Vol. 104, No. 21, May 29, 1987. 8 pages. View this issue
The 11th biennial JACL Tri-District Conference in Los Angeles ran through this eight-page issue. J.K. Yamamoto reported on UC Regent Yori Wada defending the University of California against charges of discriminating against Asian American applicants, and Harry Honda compiled a summary of the workshops on media portrayal, Japanese American families and political involvement. On the front page, Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone met Black American leaders to make amends for a remark that had angered them, while Sen. Daniel Inouye chaired the Iran-contra hearings. His speech on the Constitution appeared on page 4.
The commentary page brought Bill Marutani on the idea of face and Bill Hosokawa on the Simpson-Mazzoli immigration law. Page 5 held letters on JACL’s internal structure and the Endo case, and a piece by Marshall Sumida and Joe Oyama on the wartime incarceration. Also inside: a profile of Lani Kawamura in Minnesota, a new book on Japanese Texans, and George Takei’s benefit for AALDEF.
What’s in this issue
National
- Nakasone Meets With Black American Leaders to Improve Relations in Wake of Racial Remark, page 1. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone met with the Congressional Black Caucus and other Black leaders to pursue initiatives like Japanese investment in minority-owned banks and exchanges between Japanese and Black American colleges, following a racially charged remark he made in 1986. The meeting came during a two-day visit focused on trade discussions with President Reagan, who agreed to oppose protectionist trade bills and lift tariffs on Japanese goods.
- University of California Does Not Discriminate, Says Wada, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. UC Regent Yori Wada defended the University of California against charges of discriminating against Asian American applicants during a workshop at the JACL Tri-District Conference. He presented admissions data showing shifts among ethnic groups at UC Berkeley and addressed concerns about supplemental admissions criteria and UC hiring practices for Asian American faculty.
In-Depth
- Kawamura Keeps Things Humming in Minnesota, by Bill Salisbury, St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, page 1. Lani Kawamura, director of Minnesota’s state Planning Agency, has become Governor Rudy Perpich’s top policy advisor despite starting out unfamiliar with state politics. Profile traces her career from arts administration to becoming a key figure shaping and selling Perpich’s legislative programs.
Community
- New Book Examines Japanese Texan History, page 2. A new book from the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures, The Japanese Texans by Thomas K. Walls, documents the history of Japanese immigrants in Texas starting in the 1880s. It covers topics including Seito Saibara’s rice colony, WW2 internment camps in Texas, and naturalization of Japanese immigrants in 1952.
- Manager Apologizes for Slurs, by Edna Ikeda, page 2. KS103-FM radio station manager Chris Conway issued a written apology for disc jockey Randy Miller’s on-air solicitation of Chinese jokes, after Miller left for a job in Atlanta. The apology came after pressure from the Asian/Pacific Islander Media Responsibility Coalition, though Conway declined to give an on-air apology.
- Nikkei Named as President of Wisconsin Hospital, page 5. Edward Hida of Wauwatosa has been named president of De Paul Rehabilitation Hospital, the largest chemical dependency treatment center in Wisconsin. He has held various positions there since 1974 and serves on multiple community health boards.
- JACLer Installed as President of American Lung Association, page 8. Carol Kawanami, former mayor of Villa Park and a Selanoco JACL board member, was installed as president of the American Lung Association at its annual meeting in New Orleans. She has been a longtime volunteer with local and national Lung Associations since 1971.
Commentary
- Saving Face, by Bill Marutani, page 4. In his East Wind column, Bill Marutani explores the Japanese concept of ‘face’ (kao) and its many linguistic expressions, examining how fear of bringing shame restrained Nisei behavior while also driving achievement. He notes this cultural trait may explain why few Nisei run for public office.
- Not as Simple as It Seems, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa discusses the complexity of the Simpson-Mazzoli immigration law and recounts an incident where a Hispanic speaker mistakenly praised JACL for opposing the Walter-McCarran law, when in fact JACL had supported it for eliminating racist immigration quotas. He notes JACL later helped repeal the law’s controversial Title II security provisions.
- Our Living, Breathing U.S. Constitution, by Daniel K. Inouye, page 4. In this speech reprinted from a VFW award ceremony, Senator Daniel Inouye reflects on American democracy’s resilience through assassination, Vietnam-era unrest, racial strife, and Watergate. He argues the Constitution’s strength comes not from the document itself but from the American people who give it life through engagement and continued vigilance.
- Internal Affairs, by George Ogawa, page 5. A letter to the editor following the Tri-District meeting raises concerns about JACL’s internal organizational structure, including the lack of standing rules for the Executive Committee and insufficient accountability of the National Board to the National Council. The writer proposes reforms including monthly Executive Committee meetings and more transparent committee operations.
- Support for Stand, by Hashime Saito, page 5. A letter agreeing with Bill Hosokawa’s opinion on redress compensation, praising his courage in sharing his personal views despite his public position. The writer attributes the wartime evacuation experience to karma.
- Ruling in Endo Case, by Eiji Suyama, page 5. A letter correcting an error in a previous East Wind column, clarifying that the Supreme Court’s Ex Parte Endo decision avoided ruling on the underlying constitutional issues of detention. The writer argues this shows none of the WW2 ‘war cases’ resulted in constitutional condemnation of curfew, evacuation, or detention.
- In Search of Pen Pals, by Margarita I. Matayoshi and Chris Guenther, page 5. Two letters from readers seeking pen pals: Margarita Matayoshi, a 26-year-old from Argentina working at a travel agency, and Chris Guenther, a 23-year-old Canadian university student. Both provide their interests and contact addresses.
Incarceration & Redress
- A Failure of Political Leadership, by Marshall Sumida and Joe Oyama, page 5. The authors examine the wartime incarceration of 110,000 Japanese Americans as a failure of political leadership, citing the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians’ findings of race prejudice and war hysteria. They warn that without vigilance, mass preventative detention could recur, citing concerns raised during the Iranian hostage crisis and arrests of Palestinians.
JACL
- Variety of Topics Addressed at Tri-District, by Compiled by Harry Honda, page 6. A comprehensive summary of workshops held at the 11th biennial JACL Tri-District Conference in Los Angeles, covering topics including media portrayal of Japanese Americans, the future of JA families, higher education impacts, JA political involvement, JACL leadership programs, and redress efforts. Panelists included academics, politicians, JACL officials, and community leaders.
- Leadership Conference Open to Pacific Southwest JACLers, page 6. A leadership program co-sponsored by the Pacific Southwest District JACL and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics will select twelve JACLers for a four-day public affairs conference in Los Angeles in August. The program aims to expose participants to public policy issues and leadership techniques through meetings with policymakers in government, business, and media.
- 1987 Chapter Officers: Selanoco, page 7. A listing of the newly elected officers for the Selanoco JACL chapter, including President Frances Hachiya and various vice presidents and committee chairs. The list covers roles including membership, insurance, scholarships, and redress coordination.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Life of the Land,’ Comedy Set in Hawaii, to Premiere in N.Y., page 7. Pan Asian Repertory Theatre will stage Edward Sakamoto’s play ‘Life of the Land,’ a sequel to ‘Manoa Valley’ following the Kamiya family in Hawaii. The play explores themes of family obligation versus personal desire as the Sansei son returns home after years on the mainland.
- ‘Star Trek’ Actor to Appear at Fund-Raiser for AALDEF, page 7. Actor George Takei, who played Sulu in Star Trek, will host a benefit party in New York for the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Takei’s involvement stems from his childhood experience of being interned during WW2, and proceeds will support legal services for Asian Americans.
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