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Show (Comnon Ground, Summer 1942) POLICY AND BY Carey McNilliums On the 1est Coast of the United otates our democracy is undertaking at the moment a herculean and utterly novel project: the evacuation and resettlement of approx~nately 117,000 men, wom,, m and children--virtually the entire Japenese population, American citizens and aliens alike, resident in this country. By rerson of the magnitude of the task and the difficulties and complexities involved, our social resources and ability to plan for democratic objecjectives are being challenged as never before. Here is a task which can well be the yeardstick for measuring the capacity of a democracy to function efficiently under the strain of unprecedented emergency. Here is a task which can be handled de~ocratically and fairly for the attainment of highly desirable social objectives, or mishandled and botched in a manner that will gravely reflect upon the ideals and standards which now, as never before, we are proudly emblazoning to the world. Because this project h s been undertaken in great haste, out of military rtecessity, without the advantage of precedent, it is natural to expect that mistakes in practice will be made (dozens have occurred already). But these initial errors are not of paramount concern; they can be corrected with a minimum of inconvenience and damage. It is the matter of policy, of objectives, ~hich is allimportant at the moment. To date no general ~olicy has been defined. It is still possible, therefore, to influence the objectives being formulated; but tomorrow they may have crystallized beyond hope of revision. A clear and comprehensive policy, formulated now would serve not only to minimize mistakes and discount the inevitable confusion of the moment but, most important, to reassure the Japanese ~mericans, to allay the understandable fears and misgivings of the evacuees. In the formulation of policy, the crucial considerations are, first, the type of perspectives. It cannot too often be emphasized in considering the evacuation progran, that we are experimenting with the lives and fortunes, the hopes and aspirations, of more than 100, 000 human beings. The matter of policy and perspective is, therefore the real concern of the moment. Before discussing perspective~ as such, it is important to realize that the evacuation program is not being undertaken in a social void or vacuum. On the contrary, it is being undertaken against a defini to background. /ve are involved in a ... var, world -wide implications and significance. It is a token of our good faith; it is & crucial test of the validity of our war objectives. The manner |
