Howard: Through the imprisonment of West Coast Japanese immigrants, the government challenged traditional gender roles & patriarchy. There was an increase in the economic & social independence of women; however politically they remained limited. Some of the issues in this era derive from the question of identity in American culture. The difficulties with race, nationality, and gender provided a combative path for the Japanese American prisoners. Are the women in these camps defined more by their race or gender? By proving their American identities, conformity called for the embrace of white heterosexual culture. However, these camps promoted independence among women and families. Promoting conformity and independence created two opposing sides that established an unique dynamic within the internment camps.

Kozol: The photography of the era exposed the citizenship, humanity, and conformity of Japanese immigrants, which eased racist fears.

Howard: Although the internment of Japanese prisoners was a problematic, racist policy, it prompted a challenge to patriarchy.

Creef:  Orientalism shaped the perception of Japanese Americans during internment years, the photography displays the double identities these prisoners carry.