<Begin Segment 40>

AI: Well, then also in the '80s, as you were teaching and confronting some of these questions together with the Sansei and the class, that was also a period where there was quite a bit of activity and support of the redress movement.

CN: Yes.

AI: Did you have much discussion about that?

CN: Oh, lots. Lots and lots. And we did what we could and maybe we could have done more, but it was, it was exciting. And there, again, we were forced openly, publicly, to talk about our experiences during World War II.

AI: You're referring to the commission hearings?

CN: Yes, uh-huh.

AI: What was that time like?

CN: Oh, I... it was exciting as well as forcing us to go over it another time. And this time we were free to let our anger out. Whereas the very first time, the anger was just too much, and we couldn't even quite understand why this was happening and what the fallout of this would be so we kept the anger under control. And, but during the commission hearings and all that, all this came out and people were able to freely talk about theirs and their friends' experiences and reactions. And so, the JACL was... many people felt that they didn't do enough to protect the Japanese during and leading up to World War II and after, but, well, maybe I shouldn't say after, but during, I mean. But after, certainly they came through with flying colors, and they will continue to really work very hard for civil rights for everyone.

<End Segment 40> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.