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Nakano (Roy), Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Records
SPC.2020 .017  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical Note for Roy Nakano
  • Historical Note for Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress
  • Preferred Citation
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Processing Information
  • Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Related Materials
  • CSU Japanese American Digitization Project Related Materials
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information for Digitized Materials
  • Availability of Digitized Materials

  • Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
    Title: Roy Nakano Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Records
    Creator: Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress
    Creator: Nakano, Roy
    Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2020 .017
    Physical Description: 1 boxes
    Physical Description: 0.46 Linear Feet
    Date (inclusive): 1981-1984
    Abstract: This collection includes material from one of the co-founders of the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, Roy Nakano. It contains correspondence, flyers, programs, articles, and meeting minutes related to the Gardena Chapter and Los Angeles Chapter of the organization, which was formally known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. The collection also includes event information for a reception to honor Fred Korematsu, and screening information for Steve Okazaki's film, Unfinished Business (Three who Fought the Internment of Japanese-Americans).
    Language of Material: English .

    Biographical Note for Roy Nakano

    Roy Yukio Nakano co-founded the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations—now known as Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR)—as well as its forerunner, the Los Angeles Community Coalition on Redress and Reparations (LACCRR). He also co-founded the Gardena Committee for Redress and Reparations, which later merged with and became a chapter of NCRR. During the congressional hearings before the Committee on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), Roy represented and gave testimony on behalf of the Gardena Committee. Roy was born in 1951 in East Los Angeles to Shigeto and Sumie Nakano, Kibei from Hawaii. His family was incarcerated during World War II at Jerome, Arkansas and Tule Lake, California. The youngest of four siblings, he spent his childhood in Boyle Heights and Gardena, California. Roy attended California State University, Long Beach, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, and later his Juris Doctor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It was at UCLA, as the Asian American Studies Center's Coordinator for Student and Community Projects, where Roy initiated his redress activities. In 1985, Roy, along with Robert M. Shoji, founded the publication LA Audio File. In 1997, Roy founded the publication LA Car (lacar.com). Roy currently serves as the Chief Counsel for the SBA's National Disaster Loan Resolution Center, and resides in Monrovia, California.

    Historical Note for Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress

    NCRR (Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress) emerged as a grassroots movement in 1980, fighting for redress and reparations for Nikkei (Japanese Americans) incarcerated during World War II. Founded by Japanese Americans from across the country, NCRR was first known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. The non-profit organization worked to bring the community together to seek justice for the thousands of Nikkei deprived of their civil rights during World War II. NCRR played a pivotal role in helping former Nikkei incarcerees to testify at the 1981 hearings before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), a Congress-appointed group charged with conducting an official study of the wartime incarceration of Nikkei. NCRR worked together with other Nikkei organizations, individuals, and Congress members towards enacting the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that granted reparations. They also fought to ensure that redress was implemented and campaigned for those that were denied the reparations.
    In 2000, the Los Angeles Chapter updated its name to Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress to reflect its ongoing mission. Among the many projects it has undertaken, with the help of grants through the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund (CLPEF), NCRR made available on video, "Speak Out for Justice," the 1981 CWRIC hearings held in Los Angeles. In 2004, NCRR released "Stand Up for Justice," an educational short film of Ralph Lazo, who accompanied his incarcerated Nikkei friends during World War II. In February 2020, NCRR co-chaired and presented in partnership with other organizations the Day of Remembrance 2020, held annually in remembrance of Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans. Today, the organization continues to engage in similar campaigns against injustice and educate the public on wartime injustices.

    Preferred Citation

    For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material  guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

    Conditions Governing Access

    There are no access restrictions on this collection.

    Conditions Governing Use

    All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    This collection was donated by Roy Nakano in 2020.

    Processing Information

    This collection was processed by Jennifer Hill and Susmita Patange in 2020.

    Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Related Materials

    For other materials related to Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, please consult the Jim Matsuoka Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress.

    CSU Japanese American Digitization Project Related Materials

    This collection is part of the California State University Japanese American Digitization Project. For more information: CSU Japanese American Digitization Project. 

    Scope and Contents

    Roy Nakano Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Records (1981-1984) contains 0.46 linear feet of flyers, correspondence, financial reports, attendance lists, news clippings, and other documents related to the organization, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, formally known as the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations. Most of the material relates to the Gardena Chapter of the organization co-founded by Roy Nakano, who also co-founded the larger organization. The collection also includes material related to Fred Korematsu's reception and a film title, Unfinished Business (Three who Fought the Internment of Japanese-Americans) by Steve Okazaki.

    Processing Information for Digitized Materials

    The Gerth Archives and Special Collections created digital reproductions from the original material for long-term preservation and access. These preservation files were scanned to and stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections Department Drive. For more information on the best practices and standards for the digitization process, see: CSUJAD Techinal Reference Guide. 

    Availability of Digitized Materials

    Some of the collection has been digitized and is available at the CSU Japanese American Digitization Project site.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Japanese Americans -- Civil rights
    Japanese Americans -- Civil rights
    Civil rights
    Reparations for historical injustices
    Japanese Americans -- Reparations