Vol. 113, No. 2, July 19, 1991. 16 pages. View this issue
Redress and JACL’s own business filled this 16-page issue. Dennis Hayashi was named JACL national director, and President Cressey Nakagawa looked ahead to a possible problem with redress funding. In a column on page 13, Nakagawa described a JACL-LEC delegation’s visit to Washington to review the Office of Redress Administration’s payment process, which had reached 24,500 people. The front page also reported angry reaction to the decision not to adjust the census, and the Los Angeles City Council’s support for a Manzanar bill.
For the JACL Legacy Fund, Grayce Uyehara wrote on page 16 about passing $800,000 in contributions, and a page 14 update gave results from the Philadelphia, Berkeley, Salt Lake and East Los Angeles chapters. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Mike Masaoka’s career, Bill Marutani about young men’s fads, and Richard Suenaga reviewed the film Prisoners of the Sun.
What’s in this issue
National
- Angry Reaction as Census Decision Not to Adjust Sparks Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Census Bureau’s decision not to adjust the census count drew angry political reaction. Critics said the decision would have lasting impacts on communities that felt undercounted.
- Layoff of Asian School Officials Called Discriminatory, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Boston-area Asian American education advocates criticized the layoffs of Asian American school administrators as discriminatory, noting Asians are underrepresented in school staffing despite being a growing share of students. A court order requiring specific racial representation among staff did not include protections ensuring Asian American representation, and the School Committee later voted to reinstate some positions.
- By Year 2000, Whites Have Clout but Minorities Move Into Political Picture, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A new book of essays examines demographic and political shifts in California as minority populations grow. Contributor Don Nakanishi of UCLA suggested Asian Americans could become a key swing vote in future elections.
JACL
- Dennis Hayashi Named JACL National Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dennis Hayashi was named the new national director of JACL. The announcement was made as part of national board proceedings.
- JACL National Board Meeting Highlights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The national board addressed several issues including the stalled 1991 Civil Rights Act, an executive committee reviewing Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, and selection of Salt Lake City as the site of the 1994 convention. Other agenda items included education committee strategies and 1992 convention planning in Denver.
- JACL ’92 National Convention Workshop Topics Discussed, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Tentative workshop topics were announced for the 1992 JACL national convention in Denver, Colorado. Topics include Japanese American identity development, dating between Asian men and women, gay Asian issues, and creative arts programming.
- Education Committee Developing Strategies, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Education Committee, led by Shimasaki, discussed strategies for addressing instructional materials and curriculum content related to Japanese American history. The committee is considering supplemental materials for schools nationwide.
- Deferred Giving Options Discussed for JACL Legacy Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 13. JACL leaders met to discuss deferred giving options for the Legacy Fund, including wills, life insurance policies, and charitable remainder trusts. These giving methods offer tax benefits to donors while providing long-term financial support to JACL.
- Legacy Fund Chapter Update: Philadelphia, Berkeley, Salt Lake, and East L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 14. Several JACL chapters reported strong Legacy Fund fundraising results, including Philadelphia’s $54,275 raised through personal outreach, Berkeley’s $34,495, Salt Lake’s $24,450 through a ‘whispering campaign,’ and East Los Angeles’s $32,875, the top total in the Pacific Southwest District. Chapter leaders credited youth involvement and one-on-one contact as key strategies.
- A Better Future for Future Generations, by Grayce Uyehara, page 16. Legacy Fund Campaign Chair Grayce Uyehara discusses the importance of the JACL Legacy Fund, established at the 1990 San Diego Convention, in providing a stable financial base for JACL’s ongoing programs. She thanks chapter leaders and donors for surpassing $800,000 in contributions and calls for continued chapter-level campaign efforts.
Incarceration & Redress
- Nakagawa Looks Ahead to Potential Redress Problem, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL President Cressey Nakagawa raised concerns about future redress funding, suggesting the government could tap existing funds to pay newly discovered claimants. He warned this could set a troubling precedent for the redress program going forward.
- Continuing the Commitment: JACL Monitors Redress Payment Process, by Cressey Nakagawa, page 13. JACL President Cressey Nakagawa describes a JACL-LEC delegation’s visit to Washington D.C. to review the Office of Redress Administration’s payment process. As of the report, 24,500 individuals had received redress payments, with thousands more letters and verifications pending for the 1992 and 1993 fiscal years.
Community
- L.A. City Council Supports Manzanar Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution supporting legislation related to the Manzanar historic site. The move reflects continued civic backing for preservation of WWII incarceration camp sites.
- News Briefs: Redress Bill, Hate Crimes, and Community Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. California Senator Patrick Johnston’s bill protecting redress money passed a state committee unanimously, while Rep. Dana Rohrabacher pressed the Department of Education to complete investigations into discrimination against Asian Americans at UC campuses. Other briefs covered a San Jose hate crimes panel, demographic shifts of ethnic populations in Los Angeles, and a cross-burning incident targeting a Filipino family in Albuquerque.
- Agenda: Chapter News and Updates, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Various JACL chapter news items were reported including Florin JACL’s sushi sale for Asian Pacific Heritage Week, Central California District leadership retreat discussions, and the growth of the High Desert chapter in Antelope Valley. JA Social Services also arranged special facilities for senior programs in Westchester.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Prisoners of the Sun’ Shows Japanese War Atrocities, by Richard Suenaga, page 5. The film ‘Prisoners of the Sun’ depicts a courtroom drama investigating Japanese war crimes against Australian soldiers during WWII. The review praises its fast pace and understated performances, particularly by actor George Takei and co-star Shioya, while noting parallels to more recent conflicts like Vietnam and the Gulf War.
- San Francisco-Born Sansei Pianist Named to Baltimore Orchestra Post, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A San Francisco-born Sansei pianist was appointed to a position with an orchestra in Baltimore. The pianist, married to a violinist, plans to relocate to Baltimore with family in August.
- New Books Out on Culture and History, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Several new books were reviewed including a study of Japanese American family photography by Richard Chalfen, an introductory text on Asian American history by Sucheng Chan, and a book on U.S. military bases in the Pacific edited by Gerson examining the impact of foreign bases and proposing alternatives like a nuclear-free Pacific Basin. The reviews highlight themes of cultural identity, sociopolitical history, and geopolitics.
- Happy Fisherman: A Trip to Alaska’s Whale Resort, by Tyler Tanaka, page 9. Writer Tyler Tanaka recounts a fishing trip to the newly opened Whale Resort in Alaska, operated by Alaska Quality Lodges under Richard Yamada. The piece highlights the abundant wildlife, excellent fishing for king salmon and halibut, and touches of Hawaiian-Japanese hospitality including gohan and shoyu served at meals.
Commentary
- Masaoka’s Legal Career Sidetracked to Serve JACL, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reflects on how Mike Masaoka’s aspirations for a legal career were set aside so he could dedicate his life to JACL’s postwar civil rights crusade. Hosokawa suggests this sacrifice, along with those of other Nisei whose careers were interrupted by the war, ultimately allowed Masaoka to serve humanity in an important way through his advocacy work.
- Young Men’s Fads, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Columnist Bill Marutani reminisces about growing up with conservative Issei admonitions against flashy fashions, contrasting his rural upbringing with the flamboyant styles worn by young men influenced by samurai films. He reflects humorously on generational and cultural differences in attitudes toward appearance and behavior.
- PC Letter Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Pacific Citizen outlines its policy for letters to the editor, requesting that letters be brief, signed, and include contact information. It also notes that individuals seeking redress apology letters may request them in writing from ORA.
Obituaries
- A Tribute to Kay Kushino, by P.C. Staff, page 14. Kay Kushino, a longtime JACL leader and founding member of the Twin Cities Chapter, is remembered for her decades of service including her role during WWII incarceration at Heart Mountain and her later work promoting youth involvement in JACL. Donations poured in to the JACL Legacy Fund in her memory from across the country following her passing.
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