Not Good Looking but Well Groomed
Recommendations letters or character witness letters for Kay Yamashita that were sent to the War Relocation Authority all recommended Kay's abilities. And a number of the recommendations commented on her physical appearance. Kay was very close to the people she considered her friends on the outside, and most likely would have been mortified to read these letters of recommendation. Did she place more faith and good will into her friendships than she received? Or were comments about appearance commonplace when recommending a female for any position? These excerpts provide an uncomforting look at Kay's friends putting it bluntly and divulging their opinions on her worthiness, her patriotism, and her appearance.
Sylvia Sorenson wrote, "Kiye is not a good-looking girl, but dresses in very good taste and is well groomed. The charm and friendliness of her personality overcome any possible negative impression she might at first make."
Josephine Duveneck wrote, “She is outgoing and friendly in her contacts and makes a very good impression, although she is not particularly good looking.
Leila Anderson of the Young Women’s Christian Association writes, “She was also active in our YWCA and had many good friends among Caucasian. I would say she is very much an American.
Elizabeth Goodman wrote, “She is thoroughly American in her attitudes and mannerisms’ it does not occur to those who know her to think of her as a Japanese. She is not good looking, but is rather smart looking, very well dressed, in good taste, and neat in appearance.
Robert Inglis of Plymouth Congregational Church in Oakland wrote, “Her devotion of America is unquestionable. She is adaptable and will find friends in the Caucasian community."
In another letter, Josephine Duveneck somehow found it necessary to again comment on Kay’s appearance, writing “She is a thoroughly American girl, bright outgoing, not pretty, but attractive because of her animation and friendliness.
If Kay were to ever read this letter, she would have been mortified. Kay and Mrs. Duveneck had a warm relationship and correspondence. Here are two examples: One letter from March 6, 1943 from Mrs. Duveneck to Kay remembers a time when Kay visited her at her ranch. She wrote to Kay again in October 1943 and on Easter. Kay's letter to Mrs. Duveneck on December 24, 1942 relays recent events including the case of a man who left Topaz during an authorized picnic in order to commit suicide. He was found by the authorities. These letters indicate that Kay had formed relationships with these women and shared stories of her day to day life, updating them on injustices and also her own experiences.
What does it indicate that Kay was sharing a friendship and sharing her experiences with these women who also wrote characeter witness statements which the government used to determine if and when she could leave detention? What does it show about the social dynamics of this period that so many of these letters make references to her perceived level of beauty? In writing a letter to the government, these friends and confidantes of Kay felt the need to remark on whether or not Kay was pretty. This may reflect on the level of importance that beauty carried in professional relationships, considering that this remark consistently appeared in letters about Kay's perceived loyalty to the United States. This segment of the exhibit explores the inter-related nature of the social contexts of Kay's friendsips; Kay found refuge and support among these women. She also experienced (whether aware or unaware) an underlying power difference, wherein her white friends had the ability to vouch for Kay's patriotism and had the arrogance to pass judgment on Kay's beauty as it related to the standard of women's beauty of the day (which notably were white standrads of beauty).
Josephine Duveneck wrote, “She is outgoing and friendly in her contacts and makes a very good impression, although she is not particularly good looking.
Leila Anderson of the Young Women’s Christian Association writes, “She was also active in our YWCA and had many good friends among Caucasian. I would say she is very much an American.
Elizabeth Goodman wrote, “She is thoroughly American in her attitudes and mannerisms’ it does not occur to those who know her to think of her as a Japanese. She is not good looking, but is rather smart looking, very well dressed, in good taste, and neat in appearance.
Robert Inglis of Plymouth Congregational Church in Oakland wrote, “Her devotion of America is unquestionable. She is adaptable and will find friends in the Caucasian community."
In another letter, Josephine Duveneck somehow found it necessary to again comment on Kay’s appearance, writing “She is a thoroughly American girl, bright outgoing, not pretty, but attractive because of her animation and friendliness.
If Kay were to ever read this letter, she would have been mortified. Kay and Mrs. Duveneck had a warm relationship and correspondence. Here are two examples: One letter from March 6, 1943 from Mrs. Duveneck to Kay remembers a time when Kay visited her at her ranch. She wrote to Kay again in October 1943 and on Easter. Kay's letter to Mrs. Duveneck on December 24, 1942 relays recent events including the case of a man who left Topaz during an authorized picnic in order to commit suicide. He was found by the authorities. These letters indicate that Kay had formed relationships with these women and shared stories of her day to day life, updating them on injustices and also her own experiences.
What does it indicate that Kay was sharing a friendship and sharing her experiences with these women who also wrote characeter witness statements which the government used to determine if and when she could leave detention? What does it show about the social dynamics of this period that so many of these letters make references to her perceived level of beauty? In writing a letter to the government, these friends and confidantes of Kay felt the need to remark on whether or not Kay was pretty. This may reflect on the level of importance that beauty carried in professional relationships, considering that this remark consistently appeared in letters about Kay's perceived loyalty to the United States. This segment of the exhibit explores the inter-related nature of the social contexts of Kay's friendsips; Kay found refuge and support among these women. She also experienced (whether aware or unaware) an underlying power difference, wherein her white friends had the ability to vouch for Kay's patriotism and had the arrogance to pass judgment on Kay's beauty as it related to the standard of women's beauty of the day (which notably were white standrads of beauty).
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