Second Opinion / OTHER MEDIA : RAFU SHIMPO : Victim As Discriminator

Two weeks ago, with the urging of two other Rafu Shimpo employees, I called a particular Japanese credit union to refinance a new car. I was familiar with the name of this credit union because it has been advertised in the newspaper for many years.

I phoned this credit union, and the woman on the other side asked me a few questions. It seemed natural (she) would want to know a little of my background. However, after some questions, I realized what she was leading up to.

I made it easier on her and said, “Are you asking me if I’m Japanese-American?”

She answered, “yes,” and I told her I was not. She then told me I did not qualify. She did, however, tell me that I could qualify if I was married to a Japanese-American or a Japanese national. I was speechless. I told her thank you very much and hung up.

It is ironic that the very same Japanese credit unions that are discriminating against other races were formed as a result of racial discrimination against the Japanese. Many Japanese-Americans pooled their money to purchase farm and other business equipment. These groups became credit unions as we know them today.

As I swept the streets of South-Central during the (post-riot) cleanup efforts, I remember thinking to myself that I hoped all this destruction was not in vain and that out of this crisis, people would become more racially sensitive.

Perhaps some of us have yet to learn.