Mine Okubo During World War II

Are you born in America but you have a different heritage? During World War II, even though Mine Okubo was born in America, she was identified as a rival to the Americans because she had a Japanese background. This led to her being transferred to isolated internment camps. Louie Zamperini was an Olympian runner who enlisted into the army. After a disaster of his assigned plane crashing into the ocean, he was captured by the Japanese and transported to camps. Both Mine Okubo and Louie Zamperini had to endure challenges in the course of World War II. Japanese-American internees and American Prisoners of War (POWs) felt “invisible” and “resisted invisibility.”
Internees and POWs will face the feeling as if they are invisible, or separated and

hidden from others. For instance, Louie Zamperini was placed into a cell at an Ofuna POW camp. “There were dozens of men in cells near him, but there was no sound. In this warren of captives, Louie was alone.” (Hillenbrand 147) In spite of the fact there were many other prisoners located in the same area as him, Louie felt segregated because he was forbidden to interact with them. A Japanese sergeant who mistreated the prisoners of war and tricked them into eating is another example. “One day, the Bird ordered all POWs outside, where they found a truck brimming with apples and oranges. As the famished men grabbed for the fruit, photographers snapped the photos. Just as the men were ready to eat, the order came to put it all back.” (Hillenbrand 194) According to a demand by the Japanese sergeant Mutsuhiro Watanabe, known as “the Bird,” all the prisoners were asked to clasp onto fruits from a truck. Given the fact that photographers took pictures of the scene and that the POWs were forced to return the fruits back, this implies invisibility. The Americans might be in relief to see their allies eating healthily, when in reality they’re starved and are rarely given food. The last occurrence proving invisibility is Mine Okubo’s experience. “We were close to freedom and yet far from it… streams of cars passed by all day. Guard towers and barbed wire surrounded the entire center. Guards were on duty day and night.” (The Life of Mine Okubo) The guards and barbed wire are just like shields, hiding the internees from the outside world. “Invisibility” is what internees and POWs will undergo.
In contrast to the feeling of being in solitude, internees and POWs may withstand “invisibility.” To demonstrate, Mine Okubo won a contest and therefore prepared to leave for New York.

“She took a chance by entering a Berkeley art contest through the mail and won.” (The Life of Mine Okubo) Mine was able to leave behind the isolation she experienced during the camps by winning the contest. Another case where invisibility was resisted was when Mine sketched her daily life in the camps. “Internees were not allowed to have cameras, but Mine wanted to document what was happening in the camps. She put her artistic talents to use making sketches of daily life inside the fences.” (The Life of Mine Okubo) Instead of using recording devices to reveal what internment camp life was, Mine used art. Likewise, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, also known as “The Bird,” was a Japanese sergeant who mistreated the prisoners of war. “Time ticked on, and still Louie remained, the beam over his head, his eyes on the Bird’s face, enduring long past when he should have collapsed.” (Hillenbrand 213) Watanabe’s central target was Louie Zamperini because of his running career in the past. As a result, he often abused Louie more than the other prisoners. Prisoners of war and internees will “resist invisibility” while in the

camps.
Internees and Prisoners of War (POWs) will face obstacles that make them feel “invisible,” and they’ll “resist invisibility” by doing activities that give them strength and hope. Both Mine Okubo and Louie Zamperini encountered events during World War II.