California bill to protect redress money, and a profile of Jude Narita

Vol. 112, No. 10, March 16, 1991. 8 pages. View this issue

A California bill meant to shield Japanese American redress payments from state claims led the news. Introduced in the State Legislature, it would keep Medi-Cal and public assistance rules from reaching those payments. Sen. Johnston objected to a government that apologizes with one hand and takes the money back with the other. Richard Suenaga profiled actress and writer Jude Narita, whose one-woman show portrays real Asian women, and more redress workshops for the community were announced.

On the commentary pages, James W. Shimoura wrote about the Vincent Chin case and anti-Asian sentiment, and Stanley Kanzaki noted that the book Years of Infamy is still available. Bill Hosokawa wrote about English teachers going to Japan, and Bill Marutani looked at aid programs and immigrant families. Chapter news came from Salt Lake, Wasatch Front North, Riverside, Ventura and Honolulu, along with a Fresno Assembly Center memorial reception and a Chicago Asian American coalition gathering.

What’s in this issue

National

• California Bill Would Protect Redress Money, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A California State Legislature bill was introduced to ensure the state cannot claim any portion of Japanese American redress payments through Medi-Cal or public assistance restrictions. Sen. Johnston criticized the inconsistency of government apologizing with one hand while taking money away with the other.’
• Matsui Campaigns, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Robert T. Matsui is highlighted for his historic role and campaign activities. The brief notes his continuing political career representing Sacramento.

Arts & Entertainment

• Acting, Naturally, by Richard Suenaga, page 1. Profile of actress/writer Jude Narita, known for her one-woman show ‘Coming Into Passion, Song for a Sansei’ portraying real Asian women. The article traces her career from childhood performing to her recent role in Ibsen’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ at East West Theatre in Hollywood.
• Actress Continued: Narita’s Range and Philosophy, by Richard Suenaga, page 6. The continuation of Jude Narita’s profile describes her diverse one-woman show characters including a Vietnamese refugee, a Hiroshima survivor, a Filipino mail-order bride, and a Nisei internee, all exploring shared humanity. Narita reflects on her experience playing Hedda Gabler, her views on classic literature, and her commitment to mentoring young Asian American actresses and writers.

Community

• More Redress Workshops, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Additional redress workshops will be held to inform members of the Japanese American community about redress procedures. The workshops aim to help community members understand and access their redress payments.
• Chicago Asian American Coalition Draws 1,200, by P.C. Staff, page 3. More than 1,200 people attended the Asian American coalition event in Chicago hosted this year by the Chinese American community, representing groups including Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Cambodian, Filipino and other communities. Elected officials including Gov. Jim Edgar, Mayor Richard Daley and Sen. Paul Simon attended, with keynote speaker Dr. Chang Lin-Tien of UC Berkeley.
• Washington State Asians Meet, by P.C. Staff, page 3. More than 200 friends, supporters and state officials attended the first annual legislative reception for Asian elected officials of Washington state. The group aims to increase Asian American visibility in politics, addressing concerns about appointments, elderly services, and bilingual education funding, with Rep. Art Wang emceeing and Rep. Gary Locke introducing 10 of 21 elected Asian American officials.
• Riverside JACL Installation Dinner Held, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Douglas Urata swore in new officers for the Riverside JACL chapter at their installation dinner Feb. 10 at UC Riverside, with Michiko Yoshimura elected to a second term as president after a lapse. Other new officers include Lorna Nakamura, Katherine Inaba, Maiko Inaba, Irene, Gen Ogata, Dr. Junji, and Douglas Takano among others.
• Fresno Assembly Center Memorial Project Reception Held, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A reception was held at the Fresno Fairgrounds for the Fresno Assembly Center Memorial Project, attended by former internees Nori Masuda and Jane and others who discussed life at the Assembly Center which opened in 1942 and housed more than 5,000 internees before closing in October 1942. Speakers included Mas Masumoto, Elisa Kamimoto, Ron Miller, Paul Saito and Rev. Roger Morimoto.
• Ventura JACL Installs New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Ventura JACL chapter installed new officers with Harry Kitano as guest speaker discussing values that shape individuals and their families. New officers include Kan Nakano, Jean Kuniyoshi, Mori Abe, Joanne Ellen Matsuo, Anne Asaoka, and others, with an appreciation plaque given to John Flynn for his legislative support.
• Honolulu Chapter Forms Legislative Action Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Honolulu JACL chapter formed its first Legislative Action Committee to initiate and monitor legislative activities related to foreign investment, education and culture. The chapter re-elected William M. Kaneko as president along with other officers including Hilda, Julie, Gordon Lee, Bob Unuma and Jinny.
• Personally Speaking, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A roundup column featuring community members’ achievements: Charlotte Sato was appointed to the California Department of Justice executive staff; Tina Kagi wrote a guest column on redress; the Moriyama/Teshima architectural firm will design a Guelph, Ontario performing arts center; and Joyce Iwaki Shatsky was appointed to an SSI outreach project. Additional notes cover Theodore Okiishi’s engineering career, Jeanne Kim’s work at APALC, three Puyallup Valley JACLers’ local recognitions, Phil Matsumura’s community honor, Tomio Taki’s board appointment, and Katie Hironaka’s MLK Good Neighbor Award.

Commentary

• More on Anti-Asian Sentiment Issue, by James W. Shimoura, page 2. A letter to the editor responds to a previous piece by Mr. Suguro, arguing that the murder of Vincent Chin should be understood in its historic significance to all Asian Americans, not dismissed as unrelated to U.S.-Japan trade tensions. The writer warns that anti-Asian sentiment tied to trade disputes could lead to further violence against Asian Americans as economic tensions rise.
• ‘Infamy’ Book Is Still Available, by Stanley Kanzaki, page 2. A letter to the editor corrects a report that the book ‘Years of Infamy’ by a Nisei author was out of print, noting it has gone through a seventh printing and can be ordered through the Japanese American Curriculum Project. The writer urges continued vigilance and remembrance of the WWII incarceration experience.
• English Language Teachers in Japan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa discusses the JET Program bringing American English teachers to Japan, noting that Japanese American candidates sometimes face unspoken skepticism from rural Japanese schools about whether they can speak proper English despite looking Japanese. He notes that of 61 candidates he interviewed, only four were Japanese American, calling it a shame given the importance of Americans understanding Japan.
• San Joaquin Valley, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Bill Marutani discusses federal assistance programs like Aid to Families with Dependent Children and unemployment benefits, noting a five-year restrictive provision in immigration laws that California officials could petition to waive but apparently have not acted on. The column examines the bureaucratic gaps affecting immigrant families’ access to social services.

JACL

• Salt Lake Chapter Announces 1991 Utah Asian Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Salt Lake JACL chapter announced its 1991 Utah Asian Festival to be held May 4 at the Salt Palace, featuring cultural demonstrations, displays and ethnic foods. The event will also include a bike race/ride, a Miss Asia Utah contest, and an Asian film festival, plus America Japan Week from May 25 to June 1.
• Wasatch Front North Chapter Announces New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Wasatch Front North, Utah JACL chapter announced its newly elected officers including George Sugihara as president. Other officers include Tute Koga, Dick Kishimoto, Roy Taketa, Fugie Kunimoto, Elsie Akisada and Marion Hori in various roles.

Incarceration & Redress

• Bill Continued: Redress Money Protections Detailed, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Continuing coverage explains that under the new California bill, goods purchased with redress money would be considered exempt property, and surviving spouses receiving a deceased spouse’s redress money directly would retain exemption status. The bill aims to resolve confusing and inconsistent state policies regarding redress payments for Medi-Cal recipients.

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