Plus: Korematsu 2.0?

Today, on Fred Korematsu Day, we honor the man whose refusal to comply with the mass removal and confinement of Japanese Americans during World War II became one of the most significant challenges to government authority in U.S. history. In an era shaped by wartime fear and racism, Korematsu took a stand against state power and raised enduring questions about constitutional rights, due process, and the responsibilities of citizenship.At just 23 years old, Korematsu resisted the EO9066 exclusion orders that targeted Japanese Americans solely because of their ancestry. His arrest and subsequent Supreme Court case exposed how official narratives can be used to justify the suspension of civil liberties during moments of national crisis. Although his conviction was initially upheld, Korematsu’s persistence and the eventual overturning of his conviction decades later demonstrate that justice can be achieved through resilience and dedication to democratic principles.Korematsu continued to speak out long after his case, drawing connections between the incarceration of Japanese Americans and later civil rights violations, including the detention of Muslim Americans after 9/11. He understood that the consequences of unchecked authority are not confined to a single moment in history, and that protecting democracy requires accountability, public awareness, and an accurate historical record.Densho preserves stories like Korematsu’s so that the lessons of our past remain visible and accessible for thoughtful examination, education, and public understanding. By documenting firsthand experiences and preserving evidence of injustice, we help ensure that history cannot be erased or rewritten to obscure harm. Korematsu’s life reminds us that history is not just something to remember, it is something to learn from.

In 2018, John Roberts called it “obvious” that Korematsu has “no place in law under the Constitution.” Recent events suggest otherwise.