Read about how Quaker Reverend Herbert Nicholson worked to challenge Japanese internment and anti-Japanese propaganda from the 1940s onward. With his wife Madeline Nicholson’s support,
he advocated for the rights of Japanese Americans and open
the minds of others through conversation and dedication to
shared humanity. His humanity centered approach included
visiting and conversing with detainees, personally transporting
materials to the camps, and sharing their stories. Nicholson
was ousted from Quaker organizations and justice organizations
for being a “loose cannon” and “too active.” But ultimately, his
letter-writing campaign helped to end West Coast exclusion.
Herbert and Madeline Nicholson:
"God's Sunshine Came In to Stay"
Discussion Questions
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How did Nicholson’s intersecting identities (religion,
immigration status, language abilities, race, ethnicity, etc)
influence his activism? -
How did Nicholson use his privilege to support Japanese Americans?
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What does allyship/co-conspiratorship look like in practice?
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Provide examples from the chapter.
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How could you demonstrate allyship in your own community?
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What is one way civil liberties are being threatened today. Who might
you write a letter to in order to change that? What would you say?
Key Concepts
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Freedom of speech
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Method of protest – letter writing
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Freedom to congregate and protest
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Unreasonable searches and seizures
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Right to due process
