Korematsu's conviction was overturned in the 1980s after the disclosure of new evidence, challenging the necessity of the Japanese internment, which had been withheld from the courts by the U.S. government during the war. These documents revealed that the military had lied to the Supreme Court, and that government lawyers had willingly made false arguments. His adult children were shocked to learn of their father's activism and early legal battles as he never talked about it after the courts upheld his conviction of resisting the internment orders.
In 1998 Korematsu was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. Later in life Korematsu reinvigorated his social activism and advocated for rule of law and the protection of immigrant rights, especially for Muslim citizens post 9/11. Recently the Smithsonian announced the inclusion of Korematsu's portrait in the museum's collection.
Korematsu died in 2005 and is now buried in Mt. View Cemetery with a large granite rock marking his grave. To me the granite represents the strength and endurance of his principles. The flowers laid at the right side of his tombstone include a note of thanks from an admirer who was inspired by the history of Korematsu's civil rights struggles. His life work is admired by area progressives, but he remains largely unknown to local citizens.
Linking to Taphophile Tragics.
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