The Korematsu case represented one of the darkest periods in American History. An entire class of American people (including some citizens) was forced to surrender their due process rights. The sole criteria used for this denial was their ancestry. The fact that they had pronounced ethnic features made it even easier to identify them and force them into the “assembly camps.” The actions of the United States government in this case took place in 1942. To view the entire Korematsu decision, click here http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&court=US&case=/us/319/432.html
Using various resources to study the full impact of that decision and the events that have unfolded since that decision was issued, you are to write an organized, well-reasoned essay defending or attacking a similar decision in our society today. Your essay must include at least the following:
1. Would our government again suspend the constitutional rights of a selected race?
2. Given the advancements in technology, would the impact be greater or lesser than it was in Korematsu?
3. If, in fact, the government did suspend those rights, would the U.S. Supreme Court support the decision of the government? What would the U.S. Supreme Court base its decision on?
4. What decision would you reach if you were a member of (Congress?) the U.S. Supreme Court?
As with any project of this nature, your decisions on these questions are relatively unimportant to the final grade. What will be important is the reasoning, which you use to support your position for each of the four tasks. I have included a list of resources, which you may want to use to gather information on this task. Be sure that an appropriate citation is included for each quote.
Remember when we looked at the movie, “The Siege” in class? You may want to rent that movie (or catch it on Encore this month). Look at how the bombings in that movie made you feel. Can you see that justifying an action that you might have otherwise disagreed with?
There are several topics, which are related that should help you develop a feel for popular opinion in America on these subjects. If you choose to look at these other topics, keep it simple.
Apartheid (The Bill of Rights)
The Holocaust (The Bill of Rights)
Gun Control (2d Amendment)
As part of this project, our class will be putting on a special edition “Karlo,”
A popular television talk show. Students will be asked to answer specific questions from the host that are based on the work that they submitted. Participation is mandatory.
The show will take place as a free form debate on the issue of internment during times when National Security may be threatened.
Students will be graded in four overall categories:
1. Persuasiveness of their arguments for or against the suspension of constitutional rights.
2. The ability of the student to incorporate references and citations into his/her argument.
3. The extent to which the student effectively participates in the “Karlo” show.
4. Overall organization, including addressing each part of the task.
It is expected that the students will develop an appreciation of the rights guaranteed under The Constitution in addition to understanding the circumstances under which those rights might be suspended. The students will also learn how to present their arguments publicly in a well-reasoned manner.
Resources:
http://www.tourolaw.edu/patch/Korematsu/
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/dynaweb/ead/calher/jvac?
http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/harmony/Documents/wrapam.html