Facing the Mountain; An inspiring story of Japanese American Patriots in WWII.
I would probably not have listened to this book had it not been for Karen’s book club. Once a year the women invite their significant others to read/consume, present the book, join the discussion and the dinner meeting. This book is another well written Daniel James Brown historical narrative. The book takes us on the journey of multiple Japanese families and the Americans of Japanese descent from the day that will live in infamy, the attack on Pearl Harbor, through the end of WWII. The patriotism and courage of the 442 Regimental Combat Team, a special Japanese American unit that distinguished itself in the European conflicts is graphically described. The soldiers were fighting for their country while many of them had family held in detention in camps across America. Even though Japanese were not allowed to have citizenship this was their home and most chose loyalty to the USA, greatly demonstrated by many who served with distinction and many who lost their lives fighting for our country.
The book club acknowledged that much of the treatment and animosity toward the Japanese was unfair, even unconscionable in hindsight. At the same time, the horror and shock created by the attack resulted in strident animosity. We were also at war with the Germans and Italians, the heritage of a significant number of American’s. No internment for those ethnic groups. The Japanese who had lived as trusted neighbors and friends were suddenly considered a threat to our country. We need to remember that there was conjecture that the Japanese would carry their attacks to the West Coast of our country. Fear is a powerful motivator and the Japanese were a visible target for that anxiety. The bombs dropped in 1945 expedited the end of the Japanese conflict. The heroism and sacrifice of the Japanese Americans should be remembered.
It seems incongruous that one of our strongest allies today is Japan as well as Germany. We have overcome the prejudice and animosity to find mutually beneficial international relationships.
I shared my picture as I looked west on the Oregon Coast. To shape the future we must understand the past and avoid repeating our historical missteps. Banning books, replacement theory, fascism, ethnic cleansing, white supremacy, conspiracy theory, anti semitism, Putin’s war and more are ongoing and it will take a renewed effort to protect the freedoms that were hard won but remain fragile.
Thanks to the book club for enlightening my view of the past. Wishing you a great week end. Mike
Book Club
