In the 1900s, many people left their homeland and moved all the way to America in hopes of achieving the “American Dream” which is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. 

The thing that shocked most of these immigrants was that life was not as easy and straightforward when they moved to America, especially for Japanese immigrants. In history, there is always conflict somehow no matter what.

In the 1920s, a young Japanese American girl named Kiki lived on a farm with her family in San Jose, California. They grew corn and worked long hours from day to night. Kiki loved playing in the fields with the flying birds and helping her parents harvest. Her favorite part of the day was herding the horses into the barn. 

One day, Kiki overheard her parents talking about how they were disliked and discriminated against in America because they were Japanese Americans. People would treat them unfairly so they avoided going into town whenever they could. They knew it wasn’t their fault, but there was almost nothing they could do. That’s how society perceived them to be. Regardless, Kiki’s parents always told her to be proud of her heritage.

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Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. Suddenly, everything changed. Kiki and her family were seen as enemies. They had to leave their home fast. They packed whatever they could and left their farm the next morning. They couldn’t though. They were stopped by soldiers who looked to be heartless.

Kiki and her family were then put on a train with a bunch of other Japanese Americans. They did not know where the train was going. They just knew the journey was long and scary. It was dirty and cramped. Kiki gripped onto her mother’s hand the entire time.

Suddenly, they were put in an internment camp located in Tule Lake Segregation Center, specifically for Japanese Americans.  The living conditions were terrible. It was hot and dusty. Barbed wire everywhere. The food was barely edible. They had no shoes, and they slept on the hard ground. Armed guards never left the gates. Kiki missed her old life, but she stayed strong for her family. 

Despite the hardships, Kiki’s family attempted to make the best of their situation. They grew a small garden, started a mini school to teach other children, and became close friends with others in the camp. They formed a close-knit community and supported each other through the hard times.