How does Jeanne's fear of "Oriental faces" affect the way she views her classmates on Terminal Island? What myths and misinformation might lead her to label them as "tough and mean, like ghetto kids everywhere"?

The Japanese-American family at the center of this story experienced a certain level of racism before World War II, an excessive and brutal display of racism during the war, and lingering aspects of racism following the war. The entire point of internment camps was supposed to be national security during World War II. Jeanne had to learn to believe in herself and her own beauty. She is considered sub stsndard by most Americans but is able to find herself as well as the truth behind racist attitudes.