Exile in the Desert: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family is a primary source written by Yoshiko Uchida. Uchida and his family were among many Japanese-American families who were forced to live in concentration camps in the United States during World War II. In these “relocation centers,” Uchida and other Japanese Americans endured great injustices and dehumanizing acts at the hands of the U.S. government. In his memoirs, Uchida said: “The army…had made no attempt to introduce for us even the most common civilities of life in these camps. »[1] Despite their setbacks, the Uchida family made the best of their situation. In Desert Exile, Uchida tells a universal story of maintaining happiness and humanity despite great oppression. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Uchida's father, Takashi, was a successful businessman and first-generation Japanese immigrant. Immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Takashi Uchida was physically separated from his family, friends, and business. Takashi, along with 90 other leaders of the Japanese community in his area, were eventually sent to an internment camp in Missoula, Montana, and labeled as "enemy aliens." Later, Takashi will be able to join his family in their “relocation center” in California and then in Utah. Despite being completely removed from home and having many, if not all, of his rights taken away, Takashi clung to what made him happy and, more importantly, what made him made you feel human. Uchida perfectly describes his father's perspective on life towards the end of his memoir. “[his involvement] allowed him to care for and help others, the two essential ingredients of his life. » [2] By helping to lead organizations within the internment camps, Takashi continued to live his life as he wished while remaining in captivity. Takashi would work on projects ranging from funeral processions to communicating relations between prisoners and the military. He did all this without needing recognition or compensation. Takashi even completed these tasks despite threats from his fellow Japanese internees. By staying busy while helping other humans, Takashi courageously retained his humanity despite dehumanizing oppression. Yoshiko Uchida, the author of this memoir, also displays her incredible willingness to cling to humanity and glimpse glimpses of happiness throughout the dark and abandoned times of her internment. Uchida writes that his family was moderately wealthy and happy before their forced internment. She describes regularly having guests at home, having nice clothes to wear, and not noticing the effects of the Great Depression within the family home. These instances of happiness stood in stark contrast to the dreary conditions of the camp. It would have been easy for Uchida to become gloomy about her situation, but she didn't. Instead, Uchida often found beauty in as many situations as she could. “The voices quieted and the car fell silent as we all looked out at the vast, glistening body of water, forgetting for a few moments our tired and aching bodies. »[3] This quote is one of many in which Uchida interrupts her story to explain the beauty she saw in the midst of terror. Rather than allowing oneself to be consumed by the negative aspects of one's situations - as the agitators at.