Review 132: They Called Us Enemy

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Everyone will learn something from reading this book, even if you already think you know something about the Japanese internment camps during World War II.

The book was crafted well, the graphics display the words and help portray the story. A few aspects I’d like to point out. One is that not all were accepting of the Japanese being forced into camps. For instance, one man would deliver books to the camps, and was told by the soldiers many times to stop, but he would return the next month with another shipment of books.

I also learned that the US Government attempted to right the wrong. First, to upgrade their hero medal to the Japanese Americans who served in the army, to the Congressional Medal, the highest honor. Also there were reparations to the Japanese Americans who were interred. Everyone still living got a check for $10,000. It went to about half of the people interned, the rest had already passed away, since it was years later. Yes, these attempts to correct didn’t happen right away, but it did occur. It helps to have the government acknowledge the wrong and apologize.

One other aspect I liked with Takei’s autobiography, was how he brought in participatory democracy. That his father, despite what this country did to him, still believed in the fundamentals this country was built upon. People forget that our democracy requires people to participate, if nothing more than at least to vote.