"All of them turned their backs on me at that time because they thought I was a troublemaker"

Fred Korematsu's quote reflects the difficult situation he dealt with when he refused to comply with the United States government's orders to transfer Japanese Americans throughout World War II. His refusal to comply with the orders was seen as a form of civil disobedience, and as an outcome, he was ostracized by his peers. His peers most likely saw him as a nuisance for withstanding the government, and as an outcome, they turned their backs on him. This quote talks to the nerve and strength of character that Korematsu needed to defend what he believed in, even when it suggested dealing with opposition from those around him. His actions were ultimately vindicated when the Supreme Court ruled that the moving orders were unconstitutional. His story acts as an example of the power of defending what is right, even when it is hard.