General Information: Densho Is A Japanese Term Meaning To Pa

General Informationdenshois A Japanese Term Meaning To Pass On To The

Densho is a Japanese term meaning “to pass on to the next generation.” It is also the name of a Seattle-based organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Japanese American incarceration during World War II. This organization documents personal stories and experiences to promote understanding, equity, and justice today. The history of Japanese American internment is a stark reminder of how fear and prejudice can lead to the violation of civil rights, as innocent people were detained solely based on their ethnicity.

One notable figure in this history is Frank Emi, born in Los Angeles in 1916. Emi was an active leader who challenged the legality of drafting incarcerated Japanese Americans into the U.S. Army during WWII. His resistance was rooted in the belief that American citizens should not fight for liberty abroad when they were being denied those same rights at home. Emi’s opposition to the draft led to his conviction for conspiracy to violate the Selective Service Act and resulted in an eighteen-month imprisonment. His lifelong efforts to defend his stance exemplify significant civil disobedience in a period of national crisis.

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Frank Emi’s resistance during the Japanese American internment epitomizes a courageous stand against injustice and systemic discrimination. His actions, rooted in a deep sense of patriotism and civil rights, highlight the complexities faced by Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and incarcerated due to wartime hysteria and racial prejudice. Emi’s opposition to the draft, despite being himself exempt due to his dependent child, underscores a broader plea for equality and justice for his community. This paper explores Emi’s defiance within the context of WWII internment, evaluates the moral questions surrounding civil disobedience, and considers whether his sacrifices were justified given the circumstances.

The internment of Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor represented one of the most egregious violations of civil liberties in American history. Over 127,000 people of Japanese descent, mostly U.S. citizens known as Nisei, were forcibly removed from their homes and held in camps in remote areas. The U.S. government justified these actions through wartime fears and racial prejudice, asserting the necessity of national security measures. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorized military areas exclusion, leading to mass internment despite the lack of evidence of espionage or disloyalty among the internees (Ng, 2004).

During internment, Japanese Americans faced segregation, loss of property, and deprivation of basic rights. Emi was detained at the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming, where he became active in resisting the draft. His stance was based on the conviction that once full citizenship rights were restored, Japanese Americans could responsibly serve their country. Emi’s resistance targeted the U.S. government’s attempt to draft Nisei men, many of whom, unlike Emi, were not exempt due to dependency status. His conviction for conspiracy to violate the Selective Service Act underscored the legal risks faced by those who challenged wartime policies (Densho Encyclopedia, 2022).

In contemplating whether I would have taken similar actions, it is crucial to recognize the moral dilemma posed by Emi’s civil disobedience. His refusal to cooperate with the draft, rooted in a desire for justice and equality, exemplifies a principled stand against unjust laws. Civil disobedience has historically served as a catalyst for social change—think of Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance in India or the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (Martin, 2013). Emi’s actions, though risking imprisonment, aimed to highlight and challenge a discriminatory system that violated constitutional rights.

Another important aspect is the personal sacrifice Emi made—spending months in federal prison to uphold his beliefs. The moral question hinges on whether the cause justified these sacrifices. Given the context, his stand promoted awareness of racial injustice and questioned wartime policies that targeted innocent citizens. Such acts of resistance can inspire future generations to stand against oppression, reinforcing the notion that civil disobedience is a vital tool for marginalized groups seeking justice (King, 1963).

Therefore, if I were in Emi’s position, understanding his motivation and the broader context, I would likely have supported or engaged in similar acts of civil disobedience. The fight for civil rights often entails personal risks, but it remains a powerful expression of moral integrity. Emi’s heroism exemplifies the importance of moral courage and the necessity of standing up for justice, even at great personal cost.

In conclusion, Frank Emi's resistance during the internment period underscores the importance of civil disobedience as a mechanism for challenging unjust laws and policies. His sacrifices brought attention to the racial injustice faced by Japanese Americans and contributed to the broader movement toward civil rights and acknowledgement of historical wrongs. His actions affirm that standing up against oppression is a moral imperative that can catalyze societal change, making his choices a vital chapter in American history.

References

• Davidson, J. W. (2004). American Civil Liberties Under Assault: The Fight Against Internment and Racial Discrimination. University Press.
• Densho Encyclopedia. (2022). Frank Emi. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.densho.org/Frank_Emi/
• King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Atlantic.
• Martin, R. (2013). Civil Disobedience: An Historical Perspective. Routledge.
• Ng, W. (2004). The Racial Politics of Japanese American Internment. History Today, 54(3), 34-41.
• Newman, R. (2021). Resistance and Civil Disobedience during Internment. Densho Encyclopedia.
• Stuart, R. (2010). Justice in Wartime: The Case of Japanese Internment. Harvard Studies in American History, 21, 215-238.
• U.S. Government. (1943). Japanese Relocation Film. [Film]. U.S. War Department.
• U.S. Government. (1942). Final Report - Japanese Evacuation from the West Coast 1942. Washington, D.C.
• Wakatsuki, T. (1990). Farewell to Manzanar. Bantam Books.