My greatest fear is that somewhere down the road, my yet unborn grandchildren will be taught in school that the events of January 6 were simply a peaceful protest after our glorious 45th president was cheated out of his rightful 2nd term by the Deep State and a terror group called Antifa.
History matters, it is, for each and every one of us, our legacy.
I am guessing you are using ironic satire when you describe a "glorious" Trump, the non-existent "Deep State" and a group whose very name meant they were anti-Fascist opponents of our very Fascist #45TRAITOR. My father and uncles were anti-Fascists. One died fighting Nazi fanatics in Germany. He was killed less than 15 days before V-E Day. Mr. Takei and his family suffered imprisonment by an uncaring U.S. Government during the war, and his Japanese-American people have never been fully made whole, by monetary compensation or apologies for the illegal imprisonment.
Yes it was ironic. They are saying they fear that those words will be taught in a textbook as truth. They don't want the Jan 6th people to go unpunished and then see the story whitewashed in the history books by the right wing saying they were peaceful patriots or some b.s.
That's your greatest fear? How was it that much different from Occupy Wall Street? The enemy here isn't each other, it is the corruption in our systems. We need to unify against the corruption. These echo chambers are getting us nowhere.
Thank you..This is history I was not taught about, and it saddens me. And, it infuriates me to know there are those in government, both state and federal, that want to erase the history of others even today. Never give up.
Back in the early 2000s, I was a returning adult college student. One of the mandatory classes was Public Speaking. I had to give a 15 minute speech on a topic of my choice.
I had read your book "To The Stars" not long before. I gave that speech about you, the internment of your family, and all the other Japanese Americans during WW II. As it turned out, only the professor and I knew the history of what happened before I spoke.
The other students were in their late teens or so. Not one of them had been taught about the internment. They were stunned and horrified. And yet, now the GOP is attempting to make what I had presented that day unlawful because it might "make the White students feel bad." 🙄
This censoring of our history must be stopped at the voting booth nationwide before it's too late.
Excellent piece. It's easy to get complacent with so much going on around us. I appreciate the push to stay engaged and disallow complacency to set in. Very excited for The Big Picture in my inbox over time. Thank you for all you do.
Mar 2, 2023·edited Mar 15, 2023Liked by George Takei
Excellent article, sir. It shows just how out of control the political system has become. Are Democrats perfect? Absolutely not. But in my opinion, they are SAINTS compared to the current GQP. As others have said, January 6 must not be glossed over in any way, shape, or form. To do so would undermine our system of government for all time.
It saddens me that what you write about here would today be viewed as indoctrination by too many in powerful positions, when it is merely the truth and in the spirt of what it means to be patriotic. I’m always heartened to see many examples from the most marginalized among us who show up, hopeful of our potential and the American ideal. We should be critical when the government and business fail to live up to America’s promise of equality for all. So, yes I’ll continue to walk the path of justice, while exhausting but important work. All of our freedoms depend on this fight, and I am so thankful for your voice and this new platform.
Every word of this resonates. You are truly an example of class and perseverance, George Takei, thank you for your advocacy and your voice in the public spaces, you're an inspiration to me! ❤❤❤
Yes! Affirmative! I've finished reading Uncle George's essay ..... with over a dozen deep breaths. And I will reread it again for few more times to appreciate the meaning of America he's trying to convey. For now I'm eternally grateful about this essay!!!
Required reading! If only ALL elected officials would take a moment, sit down and really digest this, dropping for a moment their tiresome partisan buffoonery. If only....
This is a great perspective, but I confess that I'm not sure I can adopt it because I'm so ANGRY at what Dumpy did to our country and what his followers, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, continue to say. But learning to take this longer view is just as worthy a journey as waiting to see justice done.
Thank you, George, for your unique perspective on the heartbreaking injustices endured by so many Japanese-American citizens sent to those Internment Camps during WWII ... I clearly remember our "Bomb Drills back in the early 50's (I was born in 1949), hiding under our Elementary School Desks - as if that would offer any protection from the devastation of a Nuclear Bomb !? ... & although I went through a series of Courses (some called "Accelerated", some called "Honors") in Jr. High School in the Boston area; in Middle School & High School in the Philadelphia vicinity, & specifically took a course, as a Senior in HS called "Honors PAD (Problems of American Democracy) taught by a Professor from neighboring College, I may have learned a lot - but in hindsight, I doubt the Japanese Internment Camps during WW II were given more than a brief mention. I've followed you for several years on F'book, remember clearly when the original Star Trek became the "must watch" show in our Co-Ed College Dormitory, & I look forward to reading more of "The Big Picture" in the future. P.S. - I went on to major in International Relations (predominantly History) in Undergraduate School & Intercultural Communications in Grad. School - & I think it's appalling that, to this day, the real History of the US of America has never been fully taught - & is now, in danger of disappearing altogether ... Tragedy upon Tragedy ... but you're so "Right On !" : it's not the Destination - it's the Journey, staying on & being True to "the Path" forward. Thank you - you are truly a "National Treasure" - honoring your Japanese ancestors & your adopted American home.
Thank you for weaving this history together. In 2022, Biden signed the authorization to form Amache National Historic Site in lonely eastern Colorado. I wish it were closer to densely populated areas so more people to see it. As I recall, George, was that your family was interred there.
My greatest fear is that somewhere down the road, my yet unborn grandchildren will be taught in school that the events of January 6 were simply a peaceful protest after our glorious 45th president was cheated out of his rightful 2nd term by the Deep State and a terror group called Antifa.
History matters, it is, for each and every one of us, our legacy.
Well said.
I am guessing you are using ironic satire when you describe a "glorious" Trump, the non-existent "Deep State" and a group whose very name meant they were anti-Fascist opponents of our very Fascist #45TRAITOR. My father and uncles were anti-Fascists. One died fighting Nazi fanatics in Germany. He was killed less than 15 days before V-E Day. Mr. Takei and his family suffered imprisonment by an uncaring U.S. Government during the war, and his Japanese-American people have never been fully made whole, by monetary compensation or apologies for the illegal imprisonment.
Yes it was ironic. They are saying they fear that those words will be taught in a textbook as truth. They don't want the Jan 6th people to go unpunished and then see the story whitewashed in the history books by the right wing saying they were peaceful patriots or some b.s.
I call it sarcasm, but yes.
That's your greatest fear? How was it that much different from Occupy Wall Street? The enemy here isn't each other, it is the corruption in our systems. We need to unify against the corruption. These echo chambers are getting us nowhere.
Do you want to unify? https://joshketry.substack.com/p/lets-unify-over-our-biggest-problem
Hey you do you.
Thank you..This is history I was not taught about, and it saddens me. And, it infuriates me to know there are those in government, both state and federal, that want to erase the history of others even today. Never give up.
Never give up!
Hi, Mr. Takei,
Back in the early 2000s, I was a returning adult college student. One of the mandatory classes was Public Speaking. I had to give a 15 minute speech on a topic of my choice.
I had read your book "To The Stars" not long before. I gave that speech about you, the internment of your family, and all the other Japanese Americans during WW II. As it turned out, only the professor and I knew the history of what happened before I spoke.
The other students were in their late teens or so. Not one of them had been taught about the internment. They were stunned and horrified. And yet, now the GOP is attempting to make what I had presented that day unlawful because it might "make the White students feel bad." 🙄
This censoring of our history must be stopped at the voting booth nationwide before it's too late.
Excellent piece. It's easy to get complacent with so much going on around us. I appreciate the push to stay engaged and disallow complacency to set in. Very excited for The Big Picture in my inbox over time. Thank you for all you do.
Excited to have you here as a reader, Lisa. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
We need to be aggressively, pushing back on the lies and propaganda. They have sold too many people to their narrative.
Excellent article, sir. It shows just how out of control the political system has become. Are Democrats perfect? Absolutely not. But in my opinion, they are SAINTS compared to the current GQP. As others have said, January 6 must not be glossed over in any way, shape, or form. To do so would undermine our system of government for all time.
Dear George -
Thank you for this illuminating piece and for your efforts to inch US closer to aligning with our ideals.
“... only with continued engagement and vigilance by all of us will we achieve the justice we seek.” Yes.
It saddens me that what you write about here would today be viewed as indoctrination by too many in powerful positions, when it is merely the truth and in the spirt of what it means to be patriotic. I’m always heartened to see many examples from the most marginalized among us who show up, hopeful of our potential and the American ideal. We should be critical when the government and business fail to live up to America’s promise of equality for all. So, yes I’ll continue to walk the path of justice, while exhausting but important work. All of our freedoms depend on this fight, and I am so thankful for your voice and this new platform.
Every word of this resonates. You are truly an example of class and perseverance, George Takei, thank you for your advocacy and your voice in the public spaces, you're an inspiration to me! ❤❤❤
Japanese interment, Jan 6, today's GOP are all a huge disgrace to our Country's image. We can do better, lets just get along.
Yes! Affirmative! I've finished reading Uncle George's essay ..... with over a dozen deep breaths. And I will reread it again for few more times to appreciate the meaning of America he's trying to convey. For now I'm eternally grateful about this essay!!!
Required reading! If only ALL elected officials would take a moment, sit down and really digest this, dropping for a moment their tiresome partisan buffoonery. If only....
This is a great perspective, but I confess that I'm not sure I can adopt it because I'm so ANGRY at what Dumpy did to our country and what his followers, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, continue to say. But learning to take this longer view is just as worthy a journey as waiting to see justice done.
George and Jay (and awesome staff):
"Justice is a path to walk."
This should be a t-shirt, a bumper sticker, etc..
Part of proceeds to cause(s) supporting this premise?
What say you guys?
I know an artist who could do a fabulous rendering of this sentiment (I'm sure you know many as well)
Thank you, George, for your unique perspective on the heartbreaking injustices endured by so many Japanese-American citizens sent to those Internment Camps during WWII ... I clearly remember our "Bomb Drills back in the early 50's (I was born in 1949), hiding under our Elementary School Desks - as if that would offer any protection from the devastation of a Nuclear Bomb !? ... & although I went through a series of Courses (some called "Accelerated", some called "Honors") in Jr. High School in the Boston area; in Middle School & High School in the Philadelphia vicinity, & specifically took a course, as a Senior in HS called "Honors PAD (Problems of American Democracy) taught by a Professor from neighboring College, I may have learned a lot - but in hindsight, I doubt the Japanese Internment Camps during WW II were given more than a brief mention. I've followed you for several years on F'book, remember clearly when the original Star Trek became the "must watch" show in our Co-Ed College Dormitory, & I look forward to reading more of "The Big Picture" in the future. P.S. - I went on to major in International Relations (predominantly History) in Undergraduate School & Intercultural Communications in Grad. School - & I think it's appalling that, to this day, the real History of the US of America has never been fully taught - & is now, in danger of disappearing altogether ... Tragedy upon Tragedy ... but you're so "Right On !" : it's not the Destination - it's the Journey, staying on & being True to "the Path" forward. Thank you - you are truly a "National Treasure" - honoring your Japanese ancestors & your adopted American home.
Thank you for weaving this history together. In 2022, Biden signed the authorization to form Amache National Historic Site in lonely eastern Colorado. I wish it were closer to densely populated areas so more people to see it. As I recall, George, was that your family was interred there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amache_National_Historic_Site