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Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 12:54:26 PM EST
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Fred Korematsu died at 86 this week.

Fred Korematsu, 86, who unsuccessfully fought Japanese American internment camps during World War II before finally winning in court nearly four decades later, died March 30....

Mr. Korematsu became a symbol of civil rights for challenging the World War II internment orders that sent 120,000 Japanese Americans to government camps. His conviction for opposing the internment was overturned in U.S. District Court in 1983.

Mr. Korematsu helped win a national apology and reparations for internment camp survivors and their families in 1988. He was honored by President Bill Clinton in 1998 with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He was an unsung hero.

His legacy is the reminder that the Constitution must protect basic rights, even in wartime.

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    Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero | 8 comments (8 topical)
    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#1)
    by scarshapedstar on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 02:47:57 PM EST
    Or, as Michelle Malkin might say, he was a traitor. And as Glenn Reynolds might say, "Heh. Indeed."

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#2)
    by Peter G on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 02:51:51 PM EST
    A reminder, as well, that if individuals do not stand up for and insist upon their rights (and those of others), even at the risk of considerable personal cost, then we have no rights.

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#3)
    by Johnny on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 07:54:50 PM EST
    He was a great man. One of the sickest things about the concentration camps in this country during WWII was the drafting of Japanese males who were actually penned up at the time. Talk of hypocrisy!

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Apr 03, 2005 at 08:09:40 PM EST
    A truly great American! Everyone should read Justice Frank Murphy's dissent in the 1944 Korematsu Supreme Court opinion. Brilliant, and touches home today, too!

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 04, 2005 at 07:04:31 AM EST
    Arigato Korematsu-san. Imagine Tom DeLay et al in 1944? History has a funny way of sorting out the heroes and villains.

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 04, 2005 at 08:16:21 AM EST
    RIP. He is certainly admirable for standing up against one of the most shameful episodes in the history of our country. If I may add something to Peter G's comment above, it is notable that the Japanese-Americans who were drafted did not sulk at the unfair treatment to which they were subjected. Instead, they went out and showed incredible bravery, and I have heard that their combat units were awarded more Congressional Medals of Honor than any other.

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 04, 2005 at 09:18:06 AM EST
    Notable in what way, Spainster? What if they had all refused to go in protest? Should they have been jailed? (Oh yeah, they already were). ...just playing devils advocate...

    Re: Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero (none / 0) (#8)
    by Johnny on Mon Apr 04, 2005 at 01:42:31 PM EST
    Many of them did refuse, and went to prison as a result. They were called (disparagingly) "no-no boys".

    Fred Korematsu: Unsung Hero | 8 comments (8 topical)