They Called Us Enemy — George Takei (2019)
Reflection
They Called Us Enemy is a searing, illuminating graphic novel memoir that chronicles George Takei's childhood experience in the Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Told in rich, accessible comic narrative, the book pulls the reader into the emotional reality of being uprooted, dehumanized, and confined simply because of one's heritage. What makes this work especially compelling as adolescent literature is its combination of visual storytelling with historical gravitas. The graphic novel format bridges the intense emotionality of a memoir with the accessibility many YA readers crave. It doesn't sanitize history, but instead invites readers to feel, not just learn, from the past.
What Stood Out
1. Universal Themes Through a Personal Lens - Takei's personal narrative, interwoven with the larger historical context of Executive Order 9066, places human faces and feelings onto abstract history. This helps readers grasp how political actions affect real families and real children.
2. Graphic Novel as a Powerful Vehicle for Memory - The artwork is intentional and evocative. Panel designs, pacing, and visual metaphors deepen the emotional impact beyond what text alone might convey. For adolescent readers who be more visual learners, this format becomes a gateway to empathy and critical historical awareness.
3. Relevance to Contemporary Issues - While grounded in mid-20th century history, the memoir resonates today with ongoing discussions about civil liberties, xenophobia, and belonging. It prompts readers to question narratives of nationalism, identity, and justice - making it relevant to teen readers navigating their ideas about self and society.
Personal Reaction
As I read They Called Us Enemy, I was deeply moved by how Takei reclaimed and shared a chapter of his life that many historical curricula marginalize or gloss over. What stayed with me most was how the memoir illustrates that injustice is not just a historical footnote; it affects children, families, and communities in ways that ripple across generations. This book reminded me of the power of firsthand memory. For adolescent readers, particularly those encountering stories that reflect trauma or marginalization, They Called Us Enemy doesn't just educate, it validates. It shows that individual narratives matter.
Critical Reflection
They Called Us Enemy situates personal narrative within collective historical trauma. Through the graphic memoir format, Takei explains the Japanese American incarceration experience through accessible means without diminishing its gravity. The visual narrative demands attention to expression, panel pacing, and spatial composition—reinforcing that memory is both textual and visual.
For adolescents, the memoir functions as a civic literacy text: it illustrates how fear and prejudice can erode civil liberties and invites readers to examine national narratives that are often simplified in traditional curricula.
The multimodal structure democratizes access to complex historical content, supporting comprehension for visual learners and offering an entry point to rigorous discussion for a wide range of readers.
Library & Instructional Application
- Strong pairing with WWII and constitutional rights units (social studies/ELA collaboration).
- Ideal for book clubs centered on civic responsibility and historical empathy.
- Supports visual literacy instruction and analysis of how images shape meaning.
- Supports Historical Literacy
- This graphic novel memoir is an excellent resource for U.S. History units on World War II, civil rights, and constitutional issues. It helps students engage with history on a human level.
- Expands Definitions of Literature
- Including They Called Us Enemy in YA collections signals that memoir and graphic novels are valued literary forms, not secondary to prose narratives.
- Programming Potential
- This book could anchor discussions, library displays, and cross-curricular integration (English/History). Activities such as graphic novel memoir circles, historical writing projects, and empathy-based discussions about "what would you do?" can deepen student engagement.
- Discussion Questions
- 1. How does the graphic novel format influence your understanding of the events described?
- 2. What similarities or differences do you notice between Takei's childhood experience and other histories of forced displacement?
- 3. In what ways does They Called Us Enemy help you think about fairness, rights, and civic responsibility?
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