Governor's Stand On Justice Doomed His Political Career

[bobbolink]

Many years ago I read the inscription on the statue of Governor Ralph Carr, which stand in the Japanese garden of Sakura Square. I can't find the inscription now, but I remember being impressed with his lone courage to stand against the anti-Japanese fervor of post-Pearl Harbor. This article is interesting to read to understand how fear can make citizens crazy, and do irrational things. And also remind us how important it is to support those who have the spine to stand up to that irrationality. This stand of courage against the concentration camps is little known, and harmed him politically. The photo is quite dramatic.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_8481518

"On Feb. 19, 1942, then-Gov. Carr was fuming. He yelled at his staff even though they were not the object of his scorn, but since he did not have direct access to the White House and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, they'd have to do.

Clutching Executive Order 9066 in his hand, he paced and shouted, "What kind of a man would put this out?" The president's order allowed for the de facto declaration of martial law on the West Coast with one not-so-veiled purpose: to remove anyone of Japanese descent.

It was soon after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, which killed thousands of Americans. The Japanese were called "yellow devils" on the front page of papers like The Denver Post. People clamored for them to be locked up, sent to work camps, or — in the words of one Colorado farmer — "just killed."

No one distinguished between non-citizen and citizen. No one talked about constitutional rights. No one except for Ralph Carr."

[FSogol]

1. Excellent post. Too bad more politicians (and even our guys)

don't always stand up for what is right regardless of the costs or odds.

[bobbolink]

2. Absolutely, and that's why I posted it. To remind us that "doing the right thing" doesn't always

result in appreciation and awards.

Just the opposite.. it often means suffering.

He lost his career, but he knew he was doing the right thing, the true "American" thing.

The awards came much later, and mostly from the Japanese citizens of Colorado. The road being renamed for him comes long after his death.

We don't always see a good result in our lifetime, sadly enough. BUT.. that doesn't mean we don't do what's right.

[bobbolink]

3. Yes, "even our guys"

The point is, FDR, who is a hero of mine, made this horrible move. A Dem.

Gov. Carr, a republican, was incensed and stood up to it.

Both sides do horrendous things, and need to look at themselves.

[dajoki]

4. K&R!!...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Lawrence_Carr
If you harm them, you must harm me. I was brought up in a small town where I knew the shame and dishonor of race hatred. I grew to despise it because it threatened the happiness of you and you and you.

Great Post!! Thank you Bobbie for the reminder of what one brave person can do if they are not afraid!!

[nosmokes]

5. Thanks for the history lesson! rcommended.

[Kajsa]

6. Excellent!

Thanks so much, Bobbie,

:D

[pamela]

7. Interesting post.

I've never heard of Carr before. It's always interesting to read about the days when our representatives didn't run from the term "liberal" and actually fought for liberal causes. k&R

[bobbolink]

8. Actually, Ralph Carr was a Republican, which is why most Japanese in Colorado vote Republican

to this day.

Something for our liberals to remember.