<Begin Segment 17>

AI: Well, and then, let's see. It was the mid- and late-1970s that the Japanese American redress movement started going, and my understanding, from talking to some people, and reading, also, is that some people felt that maybe that wasn't a very good idea at first, that, when I say "some people," I'm referring to actually Japanese Americans who were afraid that there might be a backlash against them, against Japanese Americans, if they were to be asking for redress.

WW: Uh-huh.

AI: And I'm wondering, what do you recall about hearing about redress, and did you have a sense whether it might be a good idea or perhaps not such a good idea?

WW: I felt that it was a good idea, not necessarily because of the monetary amount which was given, which was actually a pittance, really. Really didn't compensate in any way, shape, or form, for what was lost materially, or psychologically. But I do think the main thing, or important thing, was that there was a, apology was made. I think that was the most important thing. And that, I thought, was really something that should have been done, and was done, and was thankful for it.

AI: Well, it, of course, it took a long time.

WW: Yes.

AI: It was 1981 that the Commission on Wartime Internment and Relocation of Citizens [Ed. note: referring to the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians], or commonly called the Redress Commission, had their hearings around the country. So that was in 1981, and then it wasn't until 1988 that the redress bill was passed in Congress, President Reagan signed it, and then it wasn't until 1990 that the apologies and the checks were, the early ones were received.

WW: Right.

AI: So, and do you recall ever having any conversation with your parents about the redress, or were they alive and able to receive redress themselves?

WW: They were alive, my, both my parents were alive and were able to receive redress, however, I don't remember a lot of conversation in regards to it, really. My sister, who was a year-and-a-half older than me, died in '75 at age forty-one, so therefore she did not receive it, so...

AI: What about yourself? When you actually got your apology in the mail and opened it with the check, what was your reaction? What was your response?

WW: I thought it was nice, in a way, however, at the time, I was established well enough that it really wouldn't have affected me either way, materially, monetarily, but I felt that since it was part of the apology, I felt that I could accept it and be appreciative of the fact that we did get something.

AI: So for you it was, sounds like it was more the apology, that really...

WW: Yes. Right, right.

AI: Well, after you received your redress, then did you say anything about it to your kids, or did they ask anything about the redress? Or were they aware that you received redress?

WW: I believe they were aware of it. Of course, at that time they were old enough to know the significance and so forth. I don't recall, really, making a big issue of it or talking to 'em about it, really.

AI: Right.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2004 Densho. All Rights Reserved.