Posted on 07/03/2015 3:12:51 PM PDT by raccoonradio
I owe an apology. On the eve of Independence Day, I have a renewed sense of what this country stands for, and how I personally could help achieve it. The promise of equality and freedom is one that all of us have to work for, at all times. I know this as a survivor of the Japanese American internment, which each day drives me only to strive harder to help fulfill that promise for future generations.
I recently was asked by a reporter about Justice Clarence Thomas’s dissent in the marriage equality cases, in which he wrote words that really got under my skin, by suggesting that the government cannot take away human dignity through slavery, or though internment. In my mind that suggested that this meant he felt the government therefore shouldn’t be held accountable, or should do nothing in the face of gross violations of dignity. When asked by a reporter about the opinion, I was still seething, and I referred to him as a “clown in blackface” to suggest that he had abdicated and abandoned his heritage. This was not intended to be racist, but rather to evoke a history of racism in the theatrical arts. While I continue to vehemently disagree with Justice Thomas, the words I chose, said in the heat of anger, were not carefully considered.
I am reminded, especially on this July 4th holiday, that though we have the freedom to speak our minds, we must use that freedom judiciously. Each of us, as humans, have hot-button topics that can set-us off, and Justice Thomas had hit mine, that is clear. But my choice of words was regrettable, not because I do not believe Justice Thomas is deeply wrong, but because they were ad hominem and uncivil, and for that I am sorry.
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Horse manure...he makes a totally ignorant statement, then says he wishes he’d been more ladylike? This just underlines his proud, profound ignorance.
It's his gig.
FWIW, Shatner never really has seemed to care. With good reason. Sulu was a minor character in a show made 50 years ago. He's gone on to bigger and better things. I'm sure Shatner doesn't remember or is buddies with every minor actor from everything he's done.
Takei is just an ass.
That's why this is kind of a big deal. He could have attacked any of the four dissenters, but he goes for the object of his true hate.
The black justice.
Why George? Why did you attack the black man?
Be as petty as you wish. The internment of US citizens en made is wrong. The fact that the men turned around and fought like animals in Italy is a testament to their loyalty.
I cannot say I would have been as eager to lift a finger for the U.S. Under the same circumstances.
You think that you'll be living among friendly people who know that you're not a spy? You think the nation of Japan would think twice about shuffling you off and putting you on standby for the duration? Would you blame them?
See, I wouldn't, under the circumstances. I'd admire them if they meticulously set aside what was mine and preserved it for me until I got back (which the U.S. to its shame FAILED to do for the Japanese Americans in the camps), but I might even welcome the security if I felt like somebody was going to shoot me and mine in the back every moment.
The context of the time is what they fail to teach in public school. Truth will out, though.
George Takei is a stupid ninny. That's his "race," and it is truly rainbow in that it encompasses the spectrum.
HEllo?
It's not your fault that you knee-jerk to the Japanese Camps. You were TAUGHT to do so.
And the worst part is that you're a conservative.
Please start questioning moral narratives that you've been taught in school and explore other possibilities, because truth hinges on it, and truth sets you free.
You were taught to think "America -- BAD!!!" and it shows. You refuse to even acknowledge or discuss any alternative moral judgment. You were taught.
This was fuller than most apologies of celebrities/politicians, which typically say: I am sorry if anyone was offended.
I think this is unusual; the left NEVER apologizes.
I heard Rush talking about the comments from the Justice Thomas, and I too believe they were meant to say that even though people were interned, they never lost their dignity as a people.
what the hell kinda of apology is that ?
I didn’t mean to call it a spade. I should have called it a shovel ?
Earl Warren was a Republican, unfortunately. Otherwise spot-on.
That's the way I read Thomas' words as well.
Another quote that comes to mind is: "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."
George can shove his apology where the sun don’t shine - but he should war the gerbil first.
Another quote that comes to mind is: “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Exactly .. good quote, thanks.
I didn’t say they were legit. In hindsight they were clearly an overreaction, though it wasn’t so clear at the time. What I said is the use of the term “survivor” as though they were death camps is overblown.
I think it’s clear in hindsight that internment was an overreaction. The evidence is that Japanese-Americans were not interned in Hawaii, and it caused no problems. But people didn’t have the benefit of hindsight then, and didn’t know how loyal they still were to their God-Emperor.
I just have an issue with the use of the term “survivor”.
I think we can both agree that the term “survivor” is tossed around a little haphazardly these days. When someone tells me they survived college, I laugh. Unless college has changed a lot, and my daughters stories tells me it hasn’t.
Its akin to when people playing sports call themselves “warriors.” When they start putting landmines between the 5 yard line and the goal line I might think of them as warriors. Not just because they play a game.
So, I appreciate your point and I agree. I Hope you have a good fourth.
It is easy to see why and how, AT THE TIME, it was considered appropriate, and again, I am going by information I have heard verbally first hand from Californians I know, Japanese and non-Japanese, who were contemporaries and personally experienced it, and who also experienced the reality that yes Virginia there WERE Japanese spies among us.
Your idea that it's clear in hindsight that the camps were an overreaction, is the natural conclusion if your knowledge and information on the event is limited. On the other hand, when you factor in things that schools didn't teach you but which you know were part of the context of the time -- then it's clear in hindsight that the REAL shame of those internment caps was the contemptible robbing thieving way that so many non-Japanese "businessmen" took advantage of the property and businesses that those Americans interned had to leave behind.
THAT was the shame, that was the evil, that was the wrong done to those Japanese. THAT is what hindsight shows very, very clearly.
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