Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the American government interned people of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of them American citizens, in camps. Families who lived in the western United States had only days to liquidate businesses, sell homes and possessions, and deal with the perception that they were "enemy aliens." They felt angry, confused and betrayed, but nonetheless complied.
Soon after, their integrity was further assaulted when mandatory questionnaires were circulated among them. Would they officially declare their loyalty to the United States? And for able-bodied young men, would they serve their country in the armed forces? Those who replied in the negative would be subjected to even further discrimination, possibly even segregation. The questionnaires caused great anguish and polarized families, friends and the wider community.
Still, many viewed themselves as loyal citizens who believed in the principles upon which America was founded. Besides that, America was the only country most of the young people had ever known. They could barely read and write Japanese. They listened to swing and ate hamburgers. They believed in the American way with all their hearts. They answered the questionnaires in the affirmative.