Roy Nakano Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Records SPC.2020 .017
Jennifer Hill. Biography of Roy Nakano and NCRR written by Eileen Yoshimura. Roy Nakano biography edited and revised by Roy
Nakano.
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2020-08-19
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
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.
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
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.
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.
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
box 1, folder 1-2
box 1, folder 3-4
Southern California Premiere Showing of Steve Okazaki's film - Unfinished Business (Three who Fought the Internment of of Japanese-Americans) 1984
The original binder was dissembled for preservation
purposes. The title is from the binder.
Includes flyers, letters, news clippings, distribution plans, and other information related to the Reception for Fred Korematsu
and Southern California's Premiere Showing of Steve Okazaki's film,
Unfinished Business (Three who Fought the Internment of Japanese-Americans).