​RACE RELATIONS DURING WW2

This photograph was taken by Arthur Fellig on October 18 1942. The main subject in this photo is a six year old boy named Joseph Luparelli wearing his brother's uniform and holding a sign that reads "Down with the Japs The Rats." His brother passed down his uniform as well as his ideals. This illustrates that racism is a learned concept taught by family, society and culture. 

 

In the sign, "Down With The Japs" refers to our enemies in the War but also has a dualistic meaning, also referring to our Japanese-Americans. 

They are also referred to as "Rats". These words are fueled by the hostility against the enemy in World War II but also translates to Japanese American civilians. This portrays the idea that the Japanese are subhuman and seen as unwanted "pests" in American society. Rats are unwelcomed pests in our literal homes and our figurative home, America. 

 

The children in the photograph are smiling, suggesting that they do not know the full meaning behind the signs that advocate for racism. Furthermore, since they are children, it shows that racism is a learned concept. It is not something one is born with, rather, it is taught by family members, society/culture, and environment. 

 

It is also important to note that the subject's last name, Luparelli, is of Italian ancestry. Italians were also affected by Roosevelts' Executive Order 9066, which is the executive order issuing arrests and imprisonment of Japanese Americans as well as other ethnic minorities such as those of Italian and German descent. This illustrates a lack of intersectionality between oppressed groups showing that certain individuals do not perceive the similarities of discrimination. They side with the people in power to further assert their whiteness, which equates to being an American. Overall, American society advocates for white superiority and a systematic racist ideology.