Day of Remembrance events and a poll on ethnic stereotypes

Vol. 118, No. 9, March 11, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue

Day of Remembrance observances filled the front page, with Diablo Valley Chapter members winning city proclamations in Walnut Creek, Martinez and Concord, and Toko Fujii reporting on the Sacramento event where Dr. Clifford Uyeda spoke. Also on page 1 was a National Conference of Christians and Jews poll, conducted by Louis Harris, on the stereotypes that Asian Americans, African Americans, Latinos and whites hold of one another. A Rohwer item announced cherry trees for the cemetery.

Commentary included Bill Hosokawa on where redress fits among other grievances, Bill Marutani’s memory of leaving Tule Lake for college in 1942, and Denny T. Yasuhara on the Spokane Chapter’s lawsuit against the state Democratic Party. Mei Nakano wrote about volunteerism, and Harry K. Honda looked back at the paper’s own history. Page 3 gathers chapter installation dinners, and page 4 covers Doris Meissner’s briefing on immigration and naturalization.

What’s in this issue

National

• Minorities Have Stereotypes of Whites, Each Other, Poll Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new poll commissioned by the National Conference of Christians and Jews found that Asian Americans, African Americans and Latinos harbor negative stereotypes of whites and of each other. The survey of 2,755 respondents conducted by Louis Harris found significant percentages agreeing with negative ethnic stereotypes across groups.
• Nikkei Killed by Police Linked to Prior Robbery, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David Fukuto, who shot and killed two Palos Verdes Estates police officers at a Torrance hotel, has been linked to an earlier robbery reported by the Daily Breeze. Fukuto died from injuries sustained in a struggle to restrain him after the attack, and had previously been rejected for an LAPD position despite passing exams.
• AP Groups Back Patrick for Top Civil Rights Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Clinton’s nominee Deval Patrick for assistant attorney general for civil rights was endorsed by JACL, OCA, NAPABA, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and NAPALC. JACL Washington Representative Karen Narasaki praised his commitment to civil rights, noting he would oversee the Office of Redress Administration.
• INS Director Briefs AP Groups on Initiative, by P.C. Staff, page 4. INS Director Doris Meissner met with representatives from OCA, JACL, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and NAPALC to brief them on a new $540 million immigration and naturalization initiative announced by Attorney General Janet Reno. Meissner reassured the groups about improved training for border agents and increased funding for community-sponsored naturalization programs.

Incarceration & Redress

• Diablo Valley Chapter Gets Cities to Recognize Day of Remembrance, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Through efforts of the Diablo Valley Chapter, JACL, the cities of Walnut Creek, Martinez and Concord, Calif. proclaimed Feb. 19 as the Day of Remembrance. Chapter president Mike Hamachi credited several members for working with city governments in a non-confrontational manner to secure the proclamations.
• Sacramento Day of Remembrance Highlights Speakers, Festivities, by Toko Fujii, page 1. The Sacramento Chapter, JACL’s Day of Remembrance event drew 300 attendees and honored seniors 75 and older, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Clifford Uyeda who discussed the National Japanese American Historical Society and concerns about a backlash during 1995 VJ Day commemorations. A 26-minute video depicting life in Lake County during 1942-43 was also shown.
• Cherry Trees to Be Planted at Rohwer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Rohwer Restoration Committee of Southern California announced Japanese cherry trees will be planted at the Rohwer National Cemetery on March 19. The trees are a gift from the committee, which raised funds from former camp residents to restore two monuments built at the center in 1944-45.

JACL

• Kobayashi Addresses Florin JACL Installation, by Bill Kashiwagi, page 3. Sacramento Judge Charles Kobayashi was keynote speaker at the Florin Chapter, JACL installation luncheon, relating his experiences in the court system. New chapter president Mark Morodomi and the board were sworn in, and community service awards were presented to several longtime members.
• Mariner VP Speaks to Lake Washington Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Paul Isaki, vice president for business development for the Seattle Mariners, spoke at the Lake Washington Chapter JACL installation dinner about his career and experiences in state government under Gov. Booth Gardner. Don Maekawa was installed as chapter president amid entertainment by a jazz band and other community guests.
• Wisconsin JACL Installation Held, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hisashi Miyazaki of JETRO was guest speaker at the Wisconsin Chapter JACL’s installation dinner held at Milwaukee’s Strucel’s Restaurant. The brief item covers the Feb. 6 event.
• Joint Installation Hears U.S. Attorney, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A near-capacity crowd of 150 heard Michael Yamaguchi, newly appointed U.S. Attorney for Northern California, at the joint JACL installation dinner of the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley Chapters. Otis Kadani was also recognized for his decades of community leadership, and Keith Kuwatani was installed as Monterey Peninsula president.
• Mt. Olympus Offers ’93 Curriculum Guide, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Mt. Olympus JACL has 10 copies of the JACL Curriculum Guide, ‘The Japanese American Experience: Lesson in American History,’ available for loan. The guide is designed for elementary, intermediate and high school students and can be borrowed by contacting chapter president Reid Tateoka.
• Assemblyman Takasugi Talks Politics to Ventura Group, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Assemblyman Nao Takasugi spoke at the Ventura County JACL installation luncheon about his first year in office, citing the need for a ‘three strikes’ crime bill following a violent incident at a Thousand Oaks high school. Dr. Tsujio Kato was re-elected chapter president and past national JACL president Harry Kajihara served as emcee.
• Asian Americans Still Face Issues in Higher Education, by Mary Karasawa, page 3. Dr. Bob Suzuki, president of Cal Poly Pomona, spoke at the Selanoco JACL installation dinner about ongoing issues facing Asian Americans in higher education, including the model minority stereotype, unmet ESL needs, and the glass ceiling in leadership. Edwin Shiba was installed to his third term as chapter president and several members were honored for their contributions.
• JACL Inagaki, Uno Award Forms Available, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Guidelines and nomination forms are now available for the 1994 George Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award and the Edison Uno Civil Rights Award, with a nomination deadline of May 1, 1994. The awards will be presented at the National JACL Award Banquet during the JACL National Convention in Salt Lake City.

Community

• All Aboard: New 1994 Board Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A listing of newly elected 1994 board members for the Selma, Contra Costa and Berkeley JACL chapters is provided. The feature invites chapters to submit their board lists and photos for future publication.

Commentary

• Expanding the Concept of Redress, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa discusses Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary’s revelation that hundreds of Americans were subjected to radiation experiments during the Cold War, drawing parallels to the Japanese American redress campaign. He questions where Japanese Americans should stand on other redress issues, such as those involving Native Americans, African Americans, and miners suffering occupational illnesses, given fiscal constraints.
• Student Relocation: 1942, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Bill Marutani recounts his journey from Tule Lake concentration camp to Dakota Wesleyan University in 1942, describing encounters along the way including a racially charged incident at an Omaha train station. He details his time at the university, the hospitality of local families like the Hirnings and Kloepfers, and how he financed his education through scholarships and odd jobs.
• Doesn’t Like PC Coverage of PSW Reception for Senzaki, by Wiki Himeno, page 5. A letter writer criticizes the Pacific Citizen for sensationalizing an MC’s tongue-in-cheek remarks at a PSW District reception for new National Executive Director Randy Senzaki, rather than focusing on Senzaki’s speech and his mother’s introduction. The writer argues this approach fuels internal JACL strife rather than supporting the organization.
• More Thanks for One Who Helped Others, page 5. A letter writer responds to a previous letter about Judy Austin Rantala’s efforts helping Nisei students during WWII, sharing that they too benefited from her assistance while attending the University of New Hampshire in 1943-44. The writer expresses gratitude and mentions reconnecting with Rantala through the Pacific Citizen.
• Why We Must Confront the Democratic Party, by Denny T. Yasuhara, page 6. Denny Yasuhara details the Spokane Chapter JACL’s lawsuit against the Washington State and Spokane County Democratic Parties over racist remarks made by party officials, including a slur referring to Japanese American hotel owners as ‘a bunch of Chinks’ and a mocking bow. He argues the Democratic Party’s failure to discipline those involved threatens Asian American political representation and calls for JACL and Asian American communities to unite in demanding accountability.
• Giving Yourselves Away, by Mei Nakano, page 6. Mei Nakano examines a survey on volunteerism, noting that middle-aged, educated, and affluent Americans volunteer most while Asian Americans report comparatively low rates. She questions whether this reflects a flaw in data lumping together diverse Asian populations or a broader decline in civic participation affecting JACL and similar organizations.
• Very Truly Yours: The Role of Pacific Citizen, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Harry Honda reflects on his work organizing the Pacific Citizen archives and shares a 1942 editorial titled ‘A Letter to the Nisei’ written by Mike Masaoka, emphasizing that the newspaper serves all Japanese Americans, not just JACL members. He recounts the history of the PC’s various office locations over the decades.

Obituaries

• Avis Nakamoto Skinner, page 8. Avis T. Nakamoto Skinner, 72, of Sacramento, born in Penryn, died Feb. 10. She is survived by daughters Karen Sonoda and Nola Pace, grandchildren, and sisters Mae and Doris Kuramatsu and Marsha Nishiyama.
• Marian Haruko Susuki, page 8. Marian Haruko Susuki, 68, of West Los Angeles, passed away Feb. 9, with funeral services held at the West Los Angeles United Methodist Church. Born in Long Beach, she was evacuated to Jerome, Ark., attended Wooster College, worked as an outpatient dietitian at UCLA Hospital, and was active with the JACL and other community organizations.

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