Racial Prejudice Towards Asian Americans in Trach Chee’s We Are Not Free

Abstract

This study examines the representation of racial prejudice in Traci Chee’s historical novel. The narrative recounts the traumatic experiences of a group of Japanese American teenagers who were forcibly displaced from their homes and confined in internment camps, where they endured systemic discrimination and profound loss during World War II. The objectives of this research are twofold: first, to identify and analyze the various forms of racial prejudice depicted in the novel; and second, to explore the ways in which Japanese Americans respond to such prejudice. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the study analyzes selected textual excerpts using Gordon Allport’s theory of prejudice (1954) as its primary theoretical framework. The findings reveal that racial prejudice is manifested through multiple forms, including antilocution, discrimination, segregation, and physical violence. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that Japanese Americans respond to these injustices through diverse strategies such as enlisting in the military, fostering solidarity within their community, and engaging in acts of protest.