Daniel Inouye was “different, not less” personified. An amputee, this applied to his disability, but also to the other facets of his identity that were targeted during his lifetime, like his race. He proved time and time again that he is capable, dedicated and level-headed. And with these traits, he accomplished more than many do in their lifetime.
Inouye’s life is the latest subject of “American Masters: Renegades,” a documentary series showcasing the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. Each short is 12-minutes long and shines the spotlight on one individual. The crew telling these stories come with the background of being disabled, too, adding a layer of authenticity and a palpable sense of passion for bringing justice to these forgotten icons.
Through archived footage, recreations and interviews with Inouye’s son, himself, and his former chief of staff, viewers of “Renegades” can piece together not only Inouye’s life story but also his long-standing impact on individuals across the nation.
Inouye was born in 1924, the first-born son of two Japanese-American immigrants who settled in Honolulu, Hawaii. After the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, his Americanness was put on test. Moved to enlist for the U.S. army, he first had to prove he wasn’t an enemy to the country. He ultimately was one of the first 75 to enlist in a World War II combat team that was segregated out to be all Japanese Americans.
Diligent and responsible, Inouye quickly moved the ranks during his time in combat. One fateful day, Inouye sustained three shots, which cost him an arm. Publicly, Inouye put on a brave face, but privately he did go through some struggles as a new amputee. Notably, for the rest of his life, Inouye did not identify as disabled.
Director Tammy “TS” Botkin spoke to this: “As I dug [into researching Inouye], I found that Inouye didn’t define himself as ‘disabled,’ presumably to navigate programming from ancestry, culture, and a society stymied by the rampant marginalization and discrimination against people with disabilities.”
Botkin also connected Inouye’s reaction to people who may feel similarly today.
“This realization allowed an exploration of shifting attitudes toward disability in a way that’s more palatable for people who still struggle with old definitions and programming,” Botkin said. “My hope is that while people connect to Inouye, they also connect to a healthier view of what it means to have a disability.”
Outside of his time in combat, Inouye went on to have a fruitful career in politics, something he likely wouldn’t have considered if he hadn’t lost part of his arm— previously he was inclined by a career path in music or as a surgeon. He won territorial seats, then moved up to the U.S. House of Representatives, and eventually became third in line for the presidency if something were to happen to both the President and VP.
While campaigning to be the first U.S. Senator from the new state of Hawaii in 1959, counter protesters showed up accusing him of being a communist. He stood proudly on stage and said, “I gave this arm to fight fascism. I will gladly give this arm (he raised his non-amputated side) to fight communism.” This quote shows an unwavering commitment to his country and to democracy. He eventually won the seat.
Significantly, Inouye was a strong proponent of civil rights and civil liberties, as he promoted equality for all people. Co-writer and co-producer Angel Williams, who also is a 2022 Entertainment Lab Alumna, shared why it was special and important to tell Inouye’s story: “Being a disabled Army veteran, it was an honor to produce this episode to bring the awareness of not just Senator Inouye’s support and work for the disabled and veteran community but for all marginalized communities.”
Inouye received a Presidential Medal of Honor in 2000, and posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Inouye passed away in 2012 at the age of 88.
View the full piece on Inouye on the PBS website. The crew for this film included Tammy “TS” Botkin (director/co-producer/co-writer), and Angel Williams (co-producer/co-writer), with original artwork by Adriano Araújo dos Reis Botega. The series creator and senior producer is Day Al-Mohamed, with executive producer Charlotte Mangin, series producer Amanda Upson, and producer Ryan Camarda.
“American Masters: Renegades” premiered on PBS on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, and aired a new episode every Tuesday throughout the month. The episodes are available on PBS.org, the PBS app, and the American Masters YouTube channel. Each episode includes audio descriptions, open captions, and on-screen ASL interpretation.
