leave whenever he wanted without anyone stopping him. But he chose to stay there with his Japaneses American friends. Like he says " I knew their loyalty. They hadn't done anything I hadn't done, and time has proven this." Ralph had remained at Manzanar until he joined the army in 1994 he remained close to his his Manzanar friends for the rest of his life.

Art in Manzanar

This is one of my favorite paintings that was made by an unknown child in school. "Arts and craft clubs provided opportunities to share knowledge and culture.  Artists gave lessons in painting and sketching, and provided their own equipment and supplies. Many had been successful artists before they were sent to Manzanar." There was artist of all ages old and young painting and creating beautiful artwork.

Manzanar was one of Ten

Manzanar War Relocation Center was only one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II. Here are the Flags of all ten camp sites. In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps.

What was it like sleeping in Manzanar?

While having to move into a new home meant a new bed which wasn't as comfortable the one you had at home. Imagine having to go from sleeping in your room in your bed with a nice mattress to having to make your own bed! All of this happened within a few days short.  notice. You were forced to move out and leave all your personal belongings behind only carrying what you could wear and a couple of suitcases per family. When people first arrived at Manzanar they had to fill up a bag with hay and used that as there new bed as time went on they were eventually able to update to a better one. Since they had lots of Japanese coming in they needed a place where they could all stay and live.

Japanese Garden at Roosevelt High School

The Japanese garden at my school Roosevelt High School (RHS) has been constructed three times as a result of various forces at work within the community. It is located in Boyle Heights. Shigeo Takayama, president of the RHS Japanese Club, led the construction of a Japanese garden on the campus. In 1935, with the help of some Japanese students and parents the garden was completed. Later these students were forced to abandon their homes as a result of executive order 9066 and the Japanese Internment. Many of them were unable to graduate from high school. The original garden built by these students was destroyed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This Garden that is located in my school shares a little of the History of the Japanese so that's pretty cool!

This is what a Japaneses garden created in Manzanar looks 

like.