Impressions of student relocation in South Dakota

Childhood shame for being Nikkei in Enumclaw, Washington Recalling Pinedale and Tule Lake concentration camps Impressions of student relocation in South Dakota Challenges of finding a summer job Why I joined the Japanese American Citizens League Becoming active in the Civil Rights Movement Figuring out a dollar amount for redress Deciding to serve on the CWRIC On hearing of CWRIC selection from Senator Inouye Personal feelings as a Nikkei commissioner A memorable CWRIC testimony of an unjust situation Understanding the passion behind the people giving testimonies Rationale for rejecting redress payment Post-redress future of Japanese Americans

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The answer is no [as to a choice of a college]. I had made an application to go to the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. I was turned down by the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy apparently had some kind of research program going on there. When they learned that a Japanese American was seeking admission to the University of Colorado, they vetoed it. Again, idiotic, absolutely insane, un-American. So a friend of mine was going to Dakota Wesleyan and been accepted there, and said, “Why don’t you come with me and go to Dakota Wesleyan?” So I did. That’s where I ended up.

Date: August 27, 1998
Location: Pennsylvania, US
Interviewer: Darcie Iki, Mitchell Maki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

college discrimination racism