Matsumoto's Philosophy Of Asian-American Citizenship

Plato's philosophy towards citizenship, in simplest terms, is an implicit decision between state and resident to obey all institutions inherent in a society. "Decisively did you choose us and agree to be a citizen under us." And such is the way that Asian Pacific Americans, a term coined not more than forty years ago, choose to tackle prejudice, ignorance, and greed throughout their four hundred year history. Citizenship is defined as broadly as: "Democracy" by Manuel Buaken, "loyalty" per Mike Masaoka, and "equality" according to Amy Uyematsu. Asian Americans always resort to accepted means within American society to pursue favorable ends. Despite a stacked deck, Alien Land laws prohibited alien ownership of land, the Immigration Act
By organizing and creating leverage through numbers and consolidation, Asian Americans greatly increased their bargaining power. Taishi Matsumoto mourns his situation in 1937. He feels trapped in his current employ as a carrot washer with no chance of upward mobility. There are "no inspired Messias, no strong organizations to whom I can appeal not only for myself, but for others like me." As an individual he merely remains stagnant. Organization and the coming together of individuals create a strong voice, which he lacks, and therefore is unable to combat inequality or to instill change. Whereas labor unions improved wages, working conditions, and hours, the single effort of Matsumoto changes nothing. Therefore, labor organization is a key factor in Asian American history in attempting to assert the rights of citizenship. Other organizations, social organizations, such as the Chinese Six Companies (also known as the CCBA) or the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA), provided a familiar environment while consolidating capabilities as well. Whether it be a supporting causes in China, bringing Chinese news, or creating public opinions and a fundraising base, social organizations such as these were instrumental in providing
Never is this more eloquently illustrated than during the Japanese internment. Hirabayashi, a conscientious objector to the internment procedures utilized by the government, breaks the curfew set by Public Proclamation #1 and turns himself into the authorities and is arrested and conviction was upheld in the courts on the basis that Japanese Americans are not truly Americans because they are unassimilable and set themselves apart from mainstream society. The case of Korematsu, a man who deliberately evaded evacuation orders, despite being rejected from a previous attempt to enlist, went to the Supreme Court. The main point of contention was whether or not the evacuation was Constitutional; it was found to be legal due to military necessity and Korematsu was convicted. In the case involving Endo, who broke no laws and did not initiate her case, she was illegally detained because she was not a military threat. The day before the judgment, the evacuation was rescinded. The case of Endo passed unanimously (Shah). Asian Americans not only respected the legal