Fred Korematsu Civil Rights Assembly
This February, Clarendon hosted a whole school assembly celebrating Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and Constitution. We are fortunate to have Mr. Dale Minami, an alumni parent, who led the legal team representing Fred Korematsu in his legal battle for justice. He came and talked about his experiences working with Fred Korematsu, and the importance of public civic engagement and participation.
Our 4th grade class participated in a play highlighting the experiences of Fred Korematsu and the landmark Supreme Court decision that marked the United States formal recognition of the illegality of the wartime incarceration of thousands of families of Japanese descent, the vast majority of whom were US citizens.
performance
The play is produced by Junko Tanaka sensei with help from dedicated volunteers and local activists, including the late social justice educator Greg Marutani, Dr. Karen Korematsu (Fred’s daughter, educator, and civil rights advocate), and Ms. Nell Noguchi (a civil rights advocate who has spoken about her own incarceration camp experience to the children).
about mr. minami
Dale Minami is a San Francisco-based lawyer best known for heading the legal team that overturned the conviction of Fred Korematsu, whose defiance of the World War II Japanese American incarceration order led to Korematsu v. United States, one of the most controversial United States Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century.
about ms. tanaka
Junko Tanaka is a fourth-grade teacher at Clarendon. Ms. Tanaka coordinates school-wide social justice assemblies in collaboration with local civil rights activists, and speaks at parent education nights about how her Japanese American studies curriculum promotes social emotional learning.
Ms. Tanaka has received the Elgin Heinz Award for her Japanese language instruction and her work with the Fred Korematsu play.