Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain: Networks, Power, and Everyday Life

On August 8, 1942, 302 people arrived by train at Vocation, Wyoming, to become the first Japanese American residents of what the U.S. government called the Relocation Center at Heart Mountain. This book explores the creation of networks at Heart Mountain, as well as movement to and from the camp between 1942 and 1945, using historical "big data" drawn from the War Relocation Authority and narrative sources. It offers an unusually detailed look at the formation of a society within the incarcerated community, specifically the manifestation of power, agency, and resistance. Kekki constructs a dynamic network model of all Heart Mountain residents and their interconnections, using historical "big data" drawn from the War Relocation Authority and narrative sources.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2024
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

On August 8, 1942, a remarkable event unfolded in Vocation, Wyoming, as 302 individuals arrived by train, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Japanese Americans. These individuals were the first residents of what the U.S. government referred to as the Relocation Center at Heart Mountain. In the subsequent weeks and months, a staggering 10,000 individuals, comprising two-thirds of the more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent, would join them. These individuals, who included U.S. citizens, were unjustly incarcerated as "domestic enemy aliens" during World War II. Heart Mountain transformed into a vibrant town, boasting a range of workplaces, social groups, and political alliances. These networks, the focal point of Saara Kekkis' Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain, hold immense significance. Interconnections between people are the very essence of human societies. By delving into the formation of networks at Heart Mountain, as well as the movement of individuals to and from the camp between 1942 and 1945, this book provides a remarkably detailed account of the creation of a society within the confines of the incarcerated community. Kekki employs historical "big data" sourced from the War Relocation Authority and narrative sources, including the camp newspaper Heart Mountain Sentinel, to construct a dynamic network model encompassing the residents of Heart Mountain and their intricate interconnections. Within this incarcerated community, life continued unabated, with individuals marrying, having children, pursuing employment, and engaging in political activities. The prolonged duration of incarceration led to the institutionalization of many, rendering them hesitant to leave the camps when the time came. Nevertheless, Kekki's research reveals that the majority of individuals took control of their own destinies, despite the injustice they faced. They remained resilient and looked forward to the day when Heart Mountain would be a distant memory.
Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain is particularly timely in its implications for ongoing debates surrounding immigration and assimilation. It sheds light on the experiences of a marginalized group and challenges prevailing narratives of exclusion and marginalization. Through meticulous research and analysis, Kekki offers a fresh perspective on the history of Japanese Americans during World War II, highlighting their resilience, agency, and determination in the face of adversity. This book serves as a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complexities of human societies and the enduring impact of historical events on individuals and communities.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 184 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806193908