They called us enemy

 

If you were a Star Trek fan, you may remember a character named Hikaru Sulu, He was the helmsman on the starship Enterprise.

Star Trek Original Theme

In real life, his name is George Takei – and he has a story of his own to tell. The details can be found in the book shown in the title above.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, George and the rest of his family were moved to a series of internment camps in the Southwest. In much the same way that European Jews were forced to move on very short notice by the Nazis, his family was forced to leave most of their belongings behind on very short notice, as they went to camps in California and Arkansas. In total, roughly 120,000 Japanese Americans were moved to “relocation camps”, where they stayed until after the Japanese surrendered in August of 1945.The first camp was at Santa Anita racetrack, where they were forced to sleep in horse stalls. Their next stop was camp Rohwer, the eastern most of the 10 relocation camps. Their final stop was back in California, where they stayed until the end of the war. In fact, a small number of people remained at Camp Tule Lake until March of 1946.

George Takei’s family eventually returned  to Las Angeles, where they had been living at the start of the war.

The camps came into being when FDR signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. It changed a lot of Japanese lives, and it was not until years later that our government apologized for its role.

In early 1943, some of the detainees were forced into military service, and they were housed at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, which became known as the 4452^nd regimental combat team. They served with distinction, and at the end of the war, the team was the most decorated unit of its size. President Truman honored dozens of its members with the Distinguished Service Cross.

On February 19, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed a proclamation formally terminating Executive Order 9066 and apologizing for the internment, stated: "We now know what we should have known then—not only was that evacuation wrong but Japanese Americans were and are loyal Americans. On the battlefield and at home the names of Japanese Americans have been and continue to be written in history for the sacrifices and the contributions they have made to the well-being and to the security of this, our common Nation.”

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation to create the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC). The CWRIC was appointed to conduct an official governmental study of Executive Order 9066, related wartime orders, and their effects on Japanese Americans in the West and Alaska Natives in the Pribilof Islands.

In December 1982, the CWRIC issued its findings in Personal Justice Denied, concluding that the incarceration of Japanese Americans had not been justified by military necessity. The report determined that the decision to incarcerate was based on "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership". The Commission recommended legislative remedies consisting of an official Government apology and redress payments of $20,000 to each of the survivors; a public education fund was set up to help ensure that this would not happen again (Pub. L. 100–383).

On August 10, 1988, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, based on the CWRIC recommendations, was signed into law by Ronald Reagan. On November 21, 1989, George H. W. Bush signed an appropriation bill authorizing payments to be paid out between 1990 and 1998. In 1990, surviving internees began to receive individual redress payments and a letter of apology. This bill applied to the Japanese Americans and to members of the Aleut people inhabiting the strategic Aleutian Islands in Alaska who had also been relocated.

FDR likely felt that he had no choice about the executive order that he signed, in view of the fact that the bombing of Pearl Harbor has happened roughly 2 months before. It was not until years later that we came to the conclusion that the relocation camps were not a good idea.

The story of the camps, however, is simply another example of the dangers of xenophobia, and it is a problem that has existed since ancient times

Xenophobia is the fear, dislike, or prejudice against people from other countries, cultures, or groups perceived as foreign or strange, stemming from Greek words meaning "stranger" (xenos) and "fear" (phobos). It manifests as discrimination, hostility, or violence, often fueled by anxieties about losing identity, national security, or cultural integrity, and can target immigrants, refugees, or minority groups, leading to policies of exclusion or persecution. 

Causes of Xenophobia

• In-group/Out-group Conflict: A basic human tendency to favor one's own group and distrust outsiders.
• Economic Fears: Belief that foreigners compete for jobs, resources, or strain social services.
• Cultural Anxiety: Fear of losing national identity, traditions, or values due to foreign influence.
• Misinformation & Propaganda: Spreading stereotypes and false narratives to portray outsiders as threats.
• Historical Grievances: Past conflicts or perceived injustices can fuel ongoing resentment. 

Effects of Xenophobia

• Social Division: Creates "us vs. them" mentality, increasing tension and conflict.
• Discrimination: Unfair treatment in housing, employment, or legal systems.
• Violence & Persecution: Hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide (e.g., The Holocaust).
• Restrictive Policies: Laws limiting immigration, asylum, or citizenship. 

How it Manifests (Examples)

• Anti-immigrant sentiment: Hostility towards new arrivals, as seen historically with Irish, Chinese, and Latin American immigrants.
• Islamophobia/Anti-Semitism: Hatred of specific religions, like hatred of Muslims or Jews.
• Nationalistic Isolationism: Extreme policies to keep foreigners out (e.g., historical Japan, modern North Korea). 

Combating Xenophobia

• Education: Teaching about diverse cultures and promoting empathy from a young age.
• Intercultural Exchange: Encouraging interaction and understanding between different groups.
• Challenging Prejudice: Speaking out against discriminatory jokes, stereotypes, and policies.
• Promoting Inclusive Laws: Advocating for policies that protect immigrants and minorities. 

• Xenophobia - UCLA Initiative to Study Hate

 

It’s no secret that xenophobia has gotten worse during the Trump administrations, and it has gotten worse since January of 2025.

 

In the past few weeks, Minnesota has been the site of many of the atrocities linked to ICE, and it has led to protests around the country. The problems first came to light in Los Angeles, quickly followed by Washinton D.C., Chicago and Portland. Both Minnesota and Illinois recently sued the government because of the actions of today’s version of the Gestapo.

 

Some people wonder if the protests are doing any good. If you have any doubt, though, you need to consider the words of naturalist Margaret Mead:

 

Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~