The Eagles of Heart Mountain: A True Story of Football, Incarceration, and Resistance in World War II America

by Bradford Pearson

Colorado governor Ralph Carr, who bounced around the state as a child as his father chased gold, grew up around Chinese immigrants. A conservative, anti–New Deal Republican, he spoke fluent Spanish and socialized with the small issei community in the town of La Jara, refusing to believe the men were used as tools of Japan. He idolized Abraham Lincoln and shared with him the belief that American liberty and democracy were what separated the country from other nations. In a radio address three days after Pearl Harbor, he reminded Coloradans of the country’s heritage. “From every nation of the globe people have come to the United States who sought to live as free men here under our plan of government,” he said. “We cannot test the degree of a man’s affections for his fellow or his devotion to his country by the birthplace of his grandfathers.” Colorado, he said, would open its doors. “If Colorado’s part in the war is to take 100,000 of them, then Colorado will take care of them,” he told the surprised room. Months later as a mob confronted the first trainloads of nikkei to the southeast corner of the state, he challenged the protesters, saying, “If you harm them you must harm me. I was brought up in a small town where I knew the shame and dishonor of race hatred.” Pointing at the men, he added, “I grew to despise it because it threatened the happiness of you, and you, and you.” Voters rewarded him by voting for his opponent, Roosevelt loyalist Edwin C. Johnson, in his run for...