Furguson Response

Your editorial of Aug. 28 was critical of my resolution concerning the teaching of America’s World War II Act excluding those of Japanese descent from the war zone and our subsequent relocation policy. You attacked me declaring, “he wants his inaccurate and dangerous version . . . included in textbooks.” Throughout your editorial you accused me of wanting to rewrite American history. You are wrong. The whole purpose of my effort was to negate a measure last year that does urge educators to teach a revisionist history of the period.

Last year, the Legislature passed a resolution that told educators to teach that period of our history as a denial of human rights, caused by war hysteria, poor leadership and America’s racism. They also urged that the war and military necessity not be taught as any justification whatsoever.

There were many causes and reasons that motivated America’s decision regarding Roosevelt’s War Zone Exclusionary Order. I agree that war hysteria, poor leadership and racism were three of the many causes, but to deny that the attack on Pearl Harbor and the war acts off our shore also affected those decisions is preposterous.

My resolution simply said that teachers should make use of a broad array of historic research and instructional material.

GIL FERGUSON

Assemblyman, 70th District

Newport Beach