Densho Digital Archive
Frank Abe Collection
Title: Art Hansen Interview
Narrator: Art Hansen
Interviewers: Frank Abe (primary); Frank Chin (secondary)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: February 22, 1998
Densho ID: denshovh-hart-01-0015

<Begin Segment 15>

FC: What was JACL's stand on test cases? Mike Masaoka's stand on test cases?

AH: JACL was adamantly opposed to test cases. It was sort of starting trouble at a time when what they needed was peace and calm and cooperation. Test cases were something that he wanted no part of, and he gave no support to 'em and the JACL gave no support to test cases. People had to raise funds separately to get it. The JACL distanced themselves from it as forcefully as they could.

FA: What was Jimmie Omura's stand on test cases?

AH: He thought test cases were very valuable things. That's the way in which you brought, you know, perceived wrongs to the attention of people and you had them deliberated upon. He wanted to have test cases. Test cases were, you know, instruments of social change, and also of social justice. So he wanted test cases.

<End Segment 15> - Copyright © 1998, 2005 Frank Abe and Densho. All Rights Reserved.