Barely three months after Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, allowing for the relocation of anyone on the West Coast deemed a threat to national security.
Soon, nearly 100,000 people of Japanese ancestry (many born in America and half of them children) were assigned identification numbers and loaded into buses, trains, and cars with just a few of their belongings. After a brief stay at temporary encampments, they were moved to 10 permanent, but quickly constructed, relocation centers — better known as internment camps.
Departing for relocation. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
In 1943, renowned photographer Ansel Adams visited one of the camps.
Adams was best known for his landscape photography, with his work appearing in galleries and museums across the country. But he welcomed the opportunity to see and capture life at the Manzanar War Relocation Center in the fall of 1943.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
These are just a few dozen of his photos capturing the unthinkable experience of being a prisoner of war in your own country.
Life at the internment camp was hard on the body and spirit.
1. Nestled in Owens Valley, California, between the Inyo and Sierra Nevada mountains, the camp faced harsh conditions.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
There were relentless blasts of desert dust, heat during the day, and punishingly cold temperatures at night.
2. There were 10,000 people crowded into 504 barracks at Manzanar, covering about 36 blocks.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
3. Each barrack was divided into four rooms, shared toilets, showers, and a dining area, offering families little to no privacy or personal space.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
Furnishings and creature comforts were sparse. Just a cot, a straw-filled mattress, and blankets. Up to eight individuals shared a 20-by-25-foot room.
4. Due to the severe emotional toll and inadequate medical care, some Japanese Americans died in the camps.
Marble monument with inscription that reads "Monument for the Pacification of Spirits." Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
Others, including some at Manzanar, were killed by guards, allegedly forresisting orders.
Though he was a civilian employed by the military, Adams was able to capture aspects of the camp that the government didn't want depicted in his work.
5. The housing section at Manzanar was surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by military police.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
But shots of armed soldiers, guard towers, or barbed wire weren't allowed, so Adams worked around it. Instead, he captured these subjects in the background or the shadows.
6. So while he couldn't take a photo of the guard tower, he took one from the top of it.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
As serious as conditions were, internees attempted to make the most of an unimaginable situation.
7. They were allowed to play organized sports, like volleyball.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
8. Baseball games were popular too.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
To maintain order, teams of players from each center were allowed to travel from camp to camp to play ball.
9. Churches and boys and girls clubs were established.
A Sunday school class at the internment camp. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
10. There were singing groups.
The choir rehearses. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
11. And even a YMCA.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
In the face of adversity, everyone did their best to stay busy.
12. Kids went to school...
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
13. ...had recess...
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
14. ...and studied for uncertain futures, all behind barbed wire.
Students listen to a science lesson. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
15. The adults worked inside Manzanar. Some maintained the dusty, arid fields.
There were 5,500 acres of land for agriculture at Manzanar. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
16. They grew crops like leafy greens and squash.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
17. Or raised cattle.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
18. Others worked as welders...
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
19. ...nurses...
A nurse tends to babies at the orphanage. Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
20. ...scientists...
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
21. ...or shopkeepers.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
22. Workers earned $12 to $19 a month. Some pooled their earnings to start a general store, newspaper, and barbershop.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
By the end of the war, more than 11,000 Japanese Americans had been processed through the Manzanar camp.
And despite being held for supposedly posing a threat to national security, not one Japanese American was charged with espionage.
Photo by Ansel Adams/Library of Congress.
The Manzanar camp closed in 1945. Japanese Americans returned to neighborhoods and homes they barely recognized. And 45 years later, they received a formal apology.
In 1988, after a decade-long campaign, Congress passed The Civil Liberties Act, which required the government to pay $20,000 in reparations to each internment camp survivor. In 1990, the first of nine redress payments was made. A 107-year-old reverend, Mamoru Eto, was the first to receive his payment. Later, President George H.W. Bush delivered a formal apology.
"I took that as evidence that — in spite of the things the government did — this is a country that was big enough to say, 'We were wrong, we're sorry," one survivor told the BBC.
By standing up to hysteria and xenophobia — and refusing to forget this unforgivable era in American history — we can continue to do right by the thousands of Americans put in an unthinkable situation.
These photos remind us of why we will never go back to a place like that again.
Our mouths loves chips. Our bodies not so much.Photo by 
You can eat well without giving up sweets completely.Photo by 
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.