Asian Democrats and redress at the 1984 convention, plus women’s concerns

Vol. 99, No. 4, July 27, 1984. 16 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen opened this issue at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. The front page reported that the party’s Asian Pacific Caucus intended to be heard, with over 30 elected Asian delegates from California alone, and that the convention ratified a redress plank promising a formal apology to Japanese Americans interned during World War II. J.K. Yamamoto looked at what Asian Americans might expect from Mondale, and Irene Hirano introduced a supplement on women’s concerns.

That supplement fills the back pages with essays by Mayumi Tsutakawa, Mei Nakano, Cindy Ogawa, May Doi, Rose Ochi, Nilda Rimonte, Betty Kozasa and Lillian Kimura. Minoru Yasui wrote on the House Subcommittee hearings on redress, and Harry Honda covered Little Tokyo’s centennial celebration. The issue also carried news of the Vincent Chin case, the Honolulu JACL convention and the Japanese Americans of the Biennium.

What’s in this issue

National

• Asian Democrats Demand Recognition From Party, page 1. At the Democratic National Convention, leaders of the party’s Asian Pacific Caucus declared they intend to be a political force, noting the growth from one elected Asian delegate in 1980 to over 30 from California alone in 1984. Jesse Jackson addressed the caucus on nuclear weapons and anti-Asian violence, referencing the Vincent Chin case.
• Will Asians Get Any ‘Beef’ From Mondale?, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. Asian Americans have received more attention than ever in the 1984 Democratic presidential race, with Mondale, Hart and Jackson all addressing Asian American concerns. Mondale’s platform includes support for reparations, opposition to the Simpson-Mazzoli immigration bill, and commitments to bilingual education and civil rights enforcement.
• Chin Killer, Defense Attorneys Say Verdict Unfair, page 2. Ronald Ebens, convicted of violating Vincent Chin’s civil rights, protested his guilty verdict at a news conference, claiming innocence despite admitting sorrow for Chin’s death. His attorneys alleged witnesses were coached, but the U.S. attorney dismissed the claim as containing no new evidence.
• East Indian Beaten in Massachusetts, page 12. A 45-year-old Asian Indian classical musician, Shashi Nayak, was beaten by three white youths in what police called a racial attack in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nayak and his wife had moved to Cambridge hoping to escape racial harassment they previously faced in Dorchester.

Incarceration & Redress

• Demos Pass Redress Plank, page 1. The Democratic National Convention ratified a platform plank promising a formal apology and redress to Japanese Americans interned during WW2. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui issued a joint statement hailing the plank’s passage as a clear statement of justice and compassion.
• NCJAR to Appeal Dismissal of Class-Action Suit, page 2. NCJAR board members voted to appeal the May dismissal of their $25 billion class-action redress lawsuit after a judge ruled the six-year statute of limitations barred the suit. The group hopes to raise $30,000 for the appeal process.
• Redress Phase Five: Observations on the House Subcommittee Hearings, by Minoru Yasui, page 9. Minoru Yasui details three days of House Subcommittee hearings on redress bills, describing testimony from Reps. Don Young and Mike Lowry, CWRIC officials, and military historian David Trask regarding the ‘Magic cables.’ John J. McCloy and Mike Masaoka also testified, with Masaoka facing an ignorant question about his citizenship despite being native-born.

Commentary

• Making Our Voices Heard, by Irene Hirano, page 1. The chair of the JACL Women’s Concerns Committee discusses the significance of Geraldine Ferraro’s vice presidential nomination for women’s rights and minorities. She introduces a special supplement on women’s concerns included in this issue of the Pacific Citizen.
• From the Frying Pan: The Sawadas of Arvada, by Bill Hosokawa, page 7. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recounts the story of Ken and May Sawada, who closed their Arvada, Colorado beauty salon after nearly two decades, having built deep roots in the predominantly white suburb. Ken served in Army intelligence and retired as a major before the couple settled and raised their family in Colorado.
• Chairpersons’ Expenses, by F.Y. Hirasuna, page 8. A letter writer from Fresno argues that JACL national committee chairpersons required to attend the national convention should be reimbursed for travel expenses on the same basis as national board members, per Resolution No. 3 passed in 1982. The writer calls for the national board to adopt an equitable and uniform reimbursement schedule.
• Women in the Midwest, by April S. Goral, page 8. The Milwaukee JACL president writes that the Midwest JACL District has never demeaned women, noting that women currently hold key governing positions including first and second vice governors. She suggests the Midwest district deserves more recognition for its record on women’s involvement.
• We Are Not Amused, by Mary Tani, page 8. A Los Angeles letter writer criticizes Bill Marutani’s ‘East Wind’ column for making generalized pronouncements about all Japanese Americans using ‘we,’ arguing this creates a false stereotyped image. She suggests he should use ‘I’ or confine his statements to JACL members only.
• On Apologies, by June Suzuki, page 8. A Washington D.C. letter writer argues that a profound public apology ceremony for Japanese American redress should take greater priority than monetary compensation. Another letter writer, Dennis A. Roland, counters that an apology alone would be a ‘Pyrrhic victory’ without financial restitution for losses suffered.
• The Significance of ‘Community’ for Women Writers of Color, by Mayumi Tsutakawa, page 13. The author discusses how women of color writers must overcome traditional educational blinders to recognize their shared history with other Third World writers facing racism. She calls for community support systems, including schools and publishing opportunities, to help develop minority women writers’ skills.
• A Personal Perspective on Growing Older, by Mei Nakano, page 13. The author reflects on the shock of becoming an ‘aging woman’ in American society and contrasts this with her immigrant mother’s generation’s dignified acceptance of aging. She argues that society’s denial of aging, especially for women, perpetuates prejudice against the elderly.
• An Unfortunate Legacy of Japanese Culture, by Jane Yambe, page 14. The author explores how Japanese cultural reticence about expressing love and affection affected her upbringing as a Sansei, contrasting her husband’s acceptance of this norm with her own longing for verbal and physical affirmations. She argues these customs should be re-examined even while honoring other aspects of Japanese heritage.
• The Asian/Pacific Woman’s Uniqueness, by Cindy Ogawa, page 14. The author examines how Asian/Pacific women face a conflict between American individualism and traditional Asian values of family obligation, which can create inner turmoil despite outward composure. She discusses how racism, materialism, and clinical counseling models often fail to address these women’s unique cultural context.
• The Road to Political Awareness, by May Doi, page 14. Gardena City Clerk May Doi describes her journey from PTA board member to elected city official, noting that Asian women have traditionally stayed in the background but are increasingly emerging in politics. She reflects on how her involvement in government has enriched her family’s awareness of political processes.
• Onna No Kuse Ni: Things My Otoo-San Never Told Me, by Rose Ochi, page 15. A Los Angeles mayoral aide and attorney recounts how her Issei parents discouraged her from pursuing college and a career because she was a girl, yet her father’s implicit pride in her achievements motivated her. She reflects on the irony that she rejected her parents’ explicit advice while being driven by their unspoken encouragement.
• The Mythological Roots of Attitudes Toward Women, by Nilda Rimonte, page 15. The author analyzes a Japanese creation myth about Izanami and Izanagi to explore how mythology justifies power imbalances between women and men through guilt and shame. She connects the myth’s emphasis on who ‘speaks first’ to broader themes of language as an instrument of domination over women.
• Breaking Barriers as a Double (or Triple) Minority, by Betty Kozasa, page 15. The author recounts decades of discrimination faced by Asian American women in education, employment, and civic volunteer roles, from being denied a lead role in an 8th grade play to facing stereotyping in PTA leadership. She discusses the feminization of aging and the intersection of racism and ageism faced by minority women.
• Taking on Leadership Roles in the JACL, by Lillian Kimura, page 16. Lillian Kimura reflects on her unsuccessful 1980 bid for JACL national presidency as the first woman to run, and her subsequent leadership roles including governor of the Midwest District Council. She offers advice to women aspiring to JACL leadership, urging them to speak up and pursue organizational roles beyond fundraising and refreshments.
• The Limelight, by Karen Ishizuka, page 16. This short story follows a woman nearing fifty who reflects on her life as a wife, mother, and divorcee after dedicating herself entirely to her children’s futures. Now alone, she begins to embrace new independent pursuits like real estate and sky-diving.
• Can Women Save Men from Their Own Machismo?, by Hank Sakai, page 16. The Pacific Citizen board chair argues that women’s growing political power could shift national priorities away from militarism and toward peace, as women are perceived as more able to speak out against violence without seeming weak. He credits women’s compassion for a potential societal shift toward addressing hunger and war rather than armament.

Community

• Hiroshima Flame Coming to L.A. Aug. 5, page 2. Hiroshima’s eternal Flame of Peace will travel to Los Angeles for Survival Day, a march and rally planned for August 5 at MacArthur Park coinciding with the anniversary of the atomic bombing. Speakers include hibakusha survivors, physicist Michio Kaku, and actor George Takei.
• Chapter Pulse, page 3. Contra Costa JACL holds its annual picnic with volleyball and swimming, plus a Haiku group meeting in El Cerrito introducing Basho’s works. Philadelphia-area JACLers gather for a picnic with sports, tie-dying and food at the Moriuchis’ home.
• Ellis Honored by University for Aiding U.S.-Japan Relations, page 11. Edna J. Ellis of Olympia JACL received an alumni citation award from Willamette University for distinguished service furthering U.S.-Japan relations. She has been a JACL contributing member since World War II and has supported Nikkei community activities for decades.
• Little Tokyo’s 100—Living & Dead—Honored at Gala Centennial Celebration, by Harry Honda, page 12. Mayor Tom Bradley praised Japanese Americans at a Bonaventure Hotel dinner honoring 30 living individuals and 70 deceased contributors to Little Tokyo’s founding and growth over its 100-year history. Bruce Kaji accepted the Centennial award on behalf of honorees, while questions arose about the absence of veteran community leaders Katsuma Mukaeda and Masami Sasaki from the list.
• JA Chair of City Liaison Committee, page 12. Former JACL Chicago Chapter president Ross Harano was chosen chair of the Mayor’s Committee on Asian American Affairs, which liaises between Chicago and the Asian American community. The committee will help select an Asian American commissioner and staff person for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

JACL

• Ariyoshi, Noguchi and Wada Chosen Japanese Americans of the Biennium, page 3. Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi, sculptor Isamu Noguchi, and educator Yori Wada were selected as Japanese Americans of the Biennium to be honored at the JACL convention in Honolulu. The article details each honoree’s background, career achievements, and contributions to their fields.
• Nakashima Running for V.P. of General Operations, page 5. Yoshio Nakashima of San Francisco is running unopposed for JACL vice president for general operations, having served in various chapter and district leadership roles. A dentist by profession, he has pledged to complete the personnel manual and improve headquarters management efficiency.
• Musubi: Schedule Allows Time for Work and Play, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 7. The 1984 JACL national convention format has been restructured to reduce costs and provide more unstructured time, combining events like delegate orientation and the opening banquet. The article details the business sessions, workshops, and social activities planned for the Honolulu convention.

In-Depth

• Little Tokyo Life (No. 26): Little Tokyo’s ‘Royalty’, by Harry Honda, page 4. This installment of the Little Tokyo Centennial series profiles the history of the Nisei Week Festival since 1934, tracing the lives and families of the festival queens from 1935 through 1983. A reunion of past queens took place in May at the New Otani Hotel.

Sports

• Sao Paulo Ball Club Winds Up Calif. Tour, page 12. Sao Paulo’s Sansei baseball team completed a 10-day goodwill California tour with a doubleheader loss to Gardena Asahi on July 21. The Brazilian team of 15-to-17-year-olds also visited Disneyland and watched the California Angels before departing for Mexico City.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.