living conditions
Sadly, Japanese-Americans spent longer than anticipated at these temporary centers. Conditions were unsanitary and food was scarce. Evacuees recall long lines for mail, food, showers and other amenities. Rose Nieda, who was evacuated to the camps at age 19, recalled: “You run to the latrine. You run to take a shower. You run to get a washbasin to wash your clothes.” The longest lines were for meals and some evacuees would faint from heat as they waited in line for food.
The food quality was poor and unlike the diet to which many evacuees had been accustomed. “Meticulously prepared, exquisite fresh food had always been an important part of the Japanese way of life. Many of the assembly-center meals consisted of hash, pork and beans, and canned hot dogs. Almost totally lacking were the fresh fruit and vegetables that not only were a pivotal part of the Japanese diet but also were the very products that so many of the internees had grown before being imprisoned.” Furthermore, the dining experience lacked the family dynamic important to many families. The Japanese culture values dining together as a family but the crowded food halls made this virtually impossible, further harming the family dynamic.
Many years later, former internees confessed that “humiliation” was one of the worst aspects of living at the camps. Crowded conditions eliminated any form of privacy. Sometimes families of eight people would be housed in a 20x20 foot room; and four married couples would be forced to share a single room.
Finally, the bathroom situation was particularly humiliating because the camps only had latrines, long rows of ditches where people went to the bathroom. Many women had to tried to forego the bathroom in the daytime and go at night so they had some privacy. Others carried cardboard to shield their body from others.
Internees were humiliated and dehumanized further when visitors came to the camps and stared at them like they were an exhibit. However, eventually the Japanese-Americans were moved to relocation centers.
The food quality was poor and unlike the diet to which many evacuees had been accustomed. “Meticulously prepared, exquisite fresh food had always been an important part of the Japanese way of life. Many of the assembly-center meals consisted of hash, pork and beans, and canned hot dogs. Almost totally lacking were the fresh fruit and vegetables that not only were a pivotal part of the Japanese diet but also were the very products that so many of the internees had grown before being imprisoned.” Furthermore, the dining experience lacked the family dynamic important to many families. The Japanese culture values dining together as a family but the crowded food halls made this virtually impossible, further harming the family dynamic.
Many years later, former internees confessed that “humiliation” was one of the worst aspects of living at the camps. Crowded conditions eliminated any form of privacy. Sometimes families of eight people would be housed in a 20x20 foot room; and four married couples would be forced to share a single room.
Finally, the bathroom situation was particularly humiliating because the camps only had latrines, long rows of ditches where people went to the bathroom. Many women had to tried to forego the bathroom in the daytime and go at night so they had some privacy. Others carried cardboard to shield their body from others.
Internees were humiliated and dehumanized further when visitors came to the camps and stared at them like they were an exhibit. However, eventually the Japanese-Americans were moved to relocation centers.