What is Freedom?
What is Freedom? It is a word that changes depending on one’s place and perspective in history, seemingly undefinable. To help answer this question in the context of the Japanese American WWII experience, Christine Sato-Yamazaki, Executive Director of the National Veteran’s Network, interviewed Floyd Mori to learn about his perspective on freedom.
Floyd Mori was born in Murray, Utah, of parents who were immigrants from Japan. After graduating from high school, he served for six months on active duty at Fort Ord, California with the United States Army Reserves and was later honorably discharged from the Army. After graduating from Brigham Young University (BYU). he became a public servant and was elected to the city council in 1972 for Pleasanton, California, where he served as Mayor ProTem and later as Mayor. He was also elected to the California State Assembly and served for six years as an Assemblyman. Active in the Japanese American community, he served as National President of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and later on staff as the National Executive Director/CEO.
He was the chair of the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and has been on the Executive Council of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCR). From 2013-2018, he was the President/CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS). After staying longer than he expected in Washington D.C., he is now enjoying his retirement with his family in Utah.
Here are his thoughts on the definition of freedom.
Q: What is freedom? How would you define it in your own words?
A: Freedom means many things, but a main part is to be free from oppression of mind and will of the soul. We should be free and able to make decisions that affect our personal lives without being unduly restricted and restricting the decisions of others. Our freedom to life and liberty must not infringe on the lives of other people.
Freedom means not being unfairly treated or in bondage simply because of race, ethnicity, religion, or any other facets of life, and it is important in furthering the progress and accomplishments of this world and its inhabitants.
Q: How has the Japanese American WWII experience shaped your view of freedom?
A: The Japanese American World War II experience was a time when freedom was taken away from people who were mostly citizens of this country simply because of racism, hatred, and discrimination for their ethnicity. Not only were they physically removed from their homes on the West Coast and placed in camps, but Japanese Americans were not allowed to enjoy the freedom to due process that was afforded other citizens of this country.
The experience of Japanese Americans during World War II stunted their progress and presented a false understanding of the real values and powerful potential in their community. Thus, not experiencing the result of real freedom continues to open the vast potential of the current Japanese American community. Freedom was taken away from innocent citizens and needs to be guarded for others.
Q: How does the Japanese American incarceration experience shape your view of freedom?
A: Although I was a young child at the start of World War II and many of my contemporaries went to camp, my family lived in Utah so we were not incarcerated. As I learned of the freedom denied Japanese Americans during World War II when they were unjustly incarcerated, I came to appreciate the degree of progress that has been made over that last 75 years. However, we as a Nation experience continued discrimination against people of color. It makes me feel motivated to work harder to assure that denying freedom should not be acceptable today. It becomes as important today as in the past that we guard the privilege of freedom that this great nation states as a basic principle of all who reside herein. Freedom in the United States of America means that inequality and injustice should not be a part of life.
Q: Once Japanese Americans were permitted to serve in the War, what was the Japanese American community’s response?
A: Aside from those who were already in the U.S. Army and Nisei linguists who were recruited prior to WWII, Japanese Americans were not allowed to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces due to their enemy alien classification. After the segregated unit of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion was formed and Japanese Americans were allowed to join the U.S. Army in that unit or in the Military Intelligence Service, Japanese Americans served with valor. Although many had been unfairly incarcerated in camps where they lost their freedom, they were willing to show their patriotism for a country which had turned its back on them. Their example has been valuable for all Americans.
Q: How does freedom continue to be relevant in 21st century America?
A: Freedom is something that we must continually fight for in this country. My younger brother Steve and I both served in the U.S. Army Reserves after high school. I am proud of the young people who carry on the legacy of service and fighting for freedom. My grandson graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, and my grand nephew graduated from West Point. Both are now serving full time in the United States Military. Freedom is very important to maintain as a guiding principle.
Q: Can you tell us about a personal experience you had that has led you to be involved in the National Veteran’s Network?
A: When I was four years old, my oldest brother, Shigeru Mori, who was a college student at the University of Utah, joined the U.S. Army. The United States, the land of our birth, was at war with Japan, the land of our heritage. Shigeru came home on a leave to Utah just before our other brother, Tom Mori, was leaving to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Germany. Shig was killed in the crash of a U.S. Army airplane as he served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service during the Occupation of Japan after the war had ended. Tom went to Germany where he served in the U.S. Army and was later honorably discharged.
It was an honor for me to work with the National Veterans Network on the Congressional Gold Medal which was awarded to the Nisei Veterans of World War II. These brave and patriotic souls helped preserve the freedoms which we enjoy in this country while also paving the way for greater freedom and more opportunities for Americans of Japanese heritage. That unjust treatment of Japanese Americans makes me want to help ensure that such a thing never happens to any other people. I am trying to do my part by helping to tell the story of Americans of Japanese descent.
