The Hill News

Who would have thought that my early childhood experience in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II would offer such useful insight 65 years later in determining the direction America is headed? In reflecting on Thursday's hearings on Muslim Americans â€" planned by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) â€" I feel like a mirror is being held up to my life, giving value to lessons learned as a child.

Make no mistake. Growing up in internment camp Amache in Colorado was no joy ride â€" just look at the pictures. We were treated like cattle in those camps. Never mind the fact that we were born in America. Never mind the fact that we were patriotic Americans and law-abiding citizens. Never mind the fact that we were constructively contributing to the American economy. Despite all this, hundreds of thousands of Americans suddenly became the enemy at the height of the war, with no cause, no crime and no constitutional protection. 

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