by Ruth Sasaki
“From your letter the thing I would object to most is the lack of privacy….“
Imagine what it must have been like to be a San Franciscan in 1942 who suddenly had friends and acquaintances rounded up en masse and removed to prison camps.
My mother grew up in San Francisco and had Caucasian friends from school days. When her family was incarcerated in Tanforan and later Topaz, she was 23 years old. Through letters, she tried to stay in touch, and the responses she received and saved as treasures reflect her pursuit of normalcy in abnormal times.
May 24, 1942
To Tomiko Takahashi, Bldg. 80 – Apt. 3, Tanforan Assembly Center
From Margaret, Oak Street, San Francisco
I was so glad to hear from you and hope conditions are improved…
I can appreciate your anxiety over your (diabetic) mother’s diet…
From your letter the thing I would object to most is the lack of privacy…
Was your brother able to complete his college term? It seems that the University could make some provision to take care of this kind of a situation…
Perhaps when some of the confusion is ironed out at Tanforan I can come down to see you…
Margaret did come to Tanforan for a visit. My mother was never to forget the sight of her friend in her cardigan sweater, gloves, and heels, carefully navigating her way over train tracks to visit through the fence…
May 22, 1942
To Tomiko Takahashi, Bldg. 80 – Apt. 3, Tanforan Assembly Center
From Mandena, another school friend, 48th Ave., San Francisco
My dear Tomiko, your letter was very welcome and I was really happy to hear from you…
I received a letter from Kiyono; she sent her address, which I include for your information… (Kiyono is in Pomona Assembly Center)
Your letter expressed quite a courageous attitude about your new life there…
It is very wonderful of you doing your part to organize a nursery for the children…
Mandena was working at the Emporium department store downtown and offered to do any shopping if my mother or her family needed anything.