Compensation to Internees

After reading Shumway’s article, I thought here we go again, another one of our “friends” trying to help us out again. With friends like him, who needs enemies?

First let’s get the basics straight. What he seems to be saying is, the real issue is the U.S. governments responsibilities regarding past wrongs done to whole groups of people. These would be nonwhite people who have faced racism past and present.

Examples that come to mind are Afro-Americans and the Civil War promise of “40 acres and a mule,” recognition of the treaty rights of the independent Native-American nations and of course, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that was ratified by the U.S. Congress that recognized the land and language rights of Latino people.

In every instance, for non-European peoples the U.S. government and the white European-American politicians turned their collective backs on us, their “brother Americans” (brothers in time of war) in total and complete defiance of “our Constitution.”

This I believe is his real argument, if “we” give in to this group, then we will have to give in to the rest of “them.”

As for the monetary compensation, I have my problems also. First, like Shumway I have a problem with $20,000 (I’m not holding my breath either). It clearly is not enough.

For myself, I would opt for land reparations in the “Little Tokyos” and “Japanese Towns” of our cities and countryside, so that we, who would rather live within our subcultures, without discrimination can do so.

He speaks of fear of anti-Japanese bias by “ . . .veterans groups who fought in the Pacific Theater and American civilians here and abroad who suffered grievous losses.”

Now, doesn’t that sound like he’s talking about “them folks” from across the pond? My family has five generations on this soil and we sure as hell didn’t start a war!

As for me, I have more faith, not blind to sure, but that in the final analysis it can and will be shown, that we all have contributed to the caring and sharing of our America and that justice will win out.

Reparations now! To hell with fear of rekindled prejudices! Let justice be heard!

MO NISHIDA

Los Angeles