Jeanne’s father is a citizen of Japan. He is prohibited by law from becoming a citizen of the United States. If he answers “yes” to both questions, what is he giving up? What is he gaining? What other options do he and others in the camp have?
That next February, the government requires the Loyalty Oath be signed by everyone seventeen years and older. The Oath requires that they be willing to serve in the Armed Forces on active duty. Also, they are to swear total allegiance to the government of the United States. This Loyalty Oath brings much argument and divisiveness to Manzanar. Many men feel the Oath is humiliating. Though the Oath helps to alleviate the crowding in the camps, it is difficult to accept, even for men who served in the Army during World War I. Many become militantly anti-American.
This Oath becomes the most disruptive issue of the camp. Men are divided as to whether the Oath should be signed, or if individual barracks blocks or the whole camp should refuse to sign the Oath. Men who are citizens, who fought valiantly during World War I, argue about the merits of the Oath, and the costs. The Oath questions their loyalty and insults their integrity. Many begin to argue against signing, some previously patriotic World War One veterans even suggest that they should return to Japan. They begin to try to force a block No, No vote on whole blocks of barracks. It is mandatory for all who are seventeen or older to sign the Oath. It cannot be ignored or avoided. The Oath becomes the most humiliating event of the camp experience.
