Monday Morning Musings
Volume XXIV, Number 28 (Issue 1189 ) July 13, 2026
Character Still Matters
What do you stand for? In this case, the word “stand” is key since it represents action. Thus, rather than asking about your value system or what you believe in, what I really want to know is what are the things you are prepared to defend at some personal risk/cost.
For several years I have been teaching a class on ethics to young professionals. In looking at the student feedback from the most recent staging of that class, if there was criticism, it was that the materials did not dig more deeply into some real-world examples. Taking such input to heart, I thought this might be a good time to examine a series of events from the early days of the U.S.’s entry into World War II as they offer some interesting parallels and contrasts to other events of that time as well as events past and present.
At the outset of WWII, the rumors, hysteria and perceived dangers following Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor led to the quick internment of those of Japanese descent living on the west coast. In all, roughly 125,000 individuals were required to sell all they owned and taking only what they could carry, placed on buses and trains to spend the duration of the war in heavily guarded, barbed wire enclosed detention facilities where they were routinely deprived of even the most basic of rights as guaranteed by our Constitution.
In that era, only a handful of non-Japanese Americans stood in protest to what was being done to these citizens and legal residents of this land. Most notably among those raising their voice in protest were members of the Quaker community, the then Governor of Colorado, Ralph L. Carr (at great personal and political cost to himself), a courageous Naval Intelligence Officer who was intimately familiar with those of Japanese descent after having studied them and lived among them for a period of time, and a handful of attorneys at the Justice Department. In short, not many showed they were willing to stand for what they deemed to be the right thing to do in the face of an overwhelming throng of people and entities willing to discriminate against an entire group based solely on that group’s racial background.
Compare that to individuals like my late father, father-in-law, and Sandy’s favorite aunt who together with 6.2 million other Americans volunteered to defend the free world against the tyranny and brutality of the Axis powers. (Note: a total of 16.1 million served in the US Armed Forces in WWII.) Those courageous souls took a stand. Then there are the brave men and women who rose to the occasion two-hundred and fifty years ago in defiance of the British Crown to proclaim our independence. Those founding fathers and mothers risked it all that we might partake in the great experiment that is our democracy. They certainly took a stand.
Now, fast forward to today and the millions who are taking a stand against the policies of the current administration when it comes to the treatment of those of Hispanic lineage. Whether you agree or disagree with the immigration policies of the Trump administration as they are being applied and thus the actions of ICE and the Border Patrol, one cannot help but notice and even appreciate the dramatic change in the way so many people are willing to take a stand for the values and principles they say they believe in. Quite the contrast to how so few stood up to defend the rights of another ethnic group in 1942.
Undoubtedly, we will continue to see events, if not history, repeat itself. One can only hope we will learn from the lessons of the past and strive to get better – even if we do not always succeed in the moment. So it is that in eleven more years we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the writing of another important document in our story. It begins with the words, “We the people…”
May reasoned, reasonable, and courageous people always show this nation the way forward. God bless America.
Soli Deo Gloria
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210) 260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
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