Gordon hirabayashi biography

American sociologist (–)

Gordon Kiyoshi Hirabayashi (平林潔, Hirabayashi Kiyoshi, April 23, &#;– January 2, ) was an American sociologist, best known for his principled resistance to the Japanese American internment during World War II, and the court case which bears his name, Hirabayashi v.

United States.^[1]

Early life

Hirabayashi was born in Seattle to a Christian family who was associated with the Mukyōkai Christian Movement. He graduated from Auburn Senior High School in Auburn, Washington, and in went to the University of Washington, where he received his degree.

At the University he participated in the YMCA and became a religious pacifist.

Gordon hirabayashi biography

Resistance to internment, discrimination and war

Although Hirabayashi had originally considered accepting internment, he ultimately became one of three to openly defy it. He joined the Quaker-run American Friends Service Committee.

In he turned himself in to the FBI, and after being convicted fo