Understanding the No-No Boys: Loyalty and Identity Among Japanese Americans During WWII
Explore the history of the No-No Boys, Japanese American men who faced stigma during WWII for their loyalty questionnaire responses. Learn about Tule Lake and the impact of their choices.
Video Summary
In a recent video, Dennis delves into the poignant history of the No-No Boys, a term that refers to Japanese American men who, during World War II, answered 'no' to questions 27 and 28 of a loyalty questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered by the War Relocation Authority in 1943, with the intent of distinguishing between loyal and disloyal Japanese Americans. Out of approximately 78,000 respondents aged 17 and older, around 12,000 men chose to refuse military service and declined to swear allegiance to the United States, a decision that would have profound implications for their lives.
The No-No Boys were subsequently sent to Tule Lake, which was notorious for being the harshest of the internment camps. Within this environment, they were often branded as traitors by their fellow internees, highlighting the intense internal conflict that existed among Japanese Americans regarding military service during their internment. Dennis references the significant literary work 'The No-No Boys' by John Okada, a novel that was rediscovered in the 1970s and explores the complex themes surrounding loyalty and identity during this tumultuous period.
In his discussion, Dennis also brings attention to the remarks made by Ben Takashita during a plaque dedication at Tule Lake in 1977. Takashita's comments shed light on the stigma that the No-No Boys faced, as they were often perceived as disloyal individuals within their own community. This historical context serves to illustrate the broader struggles of Japanese Americans during World War II, as they navigated issues of loyalty, identity, and the harsh realities of internment.
As Dennis wraps up his video, he encourages viewers to support his channel, hinting at future content that will cover Fred Korematsu's landmark case against the United States. This case remains a significant part of the ongoing dialogue about civil rights and the treatment of Japanese Americans during and after the war, ensuring that the stories of the No-No Boys and their experiences continue to resonate today.
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Keypoints
00:00:00
Introduction
Dennis introduces the video series on Japanese internment, setting the stage for a discussion on the No-No Boys, a term referring to Japanese internees who answered 'no' to specific loyalty questionnaire questions during World War II.
00:00:27
No-No Boys Definition
The No-No Boys were enlisting-aged Japanese men who responded negatively to questions 27 and 28 of the loyalty questionnaire conducted by the War Relocation Authority in 1943, which aimed to distinguish loyal from disloyal Japanese Americans. Approximately 12,000 out of 78,000 individuals over the age of 17 were deemed disloyal and sent to Tule Lake, the harshest internment camp.
00:01:39
Public Perception
Despite the justification for their refusal to serve in the U.S. military, the No-No Boys were viewed as traitors by many, particularly at Tule Lake. This stigma persisted even after their release from internment, as the prevailing jingoism of the time painted them as disloyal.
00:02:03
Commemoration and Reflection
In 1977, Ben Takashita reflected on the stigma associated with being a No-No Boy during the dedication of a commemorative plaque at Tule Lake, expressing that he had previously hidden his identity but now felt comfortable acknowledging the complexities of loyalty among Japanese internees.
00:02:21
Closing Remarks
Dennis concludes the video by encouraging viewers to engage with his content on social justice and cultural history, promoting his Patreon and Ko-Fi for support, and teasing the next video in the series about Fred Korematsu versus the United States.