[Recording of Franklin D. Roosevelt]
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
I ask that the Congress declare a state of war.
[TZAUO]
This will not be good for us
During Great War, people in Salinas tried to k** a German shopkeeper
They burned his store to ground
We must keep our heads down
Pah!
[KEI]
Nothing can be done
So for now we do nothing
[TZAUO]
You can't be serious
[KEI]
Look, we're at war now
We've been attacked
Don't you see we have to take a stand
[TZAUO]
We must wait and see
[KEI]
I can't be hearing this
We've got to act now, not wait for angry crowds to burn our farmhouse down
And so, everyone in town
[TZAUO]
Do not fight the storm
Do not fight the storm
Better to bend and submit
The nail that is highest is hit
[TZAUO & HANNAH]
Do not fight the storm
Do not fight the storm
There's nothing that we can do
[KEI]
That's not true!
We're here to enlist
Sorry, fellas, the Army has categorized all Japanese 4C - enemy aliens
But we were born in California
We've never even been to Japan!
A Jap is a Jap
[KEI]
We've come to serve today, just like the others
We want to be the first to wave the red, white, and blue
Somehow we'll find a way
This isn't right!
[KEI& TZAUO]
We are Americans!
There's nothing to discuss
Then who will speak for us?
Do not fight the storm
[MIKE MASAOKA]
This is Mike Masaoka, national secretary for the Japanese American Citizens League
We Americans of Japanese descent pledge to fight Japan until the enemies of freedom are destroyed.
The JACL asks that everyone remain calm and trust in the fairness of the American way.
[KEI]
Kito Kimura?
[HANNAH]
And Kei Kimura. Kito's my grandfather. What can we do for you?
[FBI]
FBI. We have some questions for him.
[MIKE MASAOKA]
In a time of war, it is necessary to forego some civil liberties to keep America safe.
Kito Kimura, do you correspond with Japanese nationals currently living in Imperial Japan?
[Kito responds in Japanese]
Does he understand?
[HANNAH]
Do not fight the storm
Do not fight the storm
[KEI]
By order of President Roosevelt, all people of Japanese ancestry have until Friday to evacuate the West Coast.
[MIKE MASAOKA]
The government will transport you to a relocation center.
Take only what you can carry.
[KEI & HANNAH]
How can we go?
And where will they take us?
We cannot say no, cannot fight the storm.
Can't fight the wind, and the wind won't break us.
How can we go?
Do not fight the storm!
[MIKE MASAOKA]
We leave without bitterness, for it is patriotic to make this sacrifice.
[ALL]
Sacrifice!
I'll take the house, the farm, the equipment, and the car for two thousand dollars.
[ALL]
Sacrifice!
[KEI]
But it's worth 20,000!
[ALL]
Sacrifice!
[MIKE MASAOKA]
That's a lot more than your neighbors are gettin.'
Let this relocation be our contribution to the war effort.
[KEI & HANNAH]
Do not fight the storm
What can we do?
[?]
Do not fight the storm
Do not fight the storm
Nothing that we can do
The world is not as we knew
So keep your head down ‘til the storm
Pa**es through
[TZAUO]
We've known each other for 20 years
[KEI]
Two grand.
Take it or leave it.
[MIKE MASAOKA]
We leave our homes with smiling faces, grateful to be wards of our government in this troubled time.
[ALL]
We [?] each other and
Trying [?]