“Equal as a human being”

Basic Training A visit to Jerome after OCS Resisting transfer from Jerome Appearance vs. Combat Effectiveness Fully aware of discrimination in America They had to succeed Do it for all Asians People with talent in the 100th infantry battalion “Agreement of silence” Horrible pictures of war Near-death experience General Ryder’s faith in the 100th infantry battalion 442nd’s contribution to redress Comfortable in combat “Equal as a human being” Commitments for a better life

Transcripts available in the following languages:

And if there’s ever a difficult group, it’s a bunch of veterans that have fought through wars, [laughs] because you’re never gonna be able to push them around at all, you’re never go be able to push them one iota to the left or to the right, forward or backward, if they don’t want to move, they’re not gonna move and they’re gonna tell you so. So I think, and to a great degree, I think, many of the great success stories of the 100th, members of the 100th, 442nd, come from that very trait of being to be able to look anybody in the eye and be able to say I’m you’re equal. May not be talent wise, or otherwise, but I’m you’re equal as a human being.

Date: August 28, 1995
Location: California, US
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

100th 442nd veterans