They Called Us Enemy Main Ideas

Racism

They Called Us Enemy explores the idea of underlying racism in America and the effect that war can have on it. Immediately after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941), white Americans begin targeting Japanese citizens, destroying their property. Politicians use this racism for their own gain, which is especially devastating. Attorney General Earl Warren uses racist rhetoric, like the idea that Japanese Americans cannot be trusted, not only to increase racism among white Americans but ultimately to set into action the events that end with Japanese Americans being taken prisoner without evidence of any crimes committed or allegiance to Japan. 

Racism not only costs George and his family their freedom but also wounds them deeply in their spirits. Daddy and Mama have worked hard to build a life, only to be demeaned by living in horse stalls and squalor. They face the wrath of guards who call them racial slurs, and even after they leave the camp, the family experiences racist treatment. George provides the example of Mrs. Rugen and explores the idea that racism has caused him shame, though he did nothing to be sent to the camp.

Takei responds to the racism he experiences by breaking barriers and educating others. His entire Hollywood career aims to break the stereotype of Asian Americans as seedy or dumb characters. Some of his projects, like Allegiance, even take on the issue of Japanese internment head-on. George credits Daddy with giving him the strength to combat racism.

Democracy

Through the story of the Takei family’s experiences in Japanese internment camps, They Called Us Enemy demonstrates that the ideals of American democracy are not always upheld in practice. By seizing property and imprisoning Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants not accused of crimes, the government betrayed the freedom, right to due process (the idea that a person’s liberty or property can’t be taken without a reason), and other constitutional rights of those people. It’s clear that Japanese internment should have been illegal, but it took years for those imprisoned to gain freedom and decades for the government to acknowledge its wrongdoing.

The memoir also explores the ways in which democracy was alive during this time, however: Japanese protests in the camp are one very visible form of protest, a tenet of democracy. But there are other forms of protest, as well. George Takei theorizes that continuing to care for her family is a way that Mama protests the camp. In addition, answering the loyalty questionnaire “no-no” is another way in which Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans fight back against the American government’s manipulation and exercise their rights.

They Called Us Enemy also discusses the merits of democracy, particularly American democracy. Daddy is a large proponent of American democracy because it relies on the work of the people. He demonstrates this as he becomes a helper and community builder in the camp and, later, as he takes George to work on a presidential campaign in order to be part of the democratic process. Throughout the memoir, George explores the dual nature of a people’s democracy—its ability for greatness due to people’s ability to do great things and its failures due to human mistakes.

Community

They Called Us Enemy explains that the Japanese citizens living in the United States and Japanese American citizens sent to live in internment camps are imprisoned for only one reason—their Japanese descent. They committed no crimes, and there is no evidence that most were disloyal. They are simply targeted by the development of racist laws enacted because of widespread mistrust of the Japanese after Pearl Harbor (1941). As the government rips the internees from their homes, it disrupts entire communities. Yet those taken to the camps are then thrust into community with each other.

At Camp Rohwer and later at Camp Tule Lake, the internees develop a strong sense of community. Daddy is often at the forefront of this community building. Once at the camp, Daddy seems to find a sense of purpose in helping fellow prisoners, creating a community out of those whose communities and families have been ripped apart due to internment. Daddy says and models that people need to come together to help one another in community. Their survival depends on it, and it is the only way they will be able to stand up for themselves. This idea is connected to his belief in America as a “people’s democracy.” He believes that working together can create change, and he instills this belief in his son.