Interviews
John Tateishi plays a role in changing people's minds
I also give tremendous amount of credit to John Tateishi. I think he really was one person that was not given the credit that’s due him, because people just accepted some of the things that he did as if it’s the normal thing that he should do. He knew that it was something that he should do, but I think people forget how effective he was in turning, especially, the Nisei sentiment, those who were not for redress.
And I think his whole plan was to change the focus from monetary issue to constitutional issue, and he did this very well. When I saw many of these wealthy farmers who used to be anti-redress, come up to him, shake his hand and say, I now have changed my mind, I support [the] Redress Movement. That was the proof to me that John was effective in changing the Nisei idea of being afraid of redress.
I think he made them feel that, yes it might be difficult, but they were willing to stick out their neck now and fight for it. And I think it was John’s doing, so I think that John had a tremendous effect on the Redress Movement.
Date: July 1-2, 1998
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Mitchell Maki, Darcie Iki
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum
Explore More Videos
Getting Jim Wright to sponsor the bill
(b. 1931) U.S. Former Secretary of Transportation
Positive experiences with Asian Americans for Action
(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist
Redress payments to Issei who did not enter camps
(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist
Waiting for the right time to start Redress Movement
(1924-2018) Researcher, Activist
Speaking with Sparky
(1929 - 2014) One of the earliest proponents behind the redress movement.
Don’t Rock the Boat
(1929 - 2014) One of the earliest proponents behind the redress movement.
A Common Cause
(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.
Figuring out a dollar amount for redress
Judge, only Japanese American to serve on CWRIC.
On hearing of CWRIC selection from Senator Inouye
Judge, only Japanese American to serve on CWRIC.