Vol. 101, No. 14, October 4, 1985. 8 pages. View this issue
Redress and the courts led this issue. Attorneys for the National Council for Japanese American Redress and the U.S. government argued before the D.C. Court of Appeals over the dismissal of NCJAR’s class action suit. California Gov. George Deukmejian signed two bills, one appropriating $750,000 toward the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo and one repealing a 1942 state law on dual citizenship. Robert Shimabukuro reported on a contentious National JACL Board meeting in San Francisco, where the board cut $105,700 from its 1986 budget. The front page also pictured Pacific Asian American Women Writers West, who read 1930s Nisei works.
Inside, J.K. Yamamoto covered the conference on Nisei literature of the 1930s. Bill Marutani wrote about Japanese Peruvians held in Texas camps during World War II, and Bill Hosokawa and Bob Shimabukuro contributed columns. Steven Okazaki’s documentary on the Hirabayashi, Korematsu and Yasui cases was announced for PBS in October. Frank Sakamoto reported on a reunion where 100th Battalion and 442nd veterans were honored.
What’s in this issue
National
- NCJAR Suit Debated at Hearing, page 1. Attorneys for the National Council for Japanese American Redress and the U.S. government presented oral arguments before the D.C. Court of Appeals on the dismissal of NCJAR’s class action redress suit. NCJAR’s attorney argued the government concealed documents and that there was no military necessity for internment, while the Justice Department countered that plaintiffs delayed filing and that the court lacks jurisdiction.
- Governor Signs Two JA-Related Bills, page 1. California Gov. George Deukmejian signed SB 1482, appropriating $750,000 toward the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, and AB 198, repealing a 1942 state law that allowed dual citizenship to be used as grounds for firing Japanese American state employees during WW2. Deukmejian called the repeal overdue in removing a ‘shameful legacy’ of discrimination.
- AA Candidates Lose in Seattle Elections, page 3. Asian American candidates Bob Santos and Cheryl Chow lost the Democratic primary for King County Council Position 5 to Ron Sims, who has a record of supporting JA and Asian American causes as a legislative aide. Sims will face Republican Michael Ross in November and plans further legislation benefiting Nisei former Seattle School District employees.
- Balch Exhibit Ends Successful Run, page 7. The ‘Japanese American Experience’ exhibit at the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia closed after a summer run that drew more than 8,500 visitors, the most successful in the institute’s history. About 80% of visitors were non-Japanese Americans, and the exhibit received coverage from the Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio.
JACL
- Fiscal Woes Dominate Board Meeting, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 1. At a contentious National JACL Board meeting in San Francisco, the board cut $105,700 from its 1986 budget, approved a contingent $75,000 transfer to the LEC, and called for a moratorium on LDP-sponsored trips to Japan by JACL officials. Debate centered on how budget and personnel cuts, including cuts to redress program staff, would be perceived by members and donors.
Community
- Discrimination Suit Plaintiff Promoted, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 2. Wally Shishido, a longtime L.A. County Health Services employee who along with colleague Tom Ohgi alleged discrimination in promotions, has been promoted to chief sanitarian after years of being passed over. Advocates say they will continue pursuing a class action complaint on behalf of other Asian American employees facing similar barriers.
- A ‘Rousing’ Success, by NCWNP Women’s Concerns Committee, page 5. Nearly 200 women attended the ‘Japanese American Women in Transition’ conference in Oakland, sponsored by JACL’s NCWNP Women’s Concerns Committee, featuring workshops on leadership, parent-child relationships, and women in business. Keynote speaker Jan Yanehiro of KPIX-TV and honoree Dr. Yoshiye Togasaki, recognized for her public health advocacy, highlighted the event.
- Chapter Pulse: South Bay, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Fresno A.L.L., San Jose, page 5. Chapter news briefs report South Bay JACL’s upcoming eye surgery seminar, Cincinnati chapter member Eisho Nakano teaching Japanese cultural classes, a San Francisco chapter social event featuring TV personalities, CCDC Governor Peggy Liggett being honored in Fresno, and San Jose chapter sponsoring a student for the Presidential Classroom program.
Arts & Entertainment
- Mirikitani to Be Saluted for Literary Works, page 3. Poet Janice Mirikitani will be honored among six Bay Area women writers at the Women’s Foundation’s ‘Women of Words’ luncheon in San Francisco. The event celebrates writers who represent excellence and diversity in literature, with proceeds supporting programs for low-income women.
Incarceration & Redress
- PBS to Broadcast ‘Unfinished Business’, page 3. Steven Okazaki’s documentary on the wartime Supreme Court cases of Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu and Minoru Yasui will air on PBS stations nationwide in October. Broadcast dates and times are listed for major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
Commentary
- Triangle of Hate, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Columnist Bill Marutani recounts the history of Japanese Peruvians kidnapped by the U.S. government and interned in Texas camps during WW2, drawing on the research of C. Harvey Gardiner. He describes the cruel aftermath in which many Japanese Peruvians were stranded, unable to return to Peru or gain legal status in the U.S., aided eventually by Wayne Collins and the ACLU.
- One Thing Leads to Another, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. Reflecting on controversy over the film ‘Year of the Dragon,’ the columnist recalls Great Leap’s 1980 musical ‘Chop Suey’ and discusses the ongoing struggle of Asian American performing artists to gain mainstream recognition. He highlights Great Leap’s upcoming benefit performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco featuring notable AA artists.
- Visitors to the ‘Hub’, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reminisces about how Denver’s role as an airline refueling stop once made it a gathering point for traveling friends, a tradition later revived by the airline hub system. He recounts a pleasant visit from reader Mas Shiozaki and his wife Emi, whose family connections span decades of acquaintance with the columnist.
Military & Veterans
- Vets’ Reunion, by Frank Sakamoto, page 5. At the 39th reunion of the 34th Infantry Division Association in Dubuque, Iowa, Dr. Victor Izui accepted a key to the city on behalf of 100th Battalion and 442nd veterans and exchanged Go For Broke books with local officials. A television newscast explained the WW2 dilemma of Nisei soldiers fighting while their families were held in relocation centers.
In-Depth
- Writers Recall Nisei Literature of 1930s, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 6. At the ‘Coming of Age in the Thirties’ conference in Los Angeles, Nisei writers and editors including Yasuo Sasaki, Hisaye Yamamoto, Mary Korenaga Sutow, and James Omura recalled the founding of early Nisei literary magazines like Reimei and Current Life. A reading of 1930s short stories and poetry by Pacific Asian American Women Writers West followed the panel discussion, showcasing works by Yamamoto, Carl Kondo, Jim Yamada and others.
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