Join us for this fifth part of this thought provoking discussion series. The goal of this series is to inspire people to become informed and politically involved in decision making that effects our communities and our country. The series offers an opportunity for discussion between Americans with differing views.
Join local award winning filmmaker Catherine Busch with this important discussion series. It runs May 1st through June 12th 11:30-1:00. This will be free to attend. Bring your lunch, meet others and let's talk. Doors open at 11:30, program starts promptly at Noon. Nevada County Media - 355 Crown Point Circle (behind Analog Devices)
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May 29th “People Who Helped” - Who were the ones that stood up for Japanese American families while the majority of others tried to undermine their dignity? Where did these humanitarians come from? Organizations? Teachers? Neighbors? Friends?
June 5th “Racism and Redress” - The Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s provided the impetus for Japanese Americans seeking redress, and an apology for the incarceration.
The work that guided the Civil Liberties Act into becoming law was initiated by the Japanese Americans Citizens League at their convention in 1978. Oddly enough, the JACL was first organized in 1929 by a group of young Japanese Americans for the purpose of protecting Civil Rights. At that time in 1929, the JACL members were fearful of what was going to happen to them, because the country was enduring the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression and was headed for the environmental and economic impact of the Dust Bowl…the seeming collapse of society!
In 1988, when the Civil Liberties Act was signed by President Regan, the President lamented to the audience, ‘the Japanese American Incarceration was a mistake!’ The 10 years of work it took to bring the Civil Liberties Act to the fore, restoring a sense of justice, honor and dignity to our country, was done by ordinary men and women, the backbone of our country!
June 12 “Could This Happen Again?” - When our country’s Constitution was created, the framers challenge was for the citizens to continue the work of the Constitution by moving it toward a more just and perfect union. Based on the their ideals, the final program in the series focuses on three main areas. #1. The cause of the Incarceration of Japanese Americans, named by a federal commission, was racism, war hysteria, known today as the politics of fear, and the failure of political leadership. #2 Addresses how the public was immersed in prejudice through movies, books, schools, universities, national organizations, family bias and fear. #3 Calls us back to the Constitution’s challenge by looking at how each of us might be failing the promise of the Constitution for ourselves and others. Our first president, George Washington, urged the citizens of our fledgling democracy to grow in awareness, social consciousness, civic responsibility, and personal involvement! Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln warned us of the consequences of misusing power in government!