We Hereby Refuse

Frank Abe's "We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration" stands as a significant contribution to the historical record of Japanese American experiences during World War II. This work challenges the prevailing narrative that has long dominated discussions of the wartime incarceration, one that often emphasized quiet compliance and patriotic service. Instead, Abe shines a light on the stories of those who actively resisted the forced removal and imprisonment of Japanese Americans, providing a more complete and nuanced understanding of this dark chapter in American history.

The book centers on individuals who made the difficult and dangerous choice to resist government orders during a time when doing so invited severe consequences. These resisters took various forms of action, from refusing to register for the draft while incarcerated behind barbed wire to challenging the constitutionality of the exclusion orders in court. Their acts of defiance were not mere gestures but principled stands against what they viewed as fundamental violations of their civil rights as American citizens.

Abe's work is particularly valuable in its focus on the draft resisters of Heart Mountain, one of the ten War Relocation Authority camps where Japanese Americans were imprisoned. The Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee became the most organized resistance group, with members arguing that they should not be required to serve in the military while their families remained imprisoned and their constitutional rights remained suspended. This moral and legal position, though unpopular at the time even within the Japanese American community, raised questions about citizenship, loyalty, and justice that remain relevant today.

The book also examines the cases of individuals who challenged their incarceration through the legal system. These court challenges represent another form of resistance, as individuals risked everything to assert their constitutional rights. The legal battles that emerged from these cases would eventually reach the Supreme Court, though the outcomes during wartime were largely unfavorable to the challengers. Abe's treatment of these legal challenges helps readers understand the complex interplay between law, politics, and civil rights during a period of national crisis.

One of the strengths of this work is its willingness to explore the tensions within the Japanese American community itself. The resisters faced criticism not only from the government but also from other Japanese Americans who believed that cooperation and military service were the best paths to proving loyalty and securing their future in America. Abe does not shy away from these difficult internal conflicts, presenting a community grappling with impossible choices under extraordinary circumstances.

The book also serves as an important corrective to historical narratives that have sometimes minimized or overlooked resistance. For decades, the story of Japanese American wartime experience was often told primarily through the lens of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and other Nisei soldiers who served with distinction in the U.S. military. While these stories of military service are undeniably important and heroic, Abe's work demonstrates that they represent only one response to incarceration. The resisters' stories deserve equal recognition as part of the full historical record.

Abe brings a personal connection to this material, having spent years researching and documenting these stories of resistance. His commitment to recovering and preserving these histories is evident throughout the work. The book draws on extensive research, including interviews, archival documents, and historical records, to reconstruct events and provide context for the resisters' actions and motivations.

The relevance of this book extends beyond its historical documentation. The questions raised by the resisters about government power, civil liberties during wartime, and the responsibilities of citizenship continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about security, freedom, and justice. The book invites reflection on how democratic societies balance competing demands and how individuals respond when faced with orders that conflict with their understanding of fundamental rights.

"We Hereby Refuse" represents an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the full complexity of the Japanese American wartime experience. By documenting resistance alongside compliance, protest alongside service, Abe provides a more complete picture of how a community responded to grave injustice. The book honors the courage of those who said no when saying yes would have been easier, and in doing so, enriches the historical record for current and future generations.