how did dorothea lange and ansel adams address japanese americans detained in relocation centers during world war II
Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams both played significant roles in documenting the lives of Japanese Americans detained in relocation centers during World War II.
1. Dorothea Lange: As a renowned documentary photographer, Lange captured the experiences of those affected by the Great Depression and later turned her focus to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. She worked for the War Relocation Authority (WRA), which was responsible for overseeing the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans.
Lange documented the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans from their homes, as well as their living conditions in the relocation centers. Her photographs aimed to bring attention to the unjust treatment and hardship faced by Japanese Americans. One of her most famous photographs, "Migrant Mother," depicts Florence Owens Thompson, a mother of seven, who had been displaced by the Dust Bowl and later also faced internment.
2. Ansel Adams: Adams is renowned for his black and white nature photography, but during World War II, he was appointed by the WRA to document the daily lives of Japanese Americans in internment camps. Adams' role was different from Lange's, as he aimed to showcase the positive aspects of Japanese American life and promote their loyalty to the United States.
Adams captured images of Japanese Americans engaged in various activities, including farming, schooling, and maintaining a sense of community. His photographs were intended to counter the negative stereotypes and prejudices that fueled the decision to intern Japanese Americans. However, Adams later expressed regret for not more critically addressing the unjust internment policies.
In summary, while Dorothea Lange focused on highlighting the hardships and injustices faced by Japanese Americans in internment camps, Ansel Adams aimed to present a more positive representation of their lives. Both photographers played vital roles in raising awareness about the internment and the impact it had on Japanese Americans.