Washington’s revived alien land law, and a push for redress

Vol. 87, No. 16, October 27, 1978. 12 pages. View this issue

A proposal in the state of Washington to bring back an anti-alien land law led this 12-page issue. The measure was aimed at oil-rich Arabs buying land in eastern Washington, but Asian American leaders said it would be ineffective and would harm Asian Americans. The front page also covered new federal penalties for PCP, a Supreme Court ruling on Nazi demonstrations in Skokie, and the signing of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Bill Hosokawa’s column argued that the JACL redress campaign would test the American political system, and Rosalind Uno wrote about projects her late husband Edison Uno had championed.

Elsewhere, a Little Tokyo office and retail complex won approval, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation scheduled public workshops on a possible Manzanar state historical park. The editorial page defended school busing, and Barry Saiki wrote from Tokyo. Arts pages reviewed a Japanese Canadian photo book, and East West Players announced The Frogs.

What’s in this issue

National

• Arabs target of new alien land law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Washington State lawmakers are reviving an anti-alien land law to block oil-rich Arabs from buying land in eastern Washington. Asian American leaders argue the proposal is ineffective and would harm Asian Americans, including Filipino and Southeast Asian residents.
• Law, if passed, to stymie PCP makers, pushers, users, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House and Senate have approved stiffer federal penalties for manufacturing and distributing PCP, known as angel dust. Rep. Norman Mineta, the principal backer, expects President Carter to sign the bill.
• Court affirms Nazis’ right to demonstrate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court left in effect a ruling that Skokie, Illinois ordinances designed to block American Nazi demonstrations violated the First Amendment. The decision was a victory for the ACLU, which represented the Nazis.
• Koreagate spurs anti-Korean bias, says cleric, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Peter Y.K. Sun says Korean Americans face discrimination and jokes because of the Tongsun Park influence-buying scandal. He introduced a United Methodist resolution calling for defense of Korean Americans and political integrity.
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Week resolution signed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Carter signed a joint resolution creating Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in the first 10 days of May. The effort was led by a coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations, including JACL.

Community

• Mas & Chiz Satow fund acknowledges $28,000, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL Mas & Chiz Satow Memorial Fund has received contributions totaling $28,117.30 from 418 donors to research the history of JACL. Proceeds will fund publication and preservation of Japanese American historical materials.
• $2.6-million complex due in Little Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A four-story office building, bank, and retail stores will be built at Second and San Pedro Streets in the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project. The CRA approved an exclusive 120-day negotiating agreement with the developer, and Tomoye Hotel residents will be protected during construction.
• Anti-alien land law, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Washington voters previously repealed the anti-alien land law in 1966, and a new proposal would revive restrictions. Diane Wong opposes the measure, saying it would harm Asian Americans without effectively stopping foreign corporate land purchases.
• Manzanar workshops scheduled, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled three public workshops on a possible Manzanar state historical park. Former evacuees and their families are invited to share ideas.
• East Bay Issei housing site eyed, by P.C. Staff, page 5. East Bay Issei Housing Project leaders are preparing an offer on a 1.925-acre property in El Cerrito. The site was highly recommended by the project’s land search committee.
• Seattle newsletter gets help, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Seattle JACL Reporter switched to pressure-sensitive mailing labels ordered through the Pacific Citizen to cut Addressograph costs. The article explains the rates for chapter and district address labels.
• Tulare County JACL installs first female president, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Maude Ishida will be installed as the first woman president of the Tulare County JACL at its October 30 meeting. The chapter, founded in 1934, will also host the Central California JACL District Council convention.
• Elizabeth Humbargar fete slated, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Stockton JACL will honor Elizabeth Humbargar for her work promoting friendship between Japan and Japanese Americans. She received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, a total surprise to her.
• S.F. sets date of Sakura Matsuri, by P.C. Staff, page 12. San Francisco’s 1979 Cherry Blossom Festival will be held April 13-15 and 19-22 in Japantown. The queen pageant is April 14 and the grand parade is April 22.

Commentary

• Nisei in Tokyo mourns a ‘sick’ America, by Barry T. Saiki, page 3. Barry Saiki examines juvenile delinquency and social decline in America, arguing that churches, families, schools, leadership, and cities have all weakened. He concludes that community-based discussion and renewed standards are needed.
• School Busing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial reaffirms JACL’s longstanding support for school desegregation and busing, tracing its roots to the 1906 San Francisco Japanese school dispute. It notes that San Francisco’s busing experience has shifted demographics and that school desegregation remains incomplete nationwide.
• SCULCON elitism, by Akira Kubota, page 4. Akira Kubota responds to Dr. Charles Kubokawa, arguing that the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission is dominated by elite scholars and lacks Nikkei community representation. He says Asian American experts have been marginalized in Asian studies.
• Convention Post Script, by Rosalind Uno, page 4. Rosalind Uno thanks the JACL convention for a tribute to her late husband Edison Uno. She notes progress on projects he championed, including the Iva Toguri pardon, the Internment Credit Bill, and the redress campaign.
• From the Frying Pan: Redress, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa argues that the JACL redress campaign for Japanese American wartime evacuation will test the American political system and the Constitution. He notes that a national survey found 90 percent of respondents support redress payments.
• Japan Revisited, by Barry Saiki, page 12. Barry Saiki describes his brother Ted and sister-in-law May’s first visit to Japan in decades, touring Kamakura, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. They were surprised by the high cost of living and the changes since their childhood.

Military & Veterans

• In the Pacific Citizen, October 30, 1943, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A wartime retrospective lists 1943 events, including the 100th Infantry’s advance in Italy, Secretary Stimson’s praise for Nisei soldiers, and Pearl Buck’s plea for fair treatment. It also notes Treasury action to protect an evacuee family from a farm swindle.
• Tribune apologizes over use of ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Chicago Tribune apologized to the Chicago JACL after an insurance article used the offensive term ‘Jap.’ Hiro Tokubo said the incident shows Japanese Americans must keep pressing for equality.

Arts & Entertainment

• Review: A Dream of Riches, by H.H., page 11. A review of a bilingual Japanese Canadian Centennial photo book documenting the Issei and Nisei experience in Canada. The reviewer praises the carefully selected pictures and narrative text.
• Greek comedy billed at East West Players, by P.C. Staff, page 11. East West Players will present Aristophanes’ comedy The Frogs as the second production of its 1978-79 season. The production is directed by Clyde Kusatsu and features a cast including Betty Muramoto.
• Voices in the Shadows, by Edward Sakamoto, page 11. Edward Sakamoto reviews a dramatic production about Japanese American experience during and after the war. The piece highlights the cast’s performances and the story’s emotional impact.

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