Interviews
Rationale for rejecting redress payment
I thought it was important early in the game to make it known that if there were any material acknowledgments to be made, that I would not participate in that, that I would not accept it. I thought that was important to do it very early in the game, in order to make sure that my credibility and participation on the commission [Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Citizens] would not be exposed to some kind of criticism….
So, in terms of my participation, I thought it was important that early on in the game that I disavow any material gain or whatever you want to call it. That went on the record. Incidentally, I understand that was misinterpreted by some quarters who were opposed to redress payments as being, well, look, this guy Marutani, he was confined, and he says he doesn’t want his $20,000, or any redress amount. He voted against it. Well, yeah, (chuckles) he voted against it for himself. But I understand that was misinterpreted in some quarters. As a matter of fact, not withstanding (chuckles), ORA1 sent me an application form. They did, and I sent [it] back and said, “I waive it.”
1. With the passage of H.R. 442, the Office of Redress Administration (ORA) was established to implement redress legislation.
Date: August 27, 1998
Location: Pennsylvania, US
Interviewer: Darcie Iki, Mitchell Maki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Evolving History
(1929 - 2014) One of the earliest proponents behind the redress movement.
Need for Monetary Compensation
(1923–2008) One of the leaders behind the redress movement.
Erasing the Bitterness
(1923–2008) One of the leaders behind the redress movement.
Duties of the Witness Chair
Chaired the Chicago JACL's Redress Committee.
Recruited for the National JACL Redress Committee
(1917 - 2004) Political activist
Discover Nikkei Updates
June 25 (US) | June 26 (Japan)
Featured Nima:
Stan Kirk
Guest Host:
Yoko Murakawa
See exciting new changes to Discover Nikkei. Find out what’s new and what’s coming soon!