The Inside Story Of The Successful Campaign For Japanese American Reparations

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned during World War II. The campaign for reparations was a long and difficult one, but it was ultimately successful due to the efforts of a dedicated group of activists.

Redress: The Inside Story of the Successful Campaign for Japanese American Reparations

by John Tateishi

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1461 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	399 pages

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The roots of the campaign

The campaign for Japanese American reparations began in the early 1970s, when a group of activists led by Mike Masaoka formed the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). The JACL lobbied Congress to pass legislation that would provide reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned. In 1976, the JACL succeeded in getting a bill passed by the House of Representatives, but the bill was defeated in the Senate.

In 1981, the JACL launched a new campaign for reparations. This time, they were joined by a coalition of other Japanese American organizations, including the National Council for Japanese American Redress (NCJAR) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). The coalition worked together to build support for reparations among the American public and in Congress.

The turning point

The turning point in the campaign for reparations came in 1982, when the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) issued its report. The CWRIC concluded that the internment of Japanese Americans had been a "grave injustice" and that the U.S. government should provide reparations to the victims.

The CWRIC report gave the reparations campaign a much-needed boost. It provided the activists with a strong moral argument for reparations and it helped to convince Congress that reparations were necessary.

The final push

In 1987, the JACL and its allies introduced a new reparations bill in Congress. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it was signed into law by President Reagan in 1988.

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned during World War II. The reparations included a lump sum payment of $20,000 and an apology from the U.S. government.

The legacy of the campaign

The campaign for Japanese American reparations was a long and difficult one, but it was ultimately successful. The campaign was successful because of the efforts of a dedicated group of activists who never gave up on their goal of justice.

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 is a landmark piece of legislation that has helped to redress the wrongs of the past. The Act provides a model for other groups who are seeking reparations for past injustices.

Lessons learned

The campaign for Japanese American reparations provides a number of lessons for activists who are working to achieve social justice. These lessons include:

• Never give up on your goals, no matter how difficult they may seem.
• Build a coalition of allies who share your goals.
• Use the media to build support for your cause.
• Educate the public about the issue you are fighting for.
• Be patient and persistent. Social change takes time.

The campaign for Japanese American reparations is a shining example of how activists can achieve social justice. The lessons learned from this campaign can be used to help other groups achieve their goals of justice and equality.

Redress: The Inside Story of the Successful Campaign for Japanese American Reparations

by John Tateishi

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1461 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	399 pages

FREE