Go For Broke Brochure

              THE RETURN
In December, 1944, the War Department revoked the mass exclusion
order. Although many internees left on their own volition, those left were
then ordered to leave the camps where they had lived for two years. There
was fear and uncertainty, especially among the older Issei who had no one to
depend on and no place to go when they returned to California. Even the
younger internees were apprehensive about returning to the West Coast communities which had rejected them at the beginning of the war. On returning,
many people found their homes ransacked, and personal possessions gone.
Those who were fortunate had places to return to. There were some lucky
families who had neighbors safeguarding their property and working the
farms. Most were not so fortunate. The rest took shelter in churches where
hostels were set up to accommodate them until more permanent homes
could be found. Some had their homes shot into. Many were refused service
by grocers and other merchants. However, there were some loyal friends and
Christian church members, who warmly welcomed the returnees and assisted
them in starting their life anew.
AFTER FORTY YEARS - THE TRUTH
Fred Korematsu was a native born American citizen who refused to obey
the evacuation order. He was convicted and spent time in jail. In 1944 the
U.S. Supreme Court affirmed his conviction, but he never gave up the fight
to clear his name and regain his honor.
Finally, in April, 1984, after carefully reviewing the evidence produced
by a team consisting mainly of young Sansei attorneys, a United States Federal Court Judge reversed Fred Korematsu's conviction. The Judge found that
the internment had been based on misleading and incomplete information
about the Japanese Americans put forth by government officials. Fred Korematsu and his fellow Japanese Americans had finally, officially, regained their
honor.
1984
The Issei, save a few in their 80's and 90's, are now gone. Their children,
the Nisei, have now reached retirement age and look forward to enjoying the
fruits of their labors and delight in enjoying their children and grandchildren.
As ideal Americans raised in a more accepting social atmosphere, better
educated, materially sufficient and surrounded and supported by loving parents and grandparents, the Sansei now take their place in the community. As
long as their dearly held principles of diligence, honesty, kindness, respect,
cooperation, perseverance and love for their fellow man — which were ingrained by their Issei parents — live on, there is the rich promise that the
Americans of Japanese ancestry will continue to prosper and be seen as the
role model for the "perfect American citizen."
Special Thanks to Yoshino Hasegawa and the Fresno County Free Library, Japanese
American Project Collection, and to Eric Saul and "Go For Broke, Inc." for the materials in
the exhibit and this article.
"GO FOR BROKE!
99
"THE STORY OF THE JAPANESE
AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT FOR
THEIR COUNTRY IN WORLD WAR II
IN EUROPE AND THE PACIFIC"
&
A PHOTO HISTORY OF THE
JAPANESE AMERICANS OF
THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Presented by
The American Loyalty League/Fresno Chapter
of the Japanese American Citizens League
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Posts 5869 and 8499,
and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum
October 6 thru December 9, 1984