Vol. 117, No. 7, September 3, 1993. 8 pages. View this issue
Plans for the 2000 Census led this 8-page issue. The Census Bureau announced changes meant to end the undercounts of Latinos, Asians and African Americans seen in 1990, including simpler mail-in forms, bilingual questionnaires and 14 design alternatives to be tested in 1995. Elsewhere on the front page, Frank Atonio was honored at the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance convention, Sharon Maeda was named a deputy assistant secretary at HUD, and the Fresno JACL chapter marked its 70th anniversary in honor of Fred Hirasuna.
The opinion pages turned to the film Rising Sun. Valerie Nao Yoshimura wrote on its treatment of women, readers gave differing views, and Steven Okazaki began work on a response film. Bill Hosokawa recalled the 1954 evacuation claims hearings, Mei Nakano wrote on the paper’s editorial independence, and Lillian C. Kimura and Patrick Okura looked at the March on Washington.
What’s in this issue
National
- ‘User Friendly’ Census Changes Are in the Works, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Census Bureau announced sweeping changes for the 2000 Census aimed at eliminating undercounts of Latinos, Asians and African Americans that occurred in 1990. Proposed changes include simpler mail-in questionnaires, bilingual forms, walk-in assistance centers, and testing 14 design alternatives in 1995.
- Leading the Labor Cause, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Atonio, plaintiff in the Wards Cove v. Antonio employment discrimination case, was honored at the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance convention in Los Angeles. Fred Korematsu, Yuri Kochiyama, David Trask and Antonio were honored, with Rev. Jesse Jackson giving the keynote address pledging support for justice and equality.
- Sharon Maeda Appointed Deputy Assistant HUD Secretary, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sharon Maeda, a former Girls Nation delegate and National Park Service director, has returned to Washington, D.C. as deputy assistant secretary of HUD, making her the ranking Asian American at the agency. She was convinced to take the job by HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros’s approach, and will focus on developing communications strategy for the department.
- UCLA Cleared of Discrimination Charges Against Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Office for Civil Rights reversed an earlier finding and concluded that UCLA’s Department of Mathematics complied with federal law in its admission of Asian American graduate students. The reversal came after nearly three years of additional review following the university’s appeal of a 1990 general review finding statistical disparities.
- ALC Calls for Investigation of Killing of Japanese Student, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Asian Law Caucus joined JACL in expressing concern that the killing of Masakazu Kuriyama, a Japanese exchange student shot near the Concord BART station, could be a racially-motivated hate crime. ALC executive director Paul Igasaki urged authorities not to prematurely dismiss the possibility of a hate crime given rising anti-Asian sentiment.
JACL
- Fresno Chapter’s 70th Dedicated to Hirasuna, by Harry K. Honda, Editor emeritus, page 1. Fred Hirasuna, 85, was honored at the Fresno American Loyalty League and JACL chapter’s 70th anniversary celebration, reflecting on his 64 years with the organization. He proposed a JACL motto of ‘Better America for All Americans’ and was praised by chapter leaders and Sansei members for his inspiration and leadership.
- Cleveland Tri-District Conference: Taking Care of Business, by Sherry Shimamoto Pratt, page 1. David Hayashi of the Twin Cities Chapter was elected the new Midwest District governor at the tri-district conference in Cleveland. The council approved various actions including flood relief donations, chapter budget matters, and reports on Legacy Fund progress and youth programs.
- JACL Chapter on Probation, by Gwen Muranaka, page 2. The JACL National Board voted at its March 20, 1993 meeting to place the Progressive Westside Chapter of the Pacific Southwest District on probation. The chapter failed to submit dues, a list of elected officers, and maintain activity, and has until Nov. 19, 1993 to respond.
- JACL’s Role Is Up to Members, Says Journalist Hosokawa, by Harry K. Honda, Editor emeritus, page 3. Journalist Bill Hosokawa spoke at the Fresno JACL chapter’s 70th anniversary, questioning whether there is still a role for JACL and what that role should be, leaving the answer to dues-paying members. He raised issues including U.S.-Japan trade tensions, human rights positions, and controversies over the film Rising Sun and the ‘Jap Road’ naming dispute.
Commentary
- A Look at Women’s Issues in the Workplace, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Karen Suzuki-Okabe, a human resources specialist, spoke at the Cleveland tri-district conference about the changing workforce and issues facing Asian American women including the glass ceiling, cultural stereotyping and discrimination. She urged women to understand office politics and take advantage of networking opportunities.
- IN-SIGHT: Aug. 28, 1993, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 5. JACL National President Lillian Kimura describes attending the 30th anniversary March on Washington, noting the diversity of marchers and numerous speakers including Coretta Scott King, Jesse Jackson, and Asian American leaders. She thanks Karen Narasaki, Joy Nakamura, and EDC chapters for making JACL’s participation possible.
- Evacuees Hollered in 1954, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa recounts 1954 congressional hearings on amending the Japanese American evacuation claims act, prompted by a former student sending him old hearing documents. He notes that Japanese Americans have long spoken openly about their Evacuation experiences, contrary to claims they were silent until recently.
- Clearing Up the Snowflakes, by Mei Nakano, page 6. Nakano examines the debate over whether Pacific Citizen should function as a newsletter serving JACL leadership’s views or as an independent newspaper serving the public’s right to know. She argues for the newspaper model, citing the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics on freedom of the press and open forums for diverse viewpoints.
- Reader Appreciates Role of Pacific Citizen, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 6. Karl Nobuyuki writes to commend Pacific Citizen’s coverage of the Rising Sun controversy and its independence from National JACL. He argues that a free press within JACL is essential to preserving the traditions and struggles of the Nisei.
- Reader: Rising Sun Isn’t Japan-Bashing, page 6. A Japanese American reader from Oklahoma shares her positive impression of the film Rising Sun after viewing it in Waco, Texas. She and her Caucasian husband did not find the film to be Japan-bashing, and she particularly liked the character Fast Eddie.
- Rising Sun: Sensitive but Not to Women, by Valerie Nao Yoshimura, page 7. Yoshimura argues that while Rising Sun is multi-culturally sensitive in its treatment of race relations and mixed-race identity, it is deeply problematic in its depiction of women, particularly through violent sexuality and objectification. She contends the film’s danger lies not just in Japanese American representation but in its broader legitimization of violence against women.
- Let’s Give Credit to Hosokawa Writings, by Bull? (Florham Park, NJ), page 8. A reader writes to highlight Bill Hosokawa’s own historical newspaper columns from the late 1930s and early 1940s, including pieces about job difficulties for Nisei college graduates and a series called ‘A Letter from Singapore.’ The writer praises these columns as timely and insightful observations of pre-war Japanese American life.
- Sidebar: Clearing Up the Snowflakes (continued), by Mei Nakano, page 8. Nakano continues her argument for editorial independence at Pacific Citizen, referencing editor Richard Suenaga’s response to PSWD criticism. She contends that suppressing views is unhealthy and insults readers’ intelligence, while an informed readership makes for more engaged JACL members.
Incarceration & Redress
- Recalling the Great Moments: March on Washington, D.C., by Richard Suenaga, Editor, page 5. Patrick Okura recalls attending the 1963 March on Washington as JACL president, despite opposition from some members who felt civil rights for Blacks was not JACL’s concern. He describes marching with a small JACL contingent and being deeply moved by Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
Arts & Entertainment
- Filmmaker to Create Film to Protest Rising Sun, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki has begun pre-production on a film titled Rising Sons in response to what he called the ‘poisonous insult’ of Rising Sun. The film will feature actors performing dramatic pieces drawn from real-life interviews with Asian Americans about racism in their lives.
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