Final Thoughts / Conclusion
All things considered, when examining any photo of Japanese internment, it is important to keep in mind that no single photo tells the whole story. This essay’s analysis of five photos with a specific focus on context (specifically the presence of parents and other children) does not claim to be the final word on understanding photography of children during internment. Instead, through an examination of various photographs, this essay aims to understand the way in which Japanese American children approached their internment. Context proves to be an important factor in the child’s framework for understanding internment, and it is reflected in the photographs examined in this essay. It would be valuable to explore the other essays in this Densho exhibit to learn about other factors that influence the reactions of children in internment photographs, such as the identity of the photographer or historical context. Exploring the whole exhibit will lead to a more complete understanding of photography of Japanese American children during internment.
Works Cited
Alinder, Jasmine. "Introduction." Introduction. Moving Images: Photography and the Japanese American Incarceration. Urbana: U of Illinois, 2009. 1-21. Print.
“Child on Barracks Steps” (denshopd-p156-00022), Densho, the Bigelow Collection
“Family on the Steps of Their Barracks” (denshopd-p156-00021), Densho, the Bigelow Collection
“Fourth Grade Boys” (denshopd-p152-00017), Densho, the Evelyn Dell Collection
"Group of Omaha boys in cadet uniforms, Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880"; Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999; National Archives at College Park-Still Pictures, College Park, MD [online version available through the Archival Research Catalog (ARC identifier 519136) at www.archives.gov]
La Flesche, Francis. "Preface." Preface. The Middle Five. Madison: U of Wisconsin, 1963. Xv-Xx. Print.
“Mass Removal” (denshopd-p118-00002), Densho, the Yasutake Collection
“Summer Carnival” (denshopd-p160-00120), Densho, the James G. Lindley Collection
Works Cited
Alinder, Jasmine. "Introduction." Introduction. Moving Images: Photography and the Japanese American Incarceration. Urbana: U of Illinois, 2009. 1-21. Print.
“Child on Barracks Steps” (denshopd-p156-00022), Densho, the Bigelow Collection
“Family on the Steps of Their Barracks” (denshopd-p156-00021), Densho, the Bigelow Collection
“Fourth Grade Boys” (denshopd-p152-00017), Densho, the Evelyn Dell Collection
"Group of Omaha boys in cadet uniforms, Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880"; Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1793-1999; National Archives at College Park-Still Pictures, College Park, MD [online version available through the Archival Research Catalog (ARC identifier 519136) at www.archives.gov]
La Flesche, Francis. "Preface." Preface. The Middle Five. Madison: U of Wisconsin, 1963. Xv-Xx. Print.
“Mass Removal” (denshopd-p118-00002), Densho, the Yasutake Collection
“Summer Carnival” (denshopd-p160-00120), Densho, the James G. Lindley Collection