The Politics of Racism: The Uprooting of Japanese Canadians During the Second World War

The Politics of Racism examines the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Sunahara documents the government policies and political decisions that led to the uprooting of over 21,000 Japanese Canadians from British Columbia's coast. The book draws on government archives, personal papers, and interviews to reconstruct the implementation of these wartime measures. Through official correspondence and memoranda, Sunahara traces the roles of key political figures and bureaucrats in Ottawa who shaped and executed these policies. The narrative follows the progression of increasingly restrictive measures against Japanese Canadians from 1941 to 1949. Major focus is given to the mechanics of property seizures, family separations, and the administration of internment camps. This historical analysis reveals how racism can become institutionalized through democratic processes and legal frameworks. The book stands as a crucial examination of civil rights, governmental power, and the fragility of citizenship protections during times of crisis.

Readers cite the book's detailed research and documentation of the Canadian government's actions against Japanese Canadians during WWII. Multiple reviewers note its thorough use of primary sources and previously classified documents. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of the legal and political processes involved - Personal accounts and testimonies incorporated into the narrative - Inclusion of official documents and correspondence - Focus on economic motivations behind the policies Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging - Some sections contain excessive detail about administrative procedures - Limited coverage of post-war resettlement period Ratings: Goodreads: 4.33/5 (12 ratings) Amazon.ca: Not available WorldCat: No ratings "Meticulously researched" appears frequently in reviews. One reader on Goodreads calls it "the definitive academic work on this topic," while another notes it "reads more like a government report than a narrative history."

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🍁 Ann Gomer Sunahara first published this groundbreaking work in 1981, but later made it freely available online to ensure wider access to this crucial part of Canadian history. 🗂️ The book reveals that many of the government documents about Japanese Canadian internment were deliberately destroyed in 1945 to hide evidence of wrongdoing. ⚖️ While 22,000 Japanese Canadians were forcibly relocated, not a single case of espionage by a Japanese Canadian was ever discovered during World War II. 💰 The Canadian government sold Japanese Canadian property—including homes, businesses, fishing boats, and personal belongings—at a fraction of their value, often to benefit local white residents. 🏠 Unlike Japanese Americans who were eventually allowed to return to their home states, Japanese Canadians were prohibited from returning to British Columbia until April 1949, four years after the war ended.