Title:
Letter from Mizuye [Hirose] to [Afton] Nance, 1944 Jun 24
Creator:
Hirose, Mizuye, 1925-2008
Subject:
"Nance, Afton Dill "
Japanese Americans-- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
Description:
Handwritten letter from Mizuye [Hirose] to [Afton] Nance, 1944 Jun 24.
4614-D Newell, Calif. June 24, 1944 Dear Mrs Nance, Some times I wonder why I’m here after living all my life before
the war in Palos Verdes is here I felt no discriminations. Even after I’m send to Japan I wish to think the whole United
States people as that peaceful loving residents in Palos Verdes. Teachers of Malaga Cove were always sweet and pleasant
to us as to any other Caucasian students. Mrs. Macmillan who always was ready to help and recomend us to pick the right sort
of books. When I was preparing to leave Palos Verdes I stopped in the library for the last time and she gaved me the most
encouraging words anyone had given to me until then. She told me not to feel two bad about being evacuated from there. She
continued saying its better for us because she thought there were some narrow-minded people who would liked to blame everything
on us when things go wrong in that region. Even then I lost that “trust” which I cherished so long for the United States.
I still love the United States as its stands for but for some of the people in it who are making this place unlivable for
others who wants freedom and happiness. I wish many of these thought-less people will read and really study the history of
this country. When I read the preamble of the Constitution, it brings tears to my eyes, thinking why don’t the “We the people”
study that and not just recite it. I know many of these people are just forgetting that others are exsisting. It makes me
angry when I read in the newspaper that there are “strikes” here and there. These strikers who think we Japanese are dangerous
that we might sabotage this country. They are doing more harm to this country than we ever did by just having been born a
Japanese. If thats the way they feel they are not preserving the rights of the people but just for themselves. Why can’t
majority of the people be like you? Trusting, and helping others, thinking of the future of the people and not just for your
self and todays luxury. Couple of weeks ago I recievied a V-mail from Pfc Ben Okuye who is now over seas. I admire him
for having faith enough to volunteer and I hope the people have faith in him not to let him down. Most sincerely
yours Mizuye P.S. Mutsuo’s head has swollen up a little when he recievied A in Algebra, A in Biology, B in
English and B in History Miz
Publisher:
Japanese American National Museum
Date:
1944 June 24
Type:
text;
Format:
1 item ( 3 p. letter) ; sheet 26 x 18 cm.
Identifier:
JANM_037
2001.175.185
Language:
eng
Relation:
Coverage:
Newell (Calif.)
Rights:
Copyrighted;
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki
National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org).
Japanese American National Museum
Letter from Mizuye [Hirose] to [Afton] Nance, 1944 Jun 24