JACL protests a slur on television, and redress lawsuits

Vol. 115, No. 11, October 9, 1992. 8 pages. View this issue

JACL objected to a racial slur on the CBS show Northern Exposure, sending a letter to the producers and asking for a public apology. National Executive Director Dennis Hayashi called the remark inappropriate and insensitive. Also on the front page, fourteen former internees who went to Japan during World War II filed a redress lawsuit in San Jose, and the Office of Redress Administration reported that $1 billion in redress payments had gone to 50,000 individuals. Gwen Muranaka covered the Asian Pacific Women’s Network conference in Los Angeles.

Inside are Bill Hosokawa’s column on the Heart Mountain reunion in Seattle and Bill Marutani’s update on Japan’s yakuza. Lillian C. Kimura wrote about the Fort Lupton JACL chapter’s 50th anniversary. Harry Honda reviewed books, including one on the Japanese Canadian redress settlement. Page 3 reports House votes on hate crimes penalties and a permanent Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Asian Pacific Women’s Conference Notes Progress but Focuses on Work Ahead, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. The Asian Pacific Women’s Network’s national conference in Los Angeles drew about 200 attendees to discuss the role of Asian Pacific American women in the broader women’s movement. Keynote speaker Irene Natividad and others acknowledged progress made while emphasizing significant work remains ahead.
• Care of Parents Subject of Workshop, by Frances Okuno, page 1. A workshop titled ‘Caring for our Parents and Ourselves’ addressed issues facing Nisei and Issei as they age, including home care options, durable power of attorney, and long-term care planning. Speakers included social workers and gerontology experts from Huntington Memorial Hospital and Keiro Nursing Home.
• Personally Speaking: Awards, Inventors, and Business Achievers, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This roundup column highlights Nikkei achievers including Seattle’s Matrix Table honorees Phyllis Campbell and Akiko Kurose, Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient Midori Shimanouchi Lederer, inventor Takuzo Tsuchiya, and business leader Ruby Okada. Each is recognized for professional and community contributions.

National

• JACL Protests Slur on ‘Northern Exposure’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL sent a letter to the producers of the CBS show Northern Exposure objecting to the use of the racial slur ‘Japs’ in its premiere episode. National Executive Director Dennis Hayashi called the remark inappropriate and insensitive, demanding a public apology.
• House Passes Increase in Hate Crimes Penalty, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The House of Representatives approved legislation directing the U.S. Sentencing Commission to increase penalties for crimes motivated by hatred and bigotry. Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, a sponsor, cited the murder of Vietnamese American teenager Luyen Nguyen as evidence of the law’s necessity.
• House OKs Bill Making May Asian American Heritage Month, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The House of Representatives passed legislation permanently designating May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, according to Rep. Robert T. Matsui. Matsui said the permanent designation would give all Americans the opportunity to learn about Asian American history and diversity.

Incarceration & Redress

• Internees Deported to Japan in WWII Sue for Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fourteen former internees and relocatees filed a federal lawsuit in San Jose challenging a government policy denying redress to those who went to Japan during WWII, even under duress. The suit, filed by the Asian Law Caucus and Morrison & Foerster, could set precedent for more than 100 others excluded from redress.
• Redress Payments Update: ORA Begins Final Round of Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration reported that virtually all funds for this fiscal year’s redress payments will be distributed by Oct. 21, 1992. Since the program began in October 1990, $1 billion in redress payments has been made to 50,000 individuals.

JACL

• In Person Presentation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National President Lillian Kimura presented the Edison Uno Award to Rep. George Miller during a trip to Washington, D.C. The award, announced at the national biennial convention in Denver, recognized Miller’s efforts on civil rights and redress funding legislation.
• The Time Is Write, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Pacific Citizen announced it is preparing its annual Holiday Issue and is requesting chapters submit editorial material such as activities, projects, and achievements. The editorial deadline was set for Friday, Oct. 31.
• Making the Colorado Connection, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 6. JACL National President Lillian Kimura recounts her visit to the Fort Lupton JACL chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration in Colorado. She describes the chapter’s history, its founding in 1941, and its enduring community traditions like the annual chow mein fundraiser dinner.

Commentary

• JACL Gives Mixed Reaction to Law School Investigation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL expressed mixed reactions to the Office of Civil Rights investigation of Boalt Hall law school’s admissions policies, supporting the principle of diversity while expressing concern the findings could be misused to attack affirmative action. National Director Dennis Hayashi warned against dismantling programs that have benefited Asian Americans.
• Sexual Harassment Awareness and ‘Second Injury’, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An article discussed challenges in addressing sexual harassment, including cultural stereotypes portraying Asian women as submissive, as noted by Yoshihama. It also described the danger of ‘second injury,’ where victims seeking help receive non-supportive responses, urging community sensitivity.
• Memories of Heart Mountain Reunion, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the fourth Heart Mountain camp reunion in Seattle, which drew 1,040 former internees from across the country and abroad. He shares poems from the Heart Mountain Sentinel’s 1943 New Year’s issue that captured the emotional experience of incarceration.
• ‘Yakuza’: An Update, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani examines the state of Japan’s yakuza organizations following the 1992 Organized Crime Group Countermeasure Law, describing how gangs have rebranded as legitimate businesses while continuing lucrative rackets. He details enforcement efforts, gang finances estimated at $10.1 billion, and a police hotline helping members defect.

In-Depth

• Book Focuses on Japanese Canadian Redress Effort, by Harry Honda, page 5. A review of ‘Justice in Our Time: The Japanese Canadian Redress Settlement’ by Roy Miki and Cassandra Kobayashi describes the history of Japanese Canadian internment and their 1980s redress campaign. The reviewer praises the book’s literary style and photographic richness compared to similar U.S. redress accounts.
• Books in Brief, by Harry Honda, page 5. Short reviews cover several photo history albums including ‘Fort Snelling, Minn.: Military Intelligence Service Language School’ by TecCom Productions, featuring 1945 photographs of MISLS. Also mentioned is a Sonoma County JACL curriculum guide on the Japanese American Wartime Experience presented at the National JACL Convention.

Arts & Entertainment

• Discovering the Way of Tai Chi, by Harry Honda, page 5. A review of ‘Ai Imawa: Harmony Now’ by Lawrence K. Kishiyama describes the book’s tai chi postures aimed at promoting harmony and honoring the author’s martial arts heritage. A testimonial from prewar P.C. editor Evelyn Kirimura Okamoto praised the book for helping her find calm.

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