As part of this lesson plan, teachers could also assign projects where students design protest posters inspired by events in They Called Us Enemy or write persuasive speeches on why no one should ever have their rights taken away due to race or ethnic origin.Īs your students move through the text, focus on exploring its characters and themes. Census Bureau’s loyalty questionnaire sent out to all Japanese Americans living in internment camps during WWII or those who wrote letters advocating for the rights of their fellow internees.

Another lesson plan might focus on how individuals protested against injustice such as those who refused to answer questions on the U.S. For example, students could research how other minority groups were treated during World War II by exploring writings from African Americans and Jewish Americans who were affected by racism at that time. Lesson Plans Around Themes in They Called Us EnemyĮducators can also create lessons around themes found in Takei’s graphic novel. This could be done through group work or student-led discussions while the teacher facilitates. After reading the book together as a class (or assigning it as homework) teachers should encourage students to discuss the emotions that arise when reading such an emotionally charged story. To start off a lesson or unit on Japanese American internment camps, teachers can ask students what they know or think about this topic before introducing them to George Takei’s graphic novel. Themes of racism, discrimination, and civil disobedience are woven throughout Graphic Novel They Called Us Enemy and can be used by educators to generate thoughtful conversation with students about these issues. By providing context before diving into the text, you’ll help your students make more meaningful connections while they read.įacilitating Discussion About Japanese American Internment Camps In addition, you may want to show photos or videos of Japanese internment camps so that students have a better understanding of what life was like for internees. This can be done through pre-reading activities such as having students read excerpts from Takei’s autobiography or researching other examples of discrimination throughout US history. The best way to introduce ‘They Called Us Enemy’ to students is by setting up a discussion around key questions related to the story. Let’s explore how to approach this book in the classroom.

It offers an important window into one of the most shameful periods in American history and provides a valuable lesson for teachers on how to discuss racism and injustice with their students. George Takei’s graphic novel They Called Us Enemy is a powerful, thoughtful story about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. George Takei’s Graphic Novel They Called Us Enemy full novel study lesson can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers by clicking HERE.

They called us enemy graphic novel