<Begin Segment 18>

FA: Does service, do you think that service in the military equals in any way restoration of Japanese American civil rights...

FC: Why did you thank the 442nd for redress?

BK: Yeah. Well, I think that the legislation before Congress would have never got to first base unless it was for the record, the splendid record of the 442nd and the Military Intelligence people in the Pacific. It's because of their record that Congress voted the national apology and the reparations. And I think, you know, that's why I felt that. I mean, I don't think there was any other group or anybody else who could have gotten that through Congress unless it was for the record of the 442nd. 'Cause they just did a tremendous job, winning all the Presidential citations and all and under the adverse conditions that they had to go through it.

FA: One of the things we keep throwing around between ourselves was that the 442nd was a good public relations move, but it did not address directly the issue of Japanese American civil rights, or citizenship rights.

BK: Well, that's true. I mean, but that's another battle. Seems to me that both of them are about the same thing in the long run but yet they're separate. Separate fights and separate things. And now they're still doing their thing so... you're helping them. [Laughs]

FA: We'll help tell your story, too.

BK: I was really surprised when you said that you were going to use both sides, the other side, too.

FA: Oh really?

BK: Yeah, I really was. I thought you were going to just do the one thing for them, which was all right, didn't matter to me.

Male voice: If you, if your farm had been taken away at the same time, could you ever think, could you have put yourself in a resister's position? If the family farm had been taken in Nebraska? I'm curious --

BK: Yeah, I've been asked that question before and you don't know how you're gonna react.

Male voice: Yeah, but that farm was important to you.

BK: Well, sure. The life savings, and people worked all their lives and it wasn't right, it was a mistake. I don't know, if I was in their shoes I might have acted just like they did. And then again I may not have. I would never know.

<End Segment 18> - Copyright © 1998, 2005 Frank Abe and Densho. All Rights Reserved.