Many Americans value freedom and believe it is necessary to live a happy and meaningful life. To experience this sense of independence, many immigrants immigrated to America. However, American essayist H.L. Mencken contradicts this, asserting that not everyone desires to be free, rather they primarily desire attaining safety. Although freedom is necessary, safety has more importance in contemporary society during situations like global pandemics and world wars. When pandemics strike the world, people prefer safety over individual liberty because taking precautions for the public's health is necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread global virus, causing governments to implement stricter safety precautions and lockdown measures. Governments …show more content…
The order changed the lives of many Japanese Americans in the United States. The Executive Order 9066 during World War II was an important moment that prioritized safety over freedom and equality. Due to fear of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Truman's decision to exclude Japanese Americans from their homes and communities emphasized that many thought that Japanese Americans were a threat to their safety. The exclusion of Japanese Americans during this period demonstrated how Americans went against their values of liberty promised in the country for immigrants. The exclusion of Japanese Americans from their homes and communities during World War II has been debated. Critics argue that this was a violation of their civil liberties and a violation of personal principles. However, the similarities between this historical event and the COVID-19 pandemic reveals that balancing individual rights with safety is difficult. The Japanese exclusion policy was implemented as a necessity for national security during a difficult time, while the COVID-19 restrictions were motivated to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of a deadly