Interviews
Didn't have rights that whites had
We didn’t have all the rights that caucasians had, and it was because of racism. And, of course, when December 7th happened, it was also hysteria, and Americans also looked at December 7th from a very economic point of view. I mean, Japan had been working the land. I mean, she was given only the worst kind of desert land and she made it fertile. And so, other farmers—caucasians—it would be to their advantage if the Japanese were thrown out, and they could work the land. Uh so, I think on what are the civil rights we lost: I think, well, we never had all the civil rights. Uh, and I think, that’s how come, too, that there came to be a group called the “No No Boys.” Because, they felt it was more important to fight for civil rights, than to fight the enemy. I think a lot of Japanese felt they weren’t treated like a real American.
Date: June 16, 2003
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Karen Ishizuka, Akira Boch
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.
Explore More Videos
Okinawan discrimination
An expert researcher and scholar on Japanese immigrant clothing.
Experiencing discrimination as a child
Co-founder and creative director of San Jose Taiko
Importance of education in achieving redress for incarceration
(1919-2014) Activist for civil rights and redress for World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans.
His parents' experience with Japanese resistance toward intermarriage with Okinawans
(b.1925) Nisei of Okinawan descent. Had a 38-year career in Japan as a baseball player, coach, scout, and manager.
The birth of a novel through a conversation with her nephew
(b. 1934) Writer
Treatment of Kibei after return to United States
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Mixed emotions after declaration of war on Japan
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Decision to remain in the US and become an American citizen
(1940-2016) Issei Landscape Architect
Train ride to Jerome Relocation Center
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Atmosphere in his Merrill’s Marauders unit when surrounded by Japanese soldiers
(b.1913) Kibei from California who served in the MIS with Merrill’s Marauders during WWII.
Getting citizenship back
(b.1909) Nisei from Washington. Incarcerated at Tule Lake and Minidoka during WWII. Resettled in Chicago after WWII