Fred Korematsu stands as a beacon of courage in the face of injustice. During World War II, he resisted the internment of Japanese Americans, refusing to comply with Executive Order 9066. His act of civil disobedience led to his arrest and a landmark Supreme Court case, Korematsu v. United States. And although his conviction was upheld in 1944, his fight didn’t end there. With the help of dedicated attorneys and law students, Korematsu was vindicated when his conviction was finally overturned in 1983.
Fred Korematsu’s legacy teaches us the importance of standing up against wrongful government actions, no matter the personal cost. The story of the corum nobis litigation that vacated Korematsu’s conviction also reminds us of the ongoing importance of lawyers who seek to protect the rights of individuals from the pernicious effects of racial bias and government overreach. The reading group organizers will present a poster at the conference in May.
This reading list is designed to spark discussion about Fred Korematsu and his legacy on the 80th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Korematsu v. US. There is currently a push to establish a national Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. Six states—California, Hawai’i, Utah, Illinois, Georgia, and Virginia—have officially recognized January 30 as Fred Korematsu day, honoring his contribution to civil rights; three more—Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—are considering recognition. Clinicians may be inspired to start or join the effort in their state.
The Planning Committee invites faculty to deepen their reflections by reading about Korematsu through a clinic community book read at their school or through cross-institution study groups. We have created a sign-up sheet for anyone who would like to join a reading group, or you are welcome to organize your own group. You are welcome to meet with your self-facilitated group as often as you prefer, and to read as much or as little as is feasible. We hope the study groups help us build community and deepen our education in preparation for the conference.
Reading list: The Legacy of Fred Korematsu
This list in the Google drive linked above is designed to include perspectives from the lawyers who helped Korematsu eventually overturn his conviction. The selections also examine responses to the internment, including the intergenerational trauma of internees. In the interests of encouraging wide participation, the list includes some popular culture choices and an option to read edited versions of the cases. All materials are either available online, in popular databases, or can be supplied by the organizer upon request. We also welcome your suggestions for additional resources.