Last night, I had the craptastic Karate Kid III on the TV for whatever reason. Probably because I've always enjoyed Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi.
Anyway, there's a line about the 442nd. I knew that the U.S. military was segregated back then but I never knew any of the details. So I alowed Wiki to fill in some gaps in my WWII history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Regimental_Combat_Team#Training_and_organizationThe most highly decorated unit of its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. Army, including 21 Medal of Honor recipients.
President Roosevelt announced the formation of the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team (the “Go For Broke” regiment), famously saying, “Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry.” Nevertheless, families of the regiment’s members remained interned.That's nice, real nice. We stick their loved ones in concentration camps while these young men voluteer to fight our enemies. They even swore a loyalty oath that the would pledge
"unqualified allegiance to the United States of America and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or domestic forces, and forswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power or organization?”From the first film. From the transcript. Like Quint's speech from Jaws, it's the emotional high point of the first film:
It's Mr. Miyagi's annual "celebration" of the anniversary of the deaths of his wife and son at the tender mercies of the Manzanar, CA "relocation" camp. The one day of the year he allows himself to "get out of balance," get drunk and wallow in self pity.
I am usually in tears by its end.
My mother beat into my head many lessons. One was that the internment of Japanese-Americans is a shameful chapter in our history.
Here's the transcript:
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I didn't know you were a singer. How are you doing?
Daniel-san, come inside.
What's that song you were singing?
Japanese blues.
Kampai.
Kampai.
Banzai!
To baby trees.
Not bonsai. Banzai!
Banzai.
Banzai!
Banzai!
Close enough.
What are we celebrating here?
Anniversary.
Whose anniversary? (looking at picture) Is this your wife? I didn't know you were married.
Damn beautiful, don't you think?
Yeah, she's pretty.
First time I saw her was cane field, Hawaii.
Beautiful.
Damn good cane cutter, too.
Where is she now?
Drink, drink, Daniel-san. Look, look. (picture of pregnant wife) First American-born Miyagi waiting to be born. Drink, drink.
(Miyagi talking to himself.)
"Sergeant Miyagi!
"Yes, sir! Sergeant Miyagi reporting. Killed many Jerry Germans, sir."
"Sergeant Miyagi."
"Yes, sir."
"Regret to inform wife have complications at birth."
Complications. No doctor came. Land of free, home of brave.
No doctor came.
(Miyagi passes out)