Vol. 114, No. 20, May 22, 1992. 8 pages. View this issue
The aftermath of the L.A. Riot ran through this eight-page issue. Harry K. Honda wrote about the Korea Times coverage and the vow of “Never Again” from editor K.W. Lee. More than 70 Asian American leaders met to coordinate relief after over 1,800 Korean American businesses were damaged or destroyed, and Rep. Norman Mineta backed emergency federal aid. On page one, the Justice Department objected to the reduced sentence in the appeal of Lloyd Ray Piche, convicted in the 1989 murder of Jim Loo.
Other pages turned to redress payments, with Cherry Kinoshita reporting that 12,500 eligible people born in 1934 or earlier would be paid in October 1992. A forum and a JACL workbook took up Japan-bashing, and Ken Nakagawa surveyed Japan Chapter members on stereotyping. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the nine Nakada brothers, and Denny T. Yasuhara questioned a JACL reorganization proposal.
What’s in this issue
National
- Justice Department Objects to Appeal in Loo Case Conviction, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the appeal by Lloyd Ray Piche regarding his conviction in the 1989 murder of Jim Loo, with the Justice Department filing a cross appeal objecting to his reduced sentence. Advocates from JACL and the Organization of Chinese Americans attended, arguing the judge erred in sentencing Piche below federal guideline minimums.
- California Civil Rights Bill Heads for Floor Vote, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A comprehensive civil rights bill introduced by California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown was approved by the Ways and Means Committee and is headed for a floor vote. The bill, AB3825, would prohibit certain discriminatory employment practices.
- Highlights of Korea Times Coverage, by Kay Hwangbo, Sophia Kyung Kim, page 1. President Bush met with Korean American riot victims and community leaders at Radio Korea, promising to be responsive, while store owner In Suk Yoo expressed frustration that SBA loans were insufficient compensation for damages. Watts grocer Chung Lee’s market was looted and burned despite his 15-year record of community service, and the Koreatown Emergency Response Task Force criticized inadequate police and National Guard protection during the riots.
- Mineta Calls for Federal Aid to L.A., Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta strongly supported emergency federal aid to Los Angeles and Chicago following major disasters, and the House approved $800 million in emergency loans and grants. Mineta warned that decades of neglect and under-investment in urban areas contributed to the crisis.
- Mineta Gets Transportation Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta was named 1992 Transportation Person of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation for authoring the 1991 federal highway/transit law bringing over $15 billion to California. The law also enabled release of $12.75 million in federal transit money for a light rail system between Mountain View and Milpitas.
Incarceration & Redress
- ORA Redress Payments Planned With Continuing Uncertainty, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 1. In October 1992, 12,500 eligible individuals born in 1934 or earlier will receive redress payments from the $250 million entitlement fund, but those born after 1934 may not receive compensation unless pending legislation passes Congress. The Office of Redress Administration is working to resolve all eligible cases by October, and JACL is urging community members to lobby for the necessary supplemental funding.
Commentary
- Out of Ashes, Solidarity, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. Editor emeritus Harry Honda surveys Korea Times coverage of the L.A. Riot’s devastating impact on the Korean American community, highlighting editor K.W. Lee’s vow of ‘Never Again’ and stories of Korean merchants who lost everything. The piece explores themes of media sensationalism, scapegoating, and the community’s resilience in the face of destruction.
- About the Nine Nakada Brothers, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa follows up on a New York Times editorial about Japanese American WWII heroes by detailing the accomplishments of the nine Nakada brothers, most of whom served in military intelligence and went on to distinguished scientific careers. He corrects an error repeated from his book ‘Nisei’ that misidentified the family’s hometown as Long Beach instead of Azusa.
- Reorganization: Centralization of Control and Authority, by Denny T. Yasuhara, page 6. Former National Board member Denny Yasuhara criticizes a JACL reorganization proposal for being rushed and for centralizing control and authority away from chapters and districts. He argues against changes to National Board elections, term limits, and increased oversight of the Pacific Citizen, calling the proposal a disguised effort to reduce grassroots input.
Community
- Black Actor Speaks at Museum Opening, by Harry Honda, page 1. Gregory Alan Williams, an African American actor who helped save Takao Hirata during the L.A. Riot, was a special guest at the May 15 public opening of the Japanese American National Museum. Williams spoke about perceiving similarities between communities while celebrating differences, and about the museum’s role in fostering understanding.
- Asian American Leaders Meet for Relief Effort, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 70 Asian American leaders met at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center to coordinate relief efforts after over 1,800 Korean American businesses and 600 other Asian American businesses were damaged or destroyed in the L.A. riots. A list of organizations providing relief services within the Japanese American community was compiled, including JACL and NCRR/Little Tokyo Service Center.
- Free Legal Help for Riot Victims, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian Pacific American Legal Center, with volunteer attorneys from multiple Asian American bar associations, is offering free legal advice to riot victims at locations in Crenshaw, Chinatown, and Long Beach. Clients are advised to bring leases, insurance papers, and related business documents.
- Group to Discuss Japan-Bashing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A coalition of Japanese American organizations is co-sponsoring a June 2 community forum in San Francisco to address the impact of Japan-bashing on the Japanese American community. Panelists including Prof. Ronald Takaki and JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi will discuss the issue at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California.
JACL
- JACL Workbook on Japan-Bashing, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL national headquarters developed a 50-page educational workbook titled ‘The Impact of Japan Bashing and the Buy American Movement on Japanese Americans’ for chapters. The workbook includes a JACL statement, a listing of anti-Asian incidents, and a summary of a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report.
- Japan Chapter Looks at Stereotyping, by Ken Nakagawa, page 5. Ken Nakagawa conducted an informal survey with Japan Chapter JACL board members about their experiences with stereotyping and discrimination while living in Japan as Americans. Members discussed causes rooted in media and human nature, and proposed education and one-to-one interaction as solutions to breaking down stereotypes.
Obituaries
- Abstract Artist ‘Mike’ Kanemitsu Dies, by Thomas K. Nagano, page 5. Matsumi ‘Mike’ Kanemitsu, 69, an internationally known abstract expressionist artist who knew Picasso and Matisse, died in his Los Angeles studio following a lengthy illness. His work is held in major museums worldwide, and he is survived by two daughters and a son; a memorial will be held June 28 at the Japan America Theater.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Encino Man’ Is Not an Excellent Adventure, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A movie review of ‘Encino Man’ describes the film about two high school outcasts who discover a thawed caveman as mostly unfunny despite a few comedic moments. The reviewer recommends skipping this film in favor of ‘Wayne’s World’ or ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’.
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