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Loyal American: Fred Korematsu, Japanese Internment, and Self-Sacrifice

45 min

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

  • What challenges are you facing?
  • What fears or concerns might you have?
  • What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

  • How did Fred Korematsu identify himself? Why did his identity cause problems?
  • What was Fred Korematsu’s purpose in refusing to go to the internment camp?
  • What actions did Fred Korematsu take to fight for his rights as an American citizen?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

  • What is the historical context of the narrative?
  • What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
  • How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
  • How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
  • How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
  • What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
  • Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
  • How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
  • Students will analyze the self-sacrificial practices of Fred Korematsu in fighting against Japanese-American internment.
  • Students will apply their knowledge of self-sacrifice to their own lives.
  • Students will determine ways that they can sacrifice their own wants and needs to help support greater causes.

Student Handouts