Hunger strikes

Definition

Hunger strikes are non-violent protests where individuals refuse to eat in order to draw attention to a cause or demand changes from authorities. In the context of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, hunger strikes were a method of resistance against the injustices faced in the internment camps. These acts highlighted the determination of the internees to assert their rights and push back against their confinement and treatment, ultimately serving as a powerful statement of civil disobedience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hunger strikes in the internment camps were often organized by groups of internees who aimed to draw attention to their unjust treatment and demand better living conditions.
2. One notable hunger strike occurred in 1943 at the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming, where internees protested against the draft of Japanese American men into the military.
3. The actions taken during these hunger strikes received media coverage, which helped raise awareness about the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during this period.
4. Hunger strikes exemplified a broader trend of resistance among internees who sought to maintain their dignity and assert their rights in the face of systemic oppression.
5. These nonviolent protests highlighted the moral dilemmas faced by both the internees and the government, as they raised questions about justice, loyalty, and civil rights.

Review Questions

• How did hunger strikes serve as a method of resistance among Japanese Americans in internment camps?
  • Hunger strikes allowed Japanese Americans in internment camps to express their discontent with their treatment and demand changes from camp authorities. By refusing to eat, they were able to garner attention to their plight and unite other internees around shared grievances. This method of protest was significant as it showcased their resilience and desire for dignity in a dehumanizing situation.
• What impact did hunger strikes have on public perception of Japanese American internment during World War II?
  • Hunger strikes had a considerable impact on public perception by drawing media attention to the harsh realities faced by Japanese Americans in internment camps. The coverage of these protests highlighted not only the conditions within the camps but also raised questions about civil rights and government policy. As stories of hunger strikes circulated, they helped shift some public opinion against the injustices of internment and fostered greater awareness of the need for justice.
• Evaluate the role of hunger strikes in the broader context of civil rights movements throughout American history.
  • Hunger strikes play an important role in the narrative of civil rights movements by demonstrating how nonviolent resistance can be used to challenge systemic injustice. In examining hunger strikes from various movements, including those by Japanese Americans during World War II, one can see a consistent theme: marginalized groups using this tactic to assert their humanity and demand change. This form of protest has influenced later civil rights campaigns, illustrating its effectiveness in drawing attention to critical issues while maintaining moral high ground.

Related terms

civil disobedience: A form of protest in which individuals intentionally break laws or regulations to challenge governmental authority and advocate for social change.

Japanese American internment: The forced relocation and incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, primarily on the West Coast, due to wartime hysteria and racial prejudice.

nonviolent resistance: A strategy for social change that rejects the use of violence and instead employs peaceful methods, such as protests, demonstrations, and hunger strikes.