Voting Rights History Throughout the Year: Fred Korematsu

"No one should ever be locked away simply because they share the same race, ethnicity, or religion as a spy or terrorist. If that principle was not learned from the internment of Japanese Americans, then these are very dangerous times for our democracy."

--Fred Korematsu

Fred T. Korematsu (1919-2005) was born January 30, 1919.  He was a civil rights activist who spoke up against the World War II government incarceration of Japanese Americans.

• Fred T. Korematsu Institute biography of Fred Korematsu
• Zinn Education Project lesson plan about Japanese American Internment
• Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery portrait of Fred T. Korematsu
• NPR interview with Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred Korematsu
• PBS article about the film Of Civil Wrongs and Rights, about Fred Korematsu
• PBS site about Children of the Camps, documentary about Japanese American internment
• Article about Japanese American voting rights during World War II

This blog post is part of an ongoing series of "this date in history" blog posts that will highlight some of the people and events of voting rights history. Links provide an opportunity for students and teachers to explore and learn more.

"If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don't be afraid to speak up."

--Fred Korematsu