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Tim May | all galleries >> California's Diversity:: a collection of galleries >> GALLERY :: Manzanar Relocation Camp - A Place to Remember:: Manzanar, California, October 2006 > Patriotism
Manzanar Historical Monument, California, October 2006
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17-OCT-2006

Patriotism
Manzanar Historical Monument, California, October 2006


Many of the internees volunteered to fight in WW II. This flag next to the wooden grave marker speaks of that patriotism. I, also, like this picture because the wood has worn away so that it seems as if it were bamboo. It was not.

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Phil Douglis29-Jan-2007 05:54
Following up on Iris' comment, it is interesting to note that this massive violation of the civil rights of American citizens was eventually acknowledged by the US government, but it took 40 years for it to do. The survivors or their families each received $20,000 as "compensation."
Iris Maybloom (irislm)28-Jan-2007 18:23
The internment of Japanese, two-thirds of whom were American citizens, in camps such as Manzanar was probably the greatest single violation of civil rights in American history. Despite this or, perhaps, because of this, over 17,000 Japanese-Americans fought under the American flag in World War 2. This image speaks to me of loyalty, patriotism, valor, and, perhaps, forgiveness. It's a powerful image.
Phil Douglis28-Jan-2007 03:17
And I like the way you have the chosen to stress the US flag embracing the rock -- the vivid reds and blues draped on that cold gray stone speak volumes. The man is dead. It is ironic that he still seems to cherish the embrace of the country that essentially incarcerated him because of his ancestry.