Infamy

Foreign and domestic...

When America fails to abide by its laws, respect its Constitution, and live up to its ideals and aspirations it usually does so in a big way.  Our internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War was one of those failures.  In my youth I knew the Matsuura family.  Mr. and Mrs. met in the camps and both enlisted to serve the war effort.  After the war they took up a new life together, their former existence forever interrupted by this ugly spasm of institutionalized xenophobia, racism, and bigotry.  They seemed sad about the internment but not bitter.  In their lived response to this injustice they were better Americans than those who imprisoned them, and those who stood by and watched...

Tip of the hat to Christopher Bellavita at Homeland Security Watch for posting an article that reminded me of childhood friends and stories of bravery and resolve.