Ethnic Preference, Confidence in One’s Rights, and the Possibility of a Future Internment

Abstract

The impact of the internment on the Sansei is likely to extend beyond issues of interest or knowledge. As the preceding quote suggests, more global attitudes and perceptions may also have been affected. Perhaps the legacy of injustice led Sansei with a previously interned parent to be particularly skeptical toward the U.S. government. Or perhaps they feel a greater distrust of Caucasian Americans than do their No-Camp peers. A series of attitude statements were included in the survey that tapped a broader range of issues in which the effects of the internment might play a role. These statements assessed the degree to which Sansei preferred Japanese Americans over Caucasian Americans, had confidence in their rights, and would react to a future internment.

It’s affected my whole feeling about this country. I no longer stand up at baseball games and say the Pledge of Allegiance. . . . I’m real critical of this government. I feel I have very little patriotism in a way. I mean I care about what happens to the country and I care about the people, but I don’t feel this sense of, you know, I love my country and I love my flag. I don’t feel that at all. . . . It’s really because of what happened to my parents and my grandparents.