Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
National Japanese American Memorial, World War II, civil rights activism, Japanese Americans
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
History
Abstract
On November 9, 2000, the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism during World War II was dedicated in Washington, D.C. The dedication followed years of struggle and controversy, culminating in the creation of a nationwide grassroots campaign advocating “a fair and accurate” memorial. Much of the debate centered around the inclusion of a quote by Mike Masaoka, who would be identified on the monument as a “Civil Rights Advocate” despite his support for unquestioning compliance with the government’s evacuation orders. This reopened debate over the appropriate stance toward Executive Order 9066, the government’s order to evacuate and relocate individuals of Japanese ancestry in the Western states during World War II, as well as questions about what constitutes civil rights activism.
Recommended Citation
Larson, Lindsay and Richards, Dr. Mary Stovall
(2013)
"Memorializing the “Worst Side of Our History” The Creation of the National Japanese American Memorial,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 286.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/286