Henry T. Kamiya

FLORIDA's CONSTITUTION RACIST HISTORY FINALLY FIXED IN 2018!

The last state to eliminate this anti-Japanese language Florida citizens have finally voted to remove what has been referred to as the “alien land law”.

This language was popular in state constitutions at the turn of the 20th century and was aimed at Japanese and Asian immigrants.  The Florida constitution prohibits those "ineligible from citizenship" from owning real estate. Asian and Japanese immigrants were the focus of this 1926 Florida amendment. They were legally prohibited from becoming naturalized citizens until 1952.

This vestige of a racist and hateful time in our country's history was finally removed due to the hard work and dedication of so many. While it likely doesn't change any day to day life for any of us, it is a relief that this ignorant and insulting language has been removed from our State's Constitution.