We Must Not Forget

On February 19, 1942, one of America's best Presidents, authorized the U.S. government to incarcerate Americans on the basis of their heritage and appearance.

110,000 or more Americans, citizens, immigrants, and multi-generational countrymen were rounded up. They were forced to leave their homes, businesses, and communities.

These were the Japanese Americans.

Their entire way of life was disrupted and most lost their homes, jobs, businesses, and lifestyles.

It was a travesty.  We all agree, but most of us were not there and none of us signed the orders.

Why must we be reminded of these things?

After all, it was not the decision of all Americans.

No, but it was made on behalf of all Americans.

The rest of "us" could have made a difference.

Many would have, if they had known the whole story soon enough or felt empowered.

We must not forget what neighbors can do to neighbors or what governments can do to people.

Decent people can inflict pain on decent people.

If we are not reminded of how often it has happened, it is too easy to let it happen again.

Fear is a powerful force. People caught up in fear act irrationally and without compassion at times.

We let other people become the objects of our fears. Then, we act in ignorance.

We abandon the Great Commandment.

We do it too easily and we do it without regret and with impunity.

It only takes a few people to initiate grave injustice, but it takes all of us to allow it to continue.

"I hated the brutality, the sadism, and the insanity of Nazism. I just couldn't stand by and see people destroyed. I did what I could, what I had to do, what my conscience told me I must do. That's all there is to it. Really, nothing more." - Oskar Schindler