Looking back, another thought

In reviewing for the second exam, I went back and read through the Japanese American legacy project site. Looking at the causes of internment, a history of racism, wartime hysteria, failed leadership, and economic motives were all included. I find this somewhat eerie because I think there is a correlation in these issues resurfacing through the occurrence of 9/11. For example, a wartime hysteria, questionable leadership, economic motives, and history of racial conflict have all been present. For example, I think that after 9/11people of Middle-Eastern descent have faced heightened prejudices and discrimination. In fact, one of my friends told me whenever he travels on an airline, he is frequently questioned and patted down because of his racial appearance, which is a result of our nation's post-terrorist attack hysteria, suspicion, and security. One could also argue that there has been questionable leadership through the more-than-a-decade-long escapade into the Middle East. More significantly though, is the reoccurrence of economic motives. While the circumstances are certainly different between the Japanese internment and the United States' involvement in the Middle East, it is striking how economic motives play a role in the nation taking certain actions. Would the Japanese have been put in the intern camps if their prosperous success was not a threat to our own? Similarly, would the United States have entered the Middle East if we were not dependent on that area for oil? Also, how does the hysteria of an attack effect decision making, and can we count on our leaders to do the right thing?

In similar fashion, after the Holocaust, the world said, "Never again. Not another genocide." Yet, genocide has occurred again and again, and in a variety of places. Economic motives, prejudices, failed leadership, and hysteria from all of this also seem to be causal in reoccurrence, as well as determining factors in a nation's involvement or lack thereof. I do find it a little disturbing when history seems to repeat itself.