Minidoka Mother's Society

Mother’s Society

By Camille Daw, Graduate Fellow

Minidoka mothers used their pens and petitioned First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for “guidance” with her husband’s support to stop the drafting of Japanese Americans until the United States government provided the incarcerated Japanese Americans with their rights as citizens.

In 1944, after incarcerated Japanese Americans recovered from the controversy surrounding the Loyalty Questionnaire, the United States Army announced another major change to their policies surrounding Nikkei enlistment. They suddenly began asking Japanese Americans to fulfill their civic duties of fighting in the US Army under the Selective Service Act. Nikkei were to be drafted, despite the US goverment witholding their rights as citizens. 

At Minidoka, many mothers grew worried about their children, after their sons already volunteered. The women used their pens and petitioned First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for “guidance” with her husband’s support to stop the drafting of Japanese Americans until the United States government provided the incarcerated Japanese Americans with their rights as citizens. Many argued that Nikkei served valiantly and bravely before the war, but stripping their rights made many lose faith in the United States government. 

https://www.aasc.ucla.edu/storybooks/suyama/statementsofresistance.pdf

In a joint letter, the mothers wrote, 

“Dear President Roosevelt, 

Please allow us to present another ernest petition in regards to the reclassification of American citizens of Japanese ancestry. WE, the parents of citizens of Japanese ancestry, long for America, land of the free and equal, left behind ourfamiliar bierhtplace and came a great distance to this country. And in this land of strange language and customes, struggling againest the innumerable obstacles, we attempted ot gain a secure means of living. IN time with grace of God, our children were born in this country, and we brought them up as splendid American citizens, who could not be pointed to with pride. 

They in turn did not dissapoint us in hope and grew up to be American citizens no less loyal than any other American. This, we believe, is demonstarated by the lack of law-breakesers among them and the fact that a considerable number of them volunteered for the Armed Forces at the time conscription was ordered. When war broke out, unfortunately between America and Japan, each time a Nisei draftee or volunteer left for the Army all of his friends encouraged and  and spurred him on and sent him off. 

This fact, we believe, shows the stand of Nisei citizens and their parents toward the war. However, on the Pacific Coast with the so-called ‘military necessity’ as reason the foundation of our life, the fruit of several decades of toil and suffering, was completely overturned; and the first generation aliens and even Nisei- who are American citizens- were forced to lead a life within barbed-wire fences. 

This treatment that thye recieved was far worse than that accorded to GErman and Italian enemy aliens. About the time of evacuation from the coast, their draft classification was chanced to 4-C. They were considered enemy aliens. The blow to their spirit, they suffered at this time, was something that we could hardly bear to witness. 

Again, Lt. General DeWitt, Commanding Officer of the Western Defense Command, prclaimed in reference to them that “a Jap’s a Jap”: and, using baseless and vague argument, accused Nisei of being spies and saboteurs, thus adding fuel to the anti-Nisei feeling among the people on the Coast. However, to this day, two and half years since the outbreak of war, not a single case of sabotage by a Nisei has occurred on the Pacific Coast or even in Hawaii. But unfortunately the American public does not listen to the truth, and it seems that the discrimination against them is becoming even more intense. Even today, although they are American citizens, Niseis- soldiers- are not allowed free to travel through the Coast.

Even Japanese war veterans who risked their lives for the United States and participated in World War I are interned in relocation centers. Since they have begun to feel deep down inside them that these restrictions of freedom directed at American citizens of Japanese ancestry could not be understood as merely for the purpose of protection; we, their mothers, advised them that, this being war time, they should submit to military orders, and endure whatever place they are given. 

Among them were some who, desiring to improve the present discriminatory condition of citizens of Japanese ancestry requested the modification of the Selective Service regulations, or took it upon themselves to volunteer for the Armed Forces and attempt to show their real spirits. However, they took received discriminatory treatment, even within the military camps; and, contemplating the course to be followed by their juniors, they are in a state of constant anguish. 

We understand that the purpose for which the United States is allowing tremendous sacrifices in fighting the war today is to establish ‘freedom and equality’ throughout the world. When they, the Nisei, consider the purpose of this war and then think about the treatment they are receiving at present, they discover the existence of a great paradox. They are dejected and now have lost their firm, unshakeable faith and spirit. To think of sending them in this condition to the front, we as mothers considering the past and the future feel an extreme and unbearable anguish. 

Our loving and judicious Mrs. Roosevelt, 

Please from the standpoint of love for humanity, understand the feeling for the small number of stuffing mothers and advice us on the course that we should take. In this connection, we would like to have you please consider the suspension of the drafting of citizens of Japanese ancestry until they regain the confidence that they cand demonstrate their loyalty to the United States from the bottom of their hearts as formerly and we earnestly petition to be granted gracious words of advice and humbly await a reply from you.” 

Despite their earnest attempts, Eleanor Roosevelt declined their request, stating that the “confidence of loyalty” could be reinstated by men peacefully enlisting when drafted. Mothers from other incarceration facilities joined their sisters at Minidoka, in writing letters to President Roosevelt and other wartime authorities in protest of the draft. A group of women at Topaz, located in Utah, also wrote a letter, while Japnaese Americans who came together at an “All Center Conference” sent Dillon Meyer a letter against the draft.