Manzanar Internment camp and monument
I’m presenting a regular Travel Photo postcard to get you out on the weekends and hopefully visit some of these wonderful destinations. Some of them maybe easy day road trips or even quick getaways from where you live so I hope this inspires you to see some of the world around you even if its close by to where you live. Today’s travel photo post is at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Visiting Manzanar National Historic Site
It was a cold and somber day when I visited Manzanar early March when I thought it would be already spring, but was greeted instead with a cold front. From the Eastern Sierra’s dark clouds threatened the mountains and quickly covered the entire valley and afterwards snow flurries started to come down followed quickly by intense wind and snow coming at you in all directions – it was truly horrific and I fled into one of the “Tar paper city” barracks dotting the landscape. It was a respite from the snow, but still freezing in these poorly built shacks, the floorboards on some of these still pushing up dust and cold air from the outside – one could only imagine the horrors of being forced into this type of situation beyond their control and protest. I was here on a cold spring day, but can’t imagine how it must have been during some of the more extreme weather conditions in freezing cold or extreme heat in this arid and undesirable location.
Manzanar Internment camp
While I was visiting, all I could think was how could our government do this to its own people, naturalized or US born Japanese. With a stroke of an executive order every one of this ethnic heritage were rounded up from the western states and Hawaii and brought to these 10 internment camps in the inhospitable places in America. How could this happen and will this ever happen again in our lifetime, I was wondering – what do you think?
The grounds, camps and visitors center were all laid out very well with wonderful displays, interactive dioramas and collectibles from survivors – it really is a loving tribute to those who lived in the camp and wanted to share their personal stories, memories and collectibles for the public to learn from this experience.
Inside one of the ‘Tar paper’ barracks at Manzanar
I’m planning on doing a more detailed visit with images soon on this blog of the visit and personal experience, but wanted to share Manzar in this photo postcard series. Please stay tuned for an updated post on visiting Manzanar National Historic Park, meanwhile check out more information on their website here for more details about the experience in Manzanar National Historic Site.
Check out these other posts in the area
Alabama Hills in the Eastern Sierras
Exploring Death Valley National Park
A visit to Pinnacles National park
A post card from Pinnacles National park
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Im so glad you have put the spotlight on Manzanar, one of the darkest and most neglected pieces of American history. I find it ironic that the USA is easy to criticize the policies of others but easily shies away from its shameful past and dealings towards the Japanese in our country, especially those of whom which were naturalized Americans. As an Asian-American, I hope to one day visit this site for myself to pay my respects.
This is a great idea, using a ‘postcard’ style post to highlight certain experiences and a great way to explore issues. I often find myself asking these very questions about a lot of places I visit of this nature (most recently a camp just outside Prague that was part of the Nazi occupation). I’ve never been to Manzanar so I’d have to do a little more research but from what you have said, it must of been a harrowing visit. All we can do is educate people and learn from history so these terrible periods of history don’t happen again.
I will probably do a more detailed post down the road, it’s just an easy way for me to post something while I’m traveling or relevant in today’s news.
I love your “postcard” theme and layout, by the way! I have not been to Manzanar, but it is on my list of places to visit. I think it is good for us to take the time to see and think about the lessons we have learned from places like this. Or, at least, I hope we have learned lessons! Thank you for sharing beautiful and poignant photos with us.
The photos are haunting – I hope these injustices don’t happen again.
What great photos. You’ve captured the somber feeling of the place wonderfully. I can’t imagine how hopeless a person would feel in this situation when their own government turned against them. All the more reason to be vigilant, especially now, to never let this repeat itself ever again.
This is such a huge black stain on the history of the US. It makes me cry from shame to think of it. As to your question of whether this could happen again… A year or so ago, I would have replied NEVER. Now, after what has happened to us in the last year, I am not so sure. It scares me to think of it and shames me to admit that yes, it COULD happen again.
Let’s be hopeful that Americans will be strong on resisting any more sad actions like this again even if our government dictates these to protect the people.
What powerful, disturbing photos. I’m glad that it exists to educate people about the horrors that have come before us, and to warn us to honor our fellow humans in the years to come.
Terrible reminder of what can happen when the people let the government run roughshod over certain groups rights. You ask in this post if it could ever happen again and I am afraid that it could. Look at the fear that the current government spreads regarding Muslims, refugees and your neighbors to the south. The fear and hate is real. I hope that it never comes to that and that sensible Americans would stand up and fight for the rights of others. To me going on such a inhospitable day only reinforces the awful reality. I am not sure that you would have had the same reaction had it been a beautiful summer afternoon.
Events like this in history are so sad and heartbreaking. How can we possibly call ourselves civilized when we do and condone activities like this?! Though possibly the scariest part of it all is that they only gave them $25 per person once they released them! Sorry for the rant, and looking forward to your next post!
A poignant reminder of the injustices that sometimes occur in a populist political environment. I hope that things never progress down this path again and that saner minds prevail.
Yes I truly hope that history doesn’t repeat itself even with the state of our current government
It is horrible, and not implausible that our current government would take such steps. Thankfully, Americans would stand against it, as they have the Muslim Ban.
Yes, I’m hopeful that Americans would be standing strong for what is right in this country and against any injustices like what has happened at Manzanar.