Dear Editor,
I am glad we live in a country where we are free to express our differing views. I heartily agree that America has been magnanimous in victory and generous in peace, as Linda Bearman noted [“Letters to the Editor” March 14]. However, the dismissive tone of her letter regarding the Japanese American interment and the summary suspension of their rights warrants, I believe, a little more history.
During World War II, over 100,000 Japanese Americans were held in concentration camps. These camps were not prison facilities as we think of prisons, but tar paper and wood barracks, surrounded by guard towers and barbed wire, located in deserts and desolate areas. The prisoners were not only men, but women, children, infants and the elderly. Most were citizens, their only crime being of Japanese descent. There was no trial, no assumption that their rights as citizens were being violated.
Some of the “finer moments and battles fought and won” Linda refers to were fought during World War II by the 442 Combat Battalion, made up of Japanese Americans. The 442 was one of the most decorated units of the war, and suffered the most casualties of any unit of its size. These men fought for the country they loved and respected, while knowing their families were held in the prison camps. Many died not knowing if their sacrifice would help their families become free after the war.
While America was magnanimous in victory in Japan, doing much to rebuild as Linda noted, it was not so generous with its own citizens. Most lost everything, since the Relocation forced them to only take what they could carry into the camps. Businesses were looted and gutted, and professionals could not recover their losses. It took 40 years for the American government to redress the losses of the Japanese Americans, many who had died before their losses were acknowledged.
I hope that Linda’s closing comment was not intended to imply that I do not support our soldiers in the upcoming conflict, because she would be wrong. But it is often said that those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In a letter of apology written in October 1990 as part of the Japanese American redress, then-President Bush (senior) noted:
“We can never fully right the wrongs of the past. But we can take a clear stand for justice and recognize that serious injustices were done to Japanese Americans during World War II. In enacting a law calling for restitution and offering a sincere apology, your fellow Americans have, in a very real sense, renewed their traditional commitment to the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice.”
How ironic in my mind that our current administration is seeking to relax our rights to “protect” us as the government suspended the rights of Americans in World War II under the same rationale. How quickly we forget!
Paul Alvarez
Professor of Movement and Sports Science
Dear Editor,
Reading the article on “Foxy Boxing” was interesting [“Women sold on ‘Foxy Boxing’,” Feb. 28]. Girls being paid to fight, whether they win or lose in the sport? It almost made me wish they had this for guys, as I might be inclined to take up the sport and the challenge. But there was some dichotomy into the issues some split opinions about “Foxy Boxing.” I can totally agree with the double standard; if guys can box, why can’t girls? I also pointed out to some nay-sayers that it’s not fair to judge a person based on their hobbies, such as boxing. Nor should we limit a person’s human ability and limit it based on who they are and where they go to college. However, that is another point that supports the contrary: this may reflect badly on our institution and student life. This point and other points from nay-sayers I had to agree with, as the standards of our school are sometimes the subject of debate. Co-ed intramural soccer has been very popular, traditional and fun. So how is “Foxy Boxing” practical? Why are the “Foxy Boxers” paid? Incentives? Business? This could send the wrong message about our school, ULV and what our female body is all about. Not to mention the conduct of female (as well as male) college students in general. We really should think about the pros and cons of “Foxy Boxing.” Though great and innocent as it is, just because we can, doesn’t always mean we should.
Richard Uranga
Junior
Paul Alvarez
