I have a question

[Mandysue]

Because FJer's are of many different mind sets I have a question that I have been thinking about.

I was reading about the Japanese relocation camps during World War II. These people were removed from everything they knew because of something that happened 1000 miles away. America (as a whole) allowed this to happen.

So here is my question-

If America had wanted to put people of Middle Eastern dissent in relocation camps after 9/11 would people allow that? Would someone step up and say that it was wrong? Have we moved away from that mentalility?

[ViolaSebastian]

If America had wanted to put people of Middle Eastern dissent in relocation camps after 9/11 would people allow that? Would someone step up and say that it was wrong?

Well, I can guarantee you that I, for one, would have stepped up and said it was wrong, and despite the anger felt over 9/11, I tend to think that others would too.

As for the United States moving away from that mentality, unfortunately, there are still people who think that concentration camps are completely appropriate. Take, for example, Florida state representative candidate Marge Baker, who recently advocated shipping illegal immigrants to the middle of the country and build high walls around them and "leave them there." http://www.salon.com/2010/08/12/florida ... _in_camps/

Do I think it could happen again? Yes, I do. Without proper education as to why these sorts of statements are wrong the horror of the Shoah and the Japanese (and German and Italian) camps of the United States, this sort of disgusting behavior could be repeated.

[chaotic life]

I can only speak for myself. I would have fought tooth and nail against such actions and would have brought my entire family into protests and political activism.

[chissprincess]

There are an awful lot of racist, ignorant assholes out there. There's always some wingnut with limited knowledge of history and/or too much love for conspiracy theories ready to toss out some ridiculous idea or other. I could totally see camps at least being proposed again, and possible implemented in some areas. I think the idea would eventually be struck down (pretty sure our legal system doesn't allow for it anymore but I'm not 100% certain) and I think most people would be against the thought of camps for some reason or other, but to be honest I'm kind of surprised nobody has proposed the idea yet. Seems like the kind of thing a lot of the more extremist or fringe elements would really embrace.

[dpndetfarm]

I would be fighting loudly against it, but you are assuming we know about it before it happens. I don't think something like this would be publicized. I think it would happen slowly at first. It's harder to stop something that is already entrenched than something that is planned. Still as soon as I knew about it I would be very vocal. The majority of the US would need to be pushed in my opinion.

[laura oz]

Given the current climate and extreme rhetoric I've been hearing lately, I would have to say that its entirely possible some could really push for history to repeat itself. Ignorant hate mongers.

[RosyDaisy]

Add me to the list of people who would fight against it. What is that saying about people not heed in the past?

[Maggie Mae]

I don't think it would happen. While I am very distrustful of politicians, and to some extent the government as a whole, I don't think that interment camps will happen again. There are laws and regulations put in place to prevent that kind of thing. Not to mention the pure logistics of getting such a place set up - there are a million permits that would have to be cleared to even build the place. I also think that, despite the terribleness of today's media & "news" conglomerates, that the media - who, with the exception of Rupert Murdoch publications, overwhelmingly liberal - would get people fired about it as well.

However, the whole situation at the border with the kids being put into cages and some of the horrible things people are saying about unaccompanied children, makes me question if interment camps could happen again.

[dpndetfarm]

I don't think it would happen. While I am very distrustful of politicians, and to some extent the government as a whole, I don't think that interment camps will happen again. There are laws and regulations put in place to prevent that kind of thing. Not to mention the pure logistics of getting such a place set up - there are a million permits that would have to be cleared to even build the place. I also think that, despite the terribleness of today's media & "news" conglomerates, that the media - who, with the exception of Rupert Murdoch publications, overwhelmingly liberal - would get people fired about it as well.

However, the whole situation at the border with the kids being put into cages and some of the horrible things people are saying about unaccompanied children, makes me question if interment camps could happen again.

So maybe it's already happening. How does a single one of us REALLY know what they are doing with those children, especially those of us up here in the north. We need video drones.

[crazyforkate]

Remembering how off-kilter everyone was after 9/11, and all the hysteria that came of it, absolutely, it could have happened - though I doubt the government would have chosen to publicize it in any case. Things were really messed up for a good long while after the attacks. Never underestimate a population in fear.

[Phoenix]

George Takei talks about the impact of the Japanese American internment camps on himself and his family.

http://www.upworthy.com/he-didnt-reveal ... y-took-off

[CallmeChaCha]

If America had wanted to put people of Middle Eastern dissent in relocation camps after 9/11 would people allow that? Would someone step up and say that it was wrong? Have we moved away from that mentalility?

I remember this actually came up after 9/11. Now, whether it was a widespread idea or just a local idea, I don't know, but I do remember having discussions about this. I feel now as I felt then - no way would I stand by and watch it happen again, and I think the rest of the world would join us in fighting against such disgusting actions.

I do think it's possible the government could start doing that without too many people knowing, but I don't think they could keep doing it too long, like they did with the Japanese. I would love to believe we would fight against it, but then there are those who are quite good at fear mongering and I just don't know. I mean, look at all the disgusting comments about the two Americans with Ebola that were brought home, in part, thanks to the news for making it seem like a bigger threat than what it really was. People were blaming those 2 for going to Africa to help, and saying they should be left over there to die. WTF

[Mandysue]

I too would be very vocal about it. It makes me cringe when people, mostly conservative teabaggers, talk about Mooslims and ragheads. For me raghead is as bad as the n word.

It has amazed me that after the Oklahoma City bombing there wasn't a movement to all rednecks away or have all rednecks double checked at the airport. Still we are not afraid of white men. Although I do not agree with the extremist that hit the World Trade Center they were willing to die for their cause, unlike Timothy McvVeigh who thought it was okay to kill children but was not willing to die himself.

I think we (people as a whole) are afraid of what we do not know and things that look different than we do.

[Mama Mia]

The detention camps they have for undocumented immigrants are very similar, and many people spend a very, very long time in them with no outside contact. Granted, it isn't the same situation because they aren't citizens-- but I could easily see it expanded without much of an outcry. Some people would scream and yell and dedicate their lives to protesting full-time. But realistically, it would likely be like any other atrocity - 15 minutes of outrage and on to the next thing.

[Mama Mia]

The detention camps they have for undocumented immigrants are very similar, and many people spend a very, very long time in them with no outside contact. Granted, it isn't the same situation because they aren't citizens-- but I could easily see it expanded without much of an outcry. Some people would scream and yell and dedicate their lives to protesting full-time. But realistically, it would likely be like any other atrocity - 15 minutes of outrage and on to the next thing.

Also, the Internet and social media is a double edged sword--- it can greatly increase awareness and spread information to huge groups of people. But on the other side there is so much paranoid crazy out there that many people assume Every thing they read is just the work of fringe groups and untrue. Plus propaganda works both ways. So while one group of people would be decrying the use of internment camps for x group -- another group would be spreading the word that they were needed.

Oops, didn't mean to quote myself. Dwerp.

[Katie_Bug]

Remembering how off-kilter everyone was after 9/11, and all the hysteria that came of it, absolutely, it could have happened - though I doubt the government would have chosen to publicize it in any case. Things were really messed up for a good long while after the attacks. Never underestimate a population in fear.

I agree; I also think it could happen. I too remember hearing about all of the horrible hate crimes happening to innocent people of Middle Eastern descent shortly after 9/11. I don’t think it would have taken much to persuade people to be ok with internment camps at that time for our “safetyâ€. :roll: People react irrationally in times of great distress and fear. I would hope though, that if something terrible like internment camps happened again, that they would be closed quickly with the same shame, embarrassment, and horror felt when thinking about past internment camps in the past.