Internment and War on Terror

Race and racial projects have historically been central to warfare.  In service of war, entire groups of people are constructed as traitorous, dangerous, and not fully human.  During World War II, this sort of racialization helped justify the internment of Japanese Americans.  In more modern times, we seem similar work to justify the War on Terror. 

This inaugural Special Collection project (2009) provides entries on both the Japanese American Internment and the so-called "War on Terror."   Funded by a generous grant from the California State Library through its California Civil Liberties Public Education Program, this Collection provides concise, accurate access to key concepts, event, and cases.  It naturally highlights historical parallels and the constant danger of racial demonization when national security is threatened.