<Begin Segment 9>

BF: And so did the -- so it sounds as though the commission work sort of got you more involved in the redress movement.

CT: Yeah, then you know, because I was involved in getting the witnesses together and then the media was giving us all this attention, the radio and TV, we were asked to appear on TV talk shows and whatever. And we were interviewed by the newspapers. And the commission members as well and people like Min Yasui, he was there. And he's this very good talker, so he was always asked to appear on these shows and all. But as I talked, with being interviewed and all, I got accustomed to talking to people about the issue, and as a result, since then I -- people are always asking me to go to schools to talk to children. And I've appeared on all kinds of programs and things, and so now it's like a broken record. [Laughs]

BF: Now, when you first started really getting involved in this big way, was your family and friends, were they real supportive? Or were there -- 'cause this is still sort of early in the movement -- I'm sure people weren't exactly sure this would work.

CT: Yeah, no, I would have to say that a lot of people were not that supportive. My mother especially. Gosh, she thought I was crazy.

BF: What did she say to you?

CT: She said, "Oh, you're wasting your time." She said, "Nothing's ever going to happen." And so...

BF: Do you remember trying to convince her, or were you, did you just kind of...

CT: Oh, yeah. Well, I said I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe that it was possible. But I think deep down in her heart, she was proud of me. You know, she may have said all this, but I think deep down she was.

BF: I'm sure there's a feeling that she didn't want you to get disappointed or hurt.

CT: Of course, of course. I'm sure of that.

BF: Did she end up testifying?

CT: No. My mother didn't testify.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.