The words, ‘Honoring the Past, Educating the Future’ have never been more appropriate.

 As we reflect on our history, we are reminded of the importance of safeguarding justice and fairness for all.

 Recently, Tsuru for Solidarity, under the coordination of Stan Shikuma, brought together Japanese American organizations to discuss how we can respond to events affecting immigrant communities today. This organizational meeting was a first step in creating a platform for discussions emphasizing the importance of community solidarity and the ongoing relevance of standing up for fairness, dignity, and due process.

Many of the JA organizations, including ours have been grappling to understand how to maintain and gain membership over the years.  As our community evolves and grows more dispersed, we all seem to be searching to find the fundamental reasons of what we are now about, and how to move forward.  Even though the camps were painful and horrific, they helped create our tight knit community, and the irony is the current situation could unite us again.

Some would say that the well-known passage by Martin Niemoller is still pertinent– “first they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out.” 

The Japanese community has been very successful due to hard work, dedication and a strong will.  There are many who believe now maybe the time to use its influence and engage in meaningful dialogue and advocate for fairness and justice.

Tsuru for solidarity is planning to hold an upcoming community meeting.  I encourage our membership to attend and share their valuable experiences and perspectives in continuing the legacy or honoring the past and educating the future.