On 1/30/17 the google doodle celebrated the 98th birthday of the American civil rights activist. Korematsu was born on January 31st, in Oakland California. He spoke out against the interment of Japanese Americans during WWII. After the bombing of pearl harbor, the government put out an executive order (9066) that forced Japanese Americans onto internment camps. They were forced out of their homes, and had their property and wealth taken away from them. In 1942 Korematsu was arrested for resisting to go to a internment camp. He petitioned his arrest in court, claiming that the internment of Japanese Americans was unconstitutional. The case eventually went to the Supreme Court, and the court sided with the government. In 1983 Korematsu's conviction was vacated, and he was awarded the Korematsu Presidential Medal of honor in 1998.
Its amazing that we celebrate this man's birthday days after the president enacted an Executive order that enacts the very principals that he fought against. Refugees are being persecuted just because they share the same nationality or religion as a terrorist. Saying that ALL Muslims or ALL Syrians are dangerous and a terrorist is a damaging generalization that hurts everyone involved. We cannot give into fear and start to alienate and persecute innocent people in the name of "peace."
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