If you haven’t heard the name Frank Emi, that’s a d*mn shame, but not as big of a shame as it was for the American government to round up Japanese-Americans and imprison them during World War II. There’s no excuse for the action; sure, it was scary times, but as has happened too often throughout the course of American history, minorities have not always been treated the way they ought to be treated. Thankfully, Frank Emi was a leader during such harrowing times and fought for the rights of his fellow people who may have had ties to the Far East but were also distinctly American and deserved life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Suggested read: Japanese-American Soldiers in WW2 Served While Losing Their Rights
Frank Emi Fought for Japanese-Americans in Internment Camps
The Pacific theater would be one of the most volatile warzones for Americans fighting in WWII, yet it was America’s own Pacific coast that had another major problem. The internment of Japanese people is a dark mark on the history of our country.
In total, the executive order from President Roosevelt would lead to around 120,000 Japanese people being detained in concentration camps throughout the U.S., with a majority of those detained being American citizens. Such is the case with our topic of discussion about civil rights hero Frank Emi.
The War Relocation Authority (WRA) was the government agency responsible for the internment of the Japanese people. In 1943, a questionnaire was passed around to test the loyalty of the prisoners. This survey included questions asking them if they would be willing to fight for the American Armed Forces. After suffering at the hands of the American government unjustly, many of those within the camps were both unsure of and angry at the question.
Asian-American Protests at Heart Mountain Relocation Center
When Frank Emi found himself stuck at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming, a.k.a. one of the concentration camps holding Japanese-Americans, he would join Kiyoshi Okamoto to form the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee. The purpose of the committee was to refuse to fight for the American government until their rights were restored.
Draft orders were sent to the camp, but soon, many more inmates had joined the cause and were not obeying draft orders. So many, in fact, that the protest caught the attention of the Feds. Emi himself was not one of the prisoners drafted; however, he and two fellow prisoners would try to leave the camp in solidarity with the movement to bring attention to the fact that they were still prisoners.
Around 300 men from Heart Mountain and at least seven prisoners from other camps would end up arrested, with Frank Emi spending 18 months in a federal penitentiary before an appeal overturned his sentence. After prison, Emi and his fellow protesters would find that many Japanese-Americans did not approve of their decision to protest, believing that it hurt their community more than it helped.
More like this: 5 Asian-American War Heroes We Should’ve Learned About in School
The Asian-American Civil Rights Movement
It wasn’t until the late 1960s to the mid-1970s that the United States would see an organized Asian American civil rights movement. During this time, many activists were protesting racism and policies that they disagreed with that hurt Asians both in America and throughout the world.
You might not see Frank Emi’s name among a list of Asian civil rights movement leaders, but that is because he was ahead of his time and the Asian American Movement as a whole. Thankfully, during this movement, many younger Asian-Americans put the spotlight on Frank Emi and his fellow protestors and showed how heroic their actions were, finally giving them the recognition they deserved.
Frank Emi’s Legacy Is One of Courage and Justice
Serving the United States is an honor and a duty every American should take pride in. By doing so, we help preserve our freedoms and protect our fellow citizens. But Frank Emi and his fellow Asian-American citizens were wrongfully stripped of their rights. America has a short but rich history. We are a nation filled with wonderful people and ideals, but we are not infallible. Standing up for what they believed in, Frank Emi and his fellow protestors are a great example of civil disobedience and doing what is right even when you are in the crosshairs of your oppressor.
If drunken shenanigans, history, and humor are your things, the Frank Emi Drunk History tale is a fun take on this incredible story. Click the link the watch Randall Park explain how Frank Emi takes a stand. Viewer discretion is advised.
Related read: What Life Was Like Inside a Japanese-American Internment Camp
