<Begin Segment 13>

FK: So why do you think we had to go to concentration camp?

GN: Why do you think we had to go?

FK: Yeah.

GN: Well, our appearance, face, 'cause of the resemblance to our ancestry. That's the only reason we went. We weren't spies. We didn't have any what you call due process. We were guilty before we were innocent, and usually criminals, I understand, they're innocent before they're proven guilty.

[Interruption]

FK: Again, tell me why you think we went to concentration camp? Why were we forced to leave the island, why did we have to go to concentration camp?

GN: It's our appearance, our resemblance to the enemy. The only guilt I had was my face. When I get on the ferry, the first thing that crossed my mind was, "Why me?" well, that thought. But it was pretty special when you see your friends come over to say goodbye.

FK: What do you think about reparations?

GN: Reparation?

FK: Yeah. What are your feelings about the reparation?

GN: Well, I attended the meeting at the Congregational Church for about two years before that. They were giving us a lowdown on what's gonna happen. I never thought much of it, but I didn't refuse it, I didn't refuse the money. But I can remember my neighbor, he was an ex-Coast Guard man, retired thirty years, and he read about us Japanese on Bainbridge, the first ones to leave and the government was thinking of giving us $20,000 or $25,000, and he came over. And I says, "Red," I says, "when that time comes," I says, "I'll fly to D.C. to accept the money." And he didn't say anything. He was a good friend, he was a good friend, but I'll never forget that. And I gotta quote what Senator Inouye said: "Your country put you in a concentration camp," and then he says, "what was really great was when the country apologized for what happened to us."

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.