Documentary Review: Japanese American Incarceration: 1942-1945

This is a documentary about the National Park Service efforts to preserve the stories of the Japanese incarceration during WWII.  The documentary focusing mostly on Manzanar in California east of Kings Canyon, but also presents Tule Lake in Northern California, Minidoka in Idaho and Heart Mountain in Idaho.  Some of the camps preserved are from the efforts of local organizations while others are directed by the national Park service.
WWII was a very difficult time in our history.  The relocation camps were created by executive order from President Roosevelt.  It wasn't until President Reagan that an official apology came from the United States for our having denied these people their civil rights.
This film informed me of a website, densho.org which collects stories of those who lived int he relocation camps.  The efforts of this group are not to forget the stories of the people.  It points out that one of the major hurdles was at the end of the war and the people went back to their cities, having lost all, and being given only $25.  The struggle just began for many of these families.
There were a total of 10 relocation camps, where 110,000 Japanese American citizens were interred.  I was disappointed not more was said of Topaz Mountain in Utah.  I have visited this camp.  However it is not very well preserved (or wasn't when I visited.)

California Governor Culbert Olson

Culbert Olson was governor of California from 1939 to 1943.  He was a self proclaimed progressive and atheist.  He was my great-great uncle through marriage on my mom's side.
History has to judge whether Olson was a good governor or not.  He had been in politics in both Utah and California.  He was a staunch supporter of President Franklin Roosevelt.  Being an atheist he refused to say, "So help me God," as part of being sworn in.  Instead he said, "I will affirm."  Being a supporter of Roosevelt, he favored the forced removal of all Japanese from coastal areas, and relocation to inland camps.  "Testifying before a U.S. House committee on March 6, 1942, Olson, a longtime supporter of nearly every Roosevelt position on economics, politics and foreign policy, supported the move wholeheartedly. "Because of the extreme difficulty in distinguishing between loyal Japanese-Americans, and there are many who are loyal to this country, and those other Japanese whose loyalty is to the Mikado.  I believe in the wholesale evacuation of the Japanese people from coastal California." (Wikipedia quoting the United Press)
Olson lost his reelection bid to Earl Warren.  During his period as governor he battled with the Republican controlled legislature and the Roman Catholic Church.

Culbert Olson

Family of Culbert Olson with President Roosevelt