Powerful George Takei Thread: So fight with me. Stand up. Vote.

[Nevilledog]

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I have heard many say that never in their lives have they experienced such fear, that the America they know might be gone for good. Here’s why I have hoped with my head high and my eyes focused ahead. /1 #MondayMotivation #50DaysLeft

When I was just 5 years old, soldiers marched up to our home in Los Angeles and ordered us out. We had done nothing wrong, our crime was looking like the people who had bombed Pearl Harbor. The laws and the Constitution failed to protect us. /2

No one dared stand up for us then. Politicians on both sides, from FDR in the White House to Earl Warren in Sacramento, took advantage of the fear and racism for their own political gain. We lost our home. Our friends lost businesses. We all lost our freedom. /3

I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance from a makeshift classroom inside the barbed wire fence of an internment camp. Most of us spoke English because we were born in America and were U.S. citizens. But that didn’t matter. America had forgotten its promises. /4

After we were out, many of us, including myself, dedicated our lives to ensuring that something like this would never happen again inside of America. We knew how fragile our freedoms and liberties really were. We knew we had to safeguard them. /5

Today, I have no doubt that if something similar happened to one group of people, there would be massive protests and an upswell of support. From this I understand thatwWe have learned much as a country. But it’s also very easy for us to forget, to be misled, to diminish. /6

It takes hard work to keep our Republic and our democracy strong. Every time we stand up against the forces of fascism, for the rule of law, for decency and humanity, we strike a blow against tyranny and evil. The fight is what keeps us vigilant and strong. /7

We have not faced such an existential threat to our system since I was a child. And so once again, we must stand and meet it. When we do, we will emerge stronger, and the lessons will be felt in our bones for future generations to heed and appreciate. /8

This is why I remain motivated, why I do not despair, why I know that while we have been here before, we can overcome it. We must summon enough strength and win the hearts of all good Americans. In 50 days, we can and will prevail. /9

I am 83 years old, but I am also that 5 year old, looking out at a dusty American flag and reciting those words, “With liberty and justice for all.” Only now, I know their true meaning after a lifetime of fighting for them. So fight with me. Stand up. Vote. /end

[DarthDem]

1. Tears in my eyes

Wow. Thank you, George!!!!!

[iluvtennis]

15. + 1. nt

[CaptYossarian]

2. I'm so sorry and embarrassed for our country.

The laws of probability would be that we had (some) Japanese sympathizers during the war, but I know for a fact that the White House today still has Nazi sympathizers.

Our government knew in the 30s that atrocities were happening in Europe, but failed to act until Pearl Harbor occurred.

Reciting the Pledge behind barbed wire? Neither Kafka nor Dosteovsky couldn't team up to write this.

[geardaddy]

29. We had Nazi sympathizers prior to and during WWII

Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, Prescott Bush to name a few.

[CaptYossarian]

35. Prescott laundered Nazi money just like Fred Trump did.

Even while George H.W. Bush was getting shot down.

[geardaddy]

38. I didn't know that about Fred Trump

but I'm not surprised.

[CaptYossarian]

39. Donnie learned EVERYTHING from him.

Even the treason.

[Spazito]

3. Wow, very powerful...

an important reminder as well.

[Laelth]

4. Damn! That's powerful.

k&r for George Takei!



-Laelth

[Karadeniz]

5. He never fails, does he? Thanks so much for letting us see this!❤

[dixiechiken1]

6. I got chills reading that...

Very powerful.

[Aristus]

8. I read it while hearing his beautiful baritone voice.

Very moving.

Once Biden is in office (please, God!) he should run a PSA of little Japanese-American children saluting the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school. The camera then pulls back to reveal that the school is behind barbed wire and plank-faced Army guards.

The message is that we should never again endanger the civil rights of any Americans...

[KS Toronado]

31. That's a fantastic idea, would make a powerful and moving statement.

[burrowowl]

7. George telling it like it is!

[Trailrider1951]

9. I love this man

He is truly a national treasure. Thanks, George! Keep reminding us to live up to our country's promise to its citizens: "with liberty and justice for all".

[Rebl2]

10. Thanks

for saying this. We need to hear/read this right now. Vote like your life depends on it, because it does.

[DownriverDem]

11. Thanks for all you do George

We need folks like you to remind us of how things were so we don't repeat it.

[MustLoveBeagles]

13. Wow

Very moving and a reminder that we shouldn't give up without a fight.

[PatrickforO]

14. I never knew this about George.

That he was in an internment camp.

He's right though. 'Them' is us, and we are the ones who need to stand up and prevent this republic from falling.

[volstork]

16. Powerful words

from a true patriot.

[erronis]

17. I hate it when I click DU Like I only get one vote. Get me some valentines, please!

[Hekate]

18. KnR

[Ferrets are Cool]

19. It's so funny....

for some reason, the words "for liberty and justice for ALL" has been on my mind the entire day. Now I know why.

[Jarqui]

20. That was moving

He's a great American

[tecelote]

21. In 2016, I thought we were so far beyond this.

It makes me sick that we are not.

[Evolve Dammit]

22. Thank you George. Salute to you.

[warmfeet]

23. That is the best thing I have ever read.

George Takei is a mensch. He is a human being of immeasurable voice. His ideas involve our measurable need. I hope we follow his advice. Perhaps, we can demonstrate our ability to learn from our mistakes.

I think we can. I know we can. I will fight with George, I will vote with George.

[Yeehah]

24. Takei is an inspiration for those who want to help make the USA a better nation

A true patriot.

[Talitha]

25. This REALLY needs to be converted into a Biden ad... very powerful!

We love you, George!

[NoRoadUntravelled]

26. I love George Takei

He exemplifies the beauty of forgiveness, the resiliency of the human spirit and the hope that even when life is harsher than we believe can be endured, the tide will change and we go on.

[Cha]

27. RtX6!

[robbob]

28. But regarding his point /6: it already HAS happened again

to immigrants crossing the border, children ripped from their families, now stories of dubious medical procedures being done to these people, army veterans who were promised a fast track to citizenship being deported, some with service related medical conditions...

The list goes on. Where are the mass protests? It’s already yesterday’s news.

[grantcart]

30. Just today 600,000 legal TPS holders lost their standing and can be legally

Removed from the country WITHOUT ANY RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL REVIEW (which was waived when they accepted their temporary status).

These are people who have social security cards and lived and worked legally in the US under legislation that was passed by Republican and Democratic administrations with large bipartisan legislative majorities.

These folks have lived here legally for 20 years and have American spouses (like my daughter) and children.

They will be easy to find because they have kept their home and work addresses up to date.

Only one politician wanted to do this.

I spoke at a dozen demonstrations about this having badgered organizers, but it is all under the radar.

Today the appellate court approved (and the law really didn't give them any wiggle room) Trump's move to make 600,000 legal residents illegal.

George it's happening today, no protests are happening.

[Oppaloopa]

37. If the stories about the hysterectomy's are true we are worse.

I am waiting for those stories to be checked out and put on CNN

[panfluteman]

32. George's Last Name, Takei, Means "Bamboo Well" in Japanese

At least that's the most common way of writing Takei, and the only one I've seen.

[dchill]

33. K&R.

[redgreenandblue]

34. I hear WWII was a pretty shitty situation all around.

It is easy today to condemn some of the decisions that were made at the time. Much harder to sit back and think about what the correct and ethical way of dealing with the situation would have been.

Consider this:

1. Your country is currently in a "total war" state with another country, where the targeted destruction of the civilian population of that country is considered an act of legitimate warfare.

2. This war is fully justified, as the other country is clearly the aggressor.

3. You are drafting young men by the thousands and sending them to die or be maimed.

4. You have a sizable population of first-generation immigrants from that very country at home.

You can argue about the exact way it was done, but it seems that separating this group from the remainder of the country is a necessary thing to do under this conditions. Not only is it very likely that they will subject to attacks at some point, it is also not unlikely that at least some of them will not be all too pleased about hearing, say, about the dropping of two thermonuclear devices on places in which they might have relatives.

Furthermore, given that many people were drafted into this war against their will, George Takei can consider himself privileged in one respect: At least he got to grow up with two parents who were alive. Many others at the time were not so lucky.

That said, paying a compensation to those who were detained also seems to be a very reasonable thing.

Flame away.

[calimary]

36. Glad he's still speaking out.

We need him!