Historical Precedents

Evidence of Disloyalty of American-Born Japanese booklet, 1945 This booklet was published by the Remember Pearl Harbor League who were outraged that Japanese-Americans were being released from Internment Camps. The booklet characterizes all Japanese-Americans as “alien enemies” and calls for their deportation. All though there was no evidence of espionage, the League argues that “racial prejudice and industrial competition do no enter into question.” 

Banish Japs Forever, 1945 When Japanese and Japanese-Americans were released from internment camps, Nifty Garrett, a prominent Seattle businessman and owner the Sumner Standard, published the words “Banish Japs Forever” on the front page of his paper for 30 months. The paper encourages readers to cut that page and put it in their windshield.   

No Japs Wanted Graffiti, 1945 When Japanese and Japanese-Americans were released from internment camps, Nifty Garrett, a prominent Seattle businessman and owner the Sumner Standard, published the words “Banish Japs Forever” on the front page of his paper for 30 months. The paper encourages readers to cut that page and put it in their windshield.

Bugs Bunny Nips The Nips, 1944 Nip and Jap rose in popularity to the point of ubiquity and desensitization, as evidenced in this Merrie Melodies cartoon produced by Warner Bros. In this title card, Bugs Bunny is painting the Rising Sun Flag, which was adopted by the Imperial Japanese army and is still seen as an offensive, imperialist symbol in China and South Korea.