I started the day in Greenwood with an urban paddle on the Yazoo river. I was wondering if the river's ecosystem was really messed up or if they took in the wildlife on Sundays since everything else was closed. Alas, I finally happened on two blue herons and a male cardinal. After nabbing two donuts for me and Buddha at Honest Abe's donuts and a coffee at McDonalds (I haven't seen a Starbucks since Little Rock), we were on our way back across the mighty Miss to Rowher.
Concentration camps in America
Yes, that was a thing here as well as in Germany. After the Japanese bombed Pear Harbor, Nisei (born in the US of Japanese parents) and Issei (Japanese who had immigrated here) were forced to leave their homes and businesses to live in internment camps throughout the US. Two were in Arkansas -- Jerome and Rohwer. I visited Rowher Sunday.
There is not much evidence left that the camps existed except for a cemetery of those who died while imprisoned. Actor George Takei and his family were interned here and he narrates the exhibits. The land, originally 10,000 acres intended for poor Americans, was quickly repurposed into a camp for almost 9,000 Japanese who lived on 500 acres. The rest was farmed. Many of the Japanese actually gone to sign up for the US Army but were turned away and then sent away. The governor of Arkansas did not want them here but was persuaded when he was assured that they would fenced in and have armed guards who were white.
As "man" power for the war started to dwindle, the American government re-assessed its position on Japanese service in the military. After making them take an odd oath of allegiance (it asked them to declare they were no longer loyal to the Japanese emperor to whom they never had been), the 100th Battalion and the 442 Regiment were formed. They went on to serve in the European theater and were the most highly decorated until during WWII. All this while their families were still interned.
As I visited on Sunday, the museum was not open, so Buddha and I walked the grounds that are now cotton fields.
I opted to stay west and parallel the Mississippi in Louisiana til I got to I20 to head back east to Vicksburg. There is some really beautiful areas along the river, but the towns, again, are desperately poor. I thought I might stay in Tallulah (I mean you gotta love the name), but I feared finding any place to stay that met minimum standards. I continued on toe Vicksbug, and stopped at the wayside on re-entering Mississippi. From a hill high on the banks, I enjoyed a lovely sunset, while I chatted with Diana and was parted from $500 because she needed new tires. I caught the last of the sunset from the 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill "downtown" Vicksburg.
Then it was off to the Best Western that will be home for three nights as I work and try to see the battlefield.
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