Steven Wong March 24, 2014 Ethnic Studies: Asian Americans Asian American Communities during World War

II Asian Americans during World War II for the most benefited with the exception of the Japanese. When World War II started for America, the catalyst was the attack on Pearl Harbor which was made by the Japanese Empire. America knew that they needed to cast off those isolating chains before more of America would be wounded. So naturally the citizens and propaganda portrayed Japanese as the worst of all the Asians. Between the Chinese, Korean, Filipinos, and South Asians they all shared that benefit that they were looked upon as the safer Asians, the not as bad Asians. These Asians also managed to get jobs in skilled trades because of vacancies or just because of general public opinion is greater. Many Chinese and Filipinos joined and served in the army showing their patriotism towards America. In addition the Immigration Exclusion was lifted for the Chinese in 1943, for the Filipinos and Asian Indians/South Asians in 1946. Executive Order 8802 prohibited racial discrimination in employment which helped all the Asians. Other Asians were encouraged to purchase land owned by Japanese Americans. Both the Koreans and the Asian Indians want their origin countries to be Independent. The Chinese officially became allies with the United States on December 8th, 1941, both declared war on Japan. The Chinese Exclusion Act made most Chinese male, and they were draft age, the Chinese had the highest draft rate of all the Asian national groups. Chinatowns helped American war efforts by contributing supplies, and labor. Many Chinese Americans saw this war as a way to prove their loyalty and patriotism to the America, so they

actively took part in any way to help. Eventually when Naturalization was allowed to the Chinese, it was difficult for the Chinese because they needed to provide proof of legal entry, English language competency, and knowledge of American history and the Constitution. Only about 59 Chinese entered the United States between 1944 and 1952. Only about 1428 Chinese were naturalized in approximately one decade. The Filipinos fought together with the United States military against the Japanese at Bataan and Corregidor but they were not seen as domestic soldiers, they were seen as foreign nationalist. On February 19, 1942 the first Filipino Infantry Regiment was created, almost half of Californias Filipino Americans registered for the first draft, the reward was citizenship after service. Filipinos were encouraged to take over Japanese lands and holdings by the Alien Land Law. The Filipinos that served in the army were not granted citizenship after being released from the military because Congress passed Title 38 part 1 chapter 1 section 107 or Rescission Act which took away Filipino soldiers rights of being recognized as an active member in the U.S. Armed Forces. Filipino American servicewomen helped by smuggling food and medicine into American POW camps. They carried information and did reconnaissance of Japanese deployment. Koreans were welcomed to the war; they wanted to destroy Japan because they had their homeland taken away by the Japanese. The Koreans wanted to restore the Independence of Korea. On December 7, 1941 the Korean National Association in Los Angeles promoted unity during war, and should work to help out both Korea and the U.S. The members wore a badge to identify themselves for security purposes. In 1940 Alien Registration Act classified Koreans as Japanese subjects, so they were classified as enemy aliens. Koreans were special because they knew the Japanese language, so they became teachers, translators, propaganda broadcasters, and

worked in the intelligence agency in Japanese-occupied territory in Asia. About 20 percent of the Korean population in Los Angeles joined the National Guard forming the Tiger Brigade. Asian Indians found out about the Atlantic Charter which they saw as an opportunity to fight for independence for India. Congress supported changes in favor of the Asian Indians because the Japanese wanted all Asians to join them creating a race war. In addition Congress saw the importance of India as an ally during the World War II. In 1946 Congress permitted immigration quotas from India and allowed naturalization for them. If not for the immigration and naturalization laws changed the East Indian communities would have become extinct. Overall Asian Americans played a role in World War II to set examples of what not to do for example the Japanese Internment camps. In addition despite all the racism many Asian Americans were willing to fight for a country that would not own them. To be a part of something because you love it but are not given the same respect is quite honorable.