Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams's Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration
What’s inside...
This important work of nonfiction features powerful images of the Japanese American incarceration captured by three photographers—Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams—along with firsthand accounts of this grave moment in history. After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of Japanese and Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Families and workers were forced to abandon their lives and live under harsh conditions in camps. Lange, Miyatake, and Adams documented life in Manzanar, a camp in the California desert. Lange aimed to expose the harsh realities, Miyatake smuggled equipment to capture life inside, and Adams sought to show the resilience of the incarcerated. In 'Seen and Unseen', Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamaki combine these photographs, accounts, and art to explore the history and injustice of the incarceration.
Discussion points
How do the photographs by Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams tell different stories about the same event?
What emotions do you feel when you look at the pictures of the Japanese American Incarceration, and why?
Why is it important to learn about this part of history through photographs?
How might the photographers have felt while capturing these moments?
What can we learn about strength and resilience from the people in these photographs?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each image, promoting a deeper emotional and intellectual connection to the historical events.
Discuss the significance of perspective in storytelling and how different photographers may portray the same event in diverse ways.
Highlight the importance of remembering history and the role of photographs in documenting truth and inspiring change.
Ask open-ended questions that foster critical thinking and empathy, helping your child connect historical events to the present day.
Create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable asking questions and expressing their thoughts about difficult topics.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through the powerful photographs and narratives of Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams, children learn about the lived experiences of Japanese Americans during their incarceration.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate diverse cultures and histories, fostering a sense of empathy. It encourages them to listen and understand the feelings and perspectives of others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The importance of historical awareness
Explanation: The book showcases the significance of remembering and learning from past events, particularly those that reflect civil injustices.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to recognize the value of history in shaping a fair society, and be inspired to learn more about their own and others' heritage.
Example Lesson: The power of art as a form of expression and resistance
Explanation: The works of the photographers exemplify how art can document reality and challenge societal injustices.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use creative forms of expression to voice their thoughts and stand against injustice, whether through drawing, writing, or other artistic endeavors.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking about media and propaganda
Explanation: The book provides a platform to discuss how photographs can be used both to reveal and obscure the truth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to question and analyze the media they consume, understanding its potential bias and the importance of seeking multiple perspectives.
Example Lesson: Resilience and hope
Explanation: Despite the harsh conditions faced by Japanese Americans, the book highlights moments of resilience and hope amidst adversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of hope and resilience in overcoming challenges, encouraging them to remain positive and persistent despite difficulties.