They Called Us Enemy

George Takei's graphic memoir "They Called Us Enemy" delivers a powerful and deeply personal account of one of America's most troubling chapters: the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Co-written with Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott, with artwork by Harmony Becker, this work transforms historical tragedy into an accessible and emotionally resonant narrative that bridges past and present.

The memoir chronicles Takei's childhood experience as one of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and detained in incarceration camps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Beginning when Takei was just five years old, the story follows his family's journey from their comfortable Los Angeles home to the harsh realities of the camps, first at Rohwer in Arkansas and later at Tule Lake in California. Through the perspective of a young child trying to make sense of an incomprehensible situation, the narrative reveals both the innocence of youth and the profound injustice that shaped an entire generation.

The graphic memoir format proves particularly effective in conveying this story. Becker's illustrations capture the contrast between young George's limited understanding of events and the reader's fuller comprehension of the situation's gravity. The visual medium allows for moments of quiet reflection that might be lost in traditional prose, while also depicting the physical conditions of camp life with stark clarity. The artwork balances the darkness of the subject matter with moments of childhood wonder, showing how children found ways to play and maintain normalcy even in abnormal circumstances.

One of the memoir's greatest strengths lies in its examination of how different people responded to their incarceration. Takei's father emerges as a complex figure who participated in camp democracy and maintained his faith in American ideals despite the betrayal his family experienced. The book explores the tensions within the incarcerated community itself, particularly the divisive loyalty questionnaire that forced families to make impossible choices. These internal conflicts add nuance to a story that could have been presented in simpler terms of victims and oppressors.

The narrative structure moves between Takei's childhood memories and his later understanding of events as an adult. This dual timeline allows the memoir to provide historical context while maintaining the emotional immediacy of a child's experience. The book explains the political and racial prejudices that led to Executive Order 9066, the Supreme Court cases that challenged the incarceration, and the long struggle for redress and recognition that continued for decades after the war ended.

Takei's reflection on his parents' choices and sacrifices adds emotional depth to the historical account. The memoir explores how his mother and father worked to shield their children from the full weight of their circumstances while dealing with their own anger and disappointment. The family's forced separation when they were transferred to Tule Lake, designated as a camp for those considered disloyal, illustrates how government policies tore apart communities and families based on flawed assumptions and racial prejudice.

The connection Takei draws between his childhood experience and contemporary issues gives the memoir particular relevance. Without being didactic, the book invites reflection on how fear and prejudice can lead democratic societies to abandon their principles. The parallels to modern debates about civil liberties, immigration, and the treatment of minority communities emerge naturally from the historical narrative rather than being imposed upon it.

The memoir also serves as a tribute to the resilience of the Japanese American community. Despite losing homes, businesses, and years of their lives, the incarcerated families worked to maintain dignity and hope. Takei's own trajectory from child prisoner to acclaimed actor and activist demonstrates the strength that allowed a community to rebuild and persist in demanding recognition of the injustices they suffered.

"They Called Us Enemy" succeeds both as a personal story and as an educational tool. The graphic memoir format makes this difficult history accessible to readers who might find traditional historical texts daunting, particularly younger audiences. At the same time, the book offers enough depth and nuance to engage readers already familiar with this period of history. The combination of personal testimony and historical documentation creates a work that functions as both memoir and historical record.

The book stands as an important contribution to the growing body of work examining the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. By sharing his family's story with honesty and clarity, Takei ensures that this chapter of American history remains visible and relevant. The memoir demonstrates how personal narratives can illuminate historical events in ways that statistics and policy documents cannot, making the human cost of injustice impossible to ignore or forget.