American Yellow

The child of Japanese immigrants, Minoru Omi rather enjoyed life in 1930s San Francisco. Sure, his little sister got annoying sometimes, but his family was comfortable — his eccentric father and stoic mother ran a dry cleaning business together, and they all often enjoyed visits from friends and family.


But the day that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, his life was turned upside down. His father sold their cleaners, and they moved inland to Stockton to avoid the government-mandated evacuation — only to be forcefully relocated to the Stockton fairgrounds, and eventually to swampy, far-off Rohwer, Arkansas.


Still, though, their family resolve persists — and even while facing tough times, Minoru manages to get into trouble with snakes, bullies, and out-of-bounds candy shops, just like any other young boy. Interned or not, he finds a way to thrive.


Finally, as victory for the Allies looms closer, Minoru and his family are allowed to leave camp, and begin the long journey across the country to their former home in San Francisco — slowly but surely rebuilding the life and livelihood that was taken from them.

 


Keywords - Japanese, Minoru, Pearl Harbor, War, Japan, Evacuation, Bombing, Internment Camps