After reading They Called Us Enemy the acts in the graphic novel sound rather familiar to the current state of our country. Currently it feels as if minorities are being casted aside and silenced by the negative people in power. As minorities we have proven that we can fight back against the racial injustice and discrimination that we endure. Through the recent Black Lives matter Protest as well as the Protect Asian Lives marches it has been shown that as a community it is possible to come together and fight for what is right. Even so, this was not always the case with the minorities in the past. The graphic novel educates its readers on the Japanese Internment camps and the struggles that our ancestors had undergone. At that time there was no way to fight back, they were discriminated against and seen as Aliens in America.

It is clear that minorities are fighting a battle against racism, prejudice, and unjust actions. We have tools such as social media where we can spread awareness and educate others on the issues and struggles that are present. Our past generations had to endure the discrimination, put their tails in between their legs, and stay silent while trying to live the “American Dream”. The sacrifices our ancestors made allow us to prosper today as well as fight for those who could not. As a community it is important that we educate the future generations and allow for people to be viewed as people and nothing more. People should be judged by their actions not by the color of their skin, ethnicity, or culture. I struggle to understand why we are still having this issue where people are getting treated poorly in a country that claims to be the greatest in the world.

In a free country those living in it should not fear leaving their households. Citizens should not fear of their grandparents or parents being attacked while they are going about their day. I sometimes ask what stopped the past generations from completely fighting back against the evil and speaking up. My conclusion was fear, the fear that stopped those from speaking up and the silencing of those who did not fear. Today flashing blue and red lights may traumatize some but do not affect others. I truly hope that we will eventually reach a point where there will be peace but that may be impossible. The image from the graphic novel can be seen as a metaphor to the silencing of minorities. In the story the Japanese were being transferred to the internment camp and were forced to close the blinds. We will improve our country and help to educate the future generation on what is truly right and wrong.