While the current immigration debates and conversations on racial profiling can appear distant from Japanese American experiences, I would argue that the correlations between anti-Japanese racism, exclusion, xenophobia and anti-black racism are intimately tied together by similar roots of injustice.
From July 24th to July 27th, the generous San Fernando Valley Japanese American Citizens League board sponsored me to represent their chapter at this year’s JACL National Convention in Washington D.C. As a new hire in this organization, it was thrilling for me to have the opportunity to learn more about the JACL on a national level. My experiences at the national convention exceeded my expectations, as I genuinely grew a greater appreciation for celebrating this year’s 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and more than a decade of fighting to win redress.
At convention, I felt so grateful to be a member of the younger generation in attendance, because the stories that were shared by redress community leaders such as John Tateishi and Norman Mineta are so important to learn. Even in our own local communities, I wish that more youth had the opportunity to learn from humble and passionate social justice Nikkei advocates, such as Phil Shikeguni, who was honored during the JACL Legacy Luncheon for his hardworking leadership during the redress movement. After learning more about the collective efforts of our community to win redress when it once seemed impossible, it was a significant moment to walk through the National Archives and see the original signed documents of Executive Order 9066 and the 1988 Civil Liberties Act side by side for the first time in history.
In addition to commemorating our community’s victory, I was proud that our national organization was lobbying legislators about the need for comprehensive immigration reform, as well having the attendees dialogue on critical issues such as racial profiling, the loss of Trayvon Martin and the disturbing acquittal of George Zimmerman. While the current immigration debates and conversations on racial profiling can appear distant from Japanese American experiences, I would argue that the correlations between anti-Japanese racism, exclusion, xenophobia and anti-black racism are intimately tied together by similar roots of injustice. As a young social justice Nikkei advocate myself, I would like to encourage that Japanese Americans have an important responsibility to contextualize the injustices that our community has faced to the struggles that multiple marginalized communities endure today.
traci ishigo
Program Coordinator
Pacific Southwest District JACL
At convention, I felt so grateful to be a member of the younger generation in attendance, because the stories that were shared by redress community leaders such as John Tateishi and Norman Mineta are so important to learn. Even in our own local communities, I wish that more youth had the opportunity to learn from humble and passionate social justice Nikkei advocates, such as Phil Shikeguni, who was honored during the JACL Legacy Luncheon for his hardworking leadership during the redress movement. After learning more about the collective efforts of our community to win redress when it once seemed impossible, it was a significant moment to walk through the National Archives and see the original signed documents of Executive Order 9066 and the 1988 Civil Liberties Act side by side for the first time in history.
In addition to commemorating our community’s victory, I was proud that our national organization was lobbying legislators about the need for comprehensive immigration reform, as well having the attendees dialogue on critical issues such as racial profiling, the loss of Trayvon Martin and the disturbing acquittal of George Zimmerman. While the current immigration debates and conversations on racial profiling can appear distant from Japanese American experiences, I would argue that the correlations between anti-Japanese racism, exclusion, xenophobia and anti-black racism are intimately tied together by similar roots of injustice. As a young social justice Nikkei advocate myself, I would like to encourage that Japanese Americans have an important responsibility to contextualize the injustices that our community has faced to the struggles that multiple marginalized communities endure today.
traci ishigo
Program Coordinator
Pacific Southwest District JACL