About:
The Fred T. Korematsu Institute (KI) is a national education advocacy organization committed to promoting civic participation and education to advance racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all.
Through our educational programs, media and exhibits, and speaking engagements, we inspire people and organizations to, as Fred said, “stand up for what is right.”
Why We Do What We Do
We develop educational resources, speak to educational and corporate audiences, and advocate for ethnic studies and civics education because…
We believe prejudice, xenophobia, and racism are born of ignorance and that education is the most powerful tool we have in our fight for justice.
We believe in the importance of knowing our history, understanding past mistakes, and speaking up to advance justice for all.
Urgent Initiatives
Our work feels particularly urgent in this time of political division, renewed racial reckoning, heightened violence against Asians–a time when our very democracy in this country is at stake.
These last two years have shown us a dire need to engage with more people across the country about our civil rights, responsibilities, and aspirations as individuals living in America.
FEATURED PROJECT: ”Then They Came For Me” National Tour
With support from the National Parks Service Japanese American Confinement Sites program, we are creating a national virtual and traveling exhibit and speakers bureau to engage more people across the country in conversations about the WWII Japanese American incarceration, the similarities to current violence against Asians, and connections to other marginalized communities.
We are starting with a virtual exhibit based on the recent exhibition titled,“Then They Came For Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties.” In its initial tour, we will then take the exhibit on the road to ten diverse cities across the country, where the public is less likely to know this history and its parallels to current-day racism and xenophobia. In each location, we will offer relevant and engaging programming, including prominent speakers from the Korematsu Institute Speakers Bureau, as well as local elected officials and community leaders.
This project is about connecting history to the present. It’s about encouraging deeper reflection into why and how our government acted as it did. It’s about engaging real people in real conversations about what it means to be an American. Most importantly, it’s about encouraging more people to see themselves in others and become more civically involved.
Arizona Workshop
We are bringing a group of educators to visit the WWII incarceration sites at Gila River and Poston in Arizona to explore the intersecting histories of the Japanese American and Native American communities in this area. Participants will learn more about the local histories, communities, and cultures, and develop new, standards-aligned lesson plans for teachers to use nationwide.
New Curriculum
In partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, we are also working to develop new standards-aligned lesson plans for history and social studies teachers across the country covering critically relevant topics, such as immigration and detention, resistance to the WWII Japanese American incarceration, Executive Order 9066 and the Constitution, and racial justice.
Film Updates
We are remastering the two-time Emmy-award winning film, Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story. Further, by adding new conversations between Fred’s daughter, Dr. Karen Korematsu, and other social justice leaders and advocates, we are bringing the relevancy of the Fred Korematsu story to issues facing our country now and into the future.
Ongoing Work
In addition to the urgent projects above, we continue to work towards the following goals:
Fred Korematsu Day
Nationwide
Over a dozen cities and states across the country have recognized Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30. We would like to see national recognition for the day so that it may serve as a reminder and inspiration for people of all ages to stand up for what is right.
K-12 Ethnic Studies Education Nationwide
As Ambassador to California Education, Dr. Karen Korematsu has helped advance ethnic studies requirements in the state. We are committed to advance similar such efforts across the country to require ethnic studies curriculum and professional development at all levels of education.
Will you support us?
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on grants and donations from other organizations and individuals like you to fund our work.
While we have support for our urgent initiatives from the National Parks Service Japanese American Confinement Sites program, the Japanese American Community Foundation, and generous donors, we still require additional funds to ensure our projects’ success.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support these initiatives and help us advance racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all.