Redress education funding at risk, and racist fliers on campus

Vol. 120, No. 6, March 17, 1995. 12 pages. View this issue

Funding for the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund was in doubt as this issue went to press. Congressman Robert T. Matsui said Senate confirmation of the fund’s governing board was in jeopardy and that some Republicans were discussing rescinding the $5 million. The front page also reported on racist fliers at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law, where students of color including Anne T. Omura pressed the administration for stronger action, and on similar fliers at the College of San Mateo. The Office of Redress Administration also scheduled more payments, bringing its total to 79,515 individuals.

Inside are JACL’s financial troubles, with columns by Bill Hosokawa, Cherry Kinoshita and Joy Morimoto, and district council reports from the Pacific Southwest, Midwest and Intermountain regions. The Pacific Southwest District voted to apologize to World War II draft resisters, and Karl Nobuyuki wrote against that move. Chapter news on page 10 includes a Day of Remembrance in Sacramento and Kobe earthquake relief from Lodi.

What’s in this issue

National

• Confirmation Delays Signal Trouble for Education Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Robert T. Matsui warned that Senate confirmation of a governing board for the $5 million Civil Liberties Public Education Fund is in jeopardy, with some Republicans reportedly discussing rescinding the funds. Matsui said he would work with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to ensure the need for the education program is understood.
• Racist Fliers Hit Berkeley Law School for 2nd Time, by Richard Suenaga, page 1. Two racist hate mail incidents targeting first-year law students of color occurred at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law within two months, prompting criticism that the administration’s response was inadequate. Students of color, including Anne T. Omura, formed a coalition demanding a new dean of institutional diversity position and stronger action against bigotry on campus.
• Racists’ Message Is Genetic Inferiority, Says Student, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Racist hate mail incidents are becoming more commonplace, with similar fliers reported at Hastings Law School, University of Santa Clara, and College of San Mateo. Boalt Hall student Duane R. Valz wrote an editorial linking the incidents to a broader political climate including Proposition 187 and genetic supremacist ideas gaining acceptance.
• Nazi Symbols Stir San Mateo College, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Racist fliers apparently authored by Nazi sympathizers were distributed at the College of San Mateo, calling for removal of foreign-born students and minority instructors and referencing a ‘final solution.’ President Peter Landsberger denounced the fliers as students organized a forum to discuss racial issues.
• Judge Orders California to Enforce Motor Voter Law, by P.C. Staff, page 4. U.S. District Judge James Ware ordered Gov. Pete Wilson to enforce the National Voter Registration Act, giving California 10 days to develop an implementation plan. The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium applauded the ruling in a case aimed at increasing voter registration among minority and poor citizens.

Incarceration & Redress

• ORA Set for More Redress Payments, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration scheduled payments to approximately 50 more individuals on March 17, bringing the total granted to 79,515 individuals. ORA officials planned a trip to Arizona and California in April to meet with the Japanese American community and update progress.
• PSW Issues Apology to Draft Resisters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Pacific Southwest District voted 12-6-3 after heated debate to apologize to World War II draft resisters for JACL’s failure to recognize them, with Frank Emi of the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee present. The district also voted to support creation of a Lambda Chapter, which would be JACL’s first gay and lesbian chapter.
• Internment Experience Subject of California Social Studies Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National JACL Education Committee presented a session on the Constitution and Japanese American internment at the California Council for Social Studies conference in Fresno. Speakers Elisa Kamimoto, Dr. Franklin Ng, and Dr. Izumi Taniguchi covered the history of anti-Asian prejudice and the path to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
• Lessons of Internment Scheduled for March 25 Albany, Calif. Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A one-day conference organized by Lucy Hamai and sponsored by the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations will teach educators how to incorporate lessons of Japanese American internment into classrooms. Speakers include former internees Sox Kitashima, Fred Korematsu, Mits Koshiyama, and 442nd veteran Rudy Tokiwa.

Community

• Berkeley Chapter Asks for Action by Law School, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Berkeley Chapter, JACL, sent a letter to Boalt Hall Dean Herma Hill Kay expressing concern for the safety of all students following racist hate mail incidents. The chapter recommended a clear policy statement with sanctions against racially derogatory literature and threatening messages.
• MGM Pulls Racist WWII Bugs Bunny Video Cartoon, by P.C. Staff, page 4. MGM announced it would pull the World War II-era cartoon ‘Bugs Bunny Nips The Nip’ from redistribution after Sacramento Chapter, JACL, raised concerns that it was racist. MGM vice president Anne Corley apologized for the cartoon’s offensive nature while noting it reflected wartime-era animation.
• PC to Limit Editorial Opinions, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Pacific Citizen announced a policy change limiting editorial opinions and letters to focus more on news presentation. Editorial opinions will be limited to about 750 words, with only two pages devoted to editorials and letters except for the in-depth ‘Viewpoint’ feature.
• Chicago Chapter to Hold Health Insurance Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Chicago Chapter JACL will hold a subscriber service meeting on April 8 to discuss the JACL Group Health Insurance Program six months after its launch. Representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois and the JACL Group Health Trust will address questions and accept new enrollments.
• Educator Presents JA Talk to Dayton Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Dr. Mace Ishida presented a talk on the Japanese American experience to the Dayton Chapter, previewing a day-long seminar planned for March 23. The seminar aims to share background on internment and demonstrate JACL National Education Committee lesson plans aligned with Ohio’s curriculum.
• Fremont Celebrates 60th Anniversary, by Christine Nishihara, page 10. The Fremont Chapter, JACL, marked its 60th anniversary with an evening of festivities honoring dedicated volunteers at the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church. Attendees reminisced about the chapter’s history with volumes of records dating back to the early 1950s.
• Lodi Chapter Helps Kobe Quake Victims, by F. Jameson, page 10. The Lodi Chapter’s annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner raised a record $4,219 for Kobe earthquake relief, forwarded to the National JACL office. Volunteer coordinator Toshi Yoshioka led the fundraising effort supported by the local community.
• Sacramento Holds Day of Remembrance, by Toko Fujii, page 10. Sacramento Chapter, JACL, held a combined Day of Remembrance and Senior Appreciation Night attended by 250 people, featuring remarks from former National JACL president Jerry Enomoto and a slide show on redress history. The evening concluded with karaoke entertainment and gifts for attendees 75 and older.
• San Mateo, Sequoia Hold Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The joint installation dinner for San Mateo and Sequoia JACL chapters featured Rep. Anna Eshoo presenting congressional recognition to Roz Enomoto and Grayce Kato and administering the oath of office to new chapter presidents. Speakers included INS district director Tom Schiltgen and U.S. Attorney Michael Yamaguchi discussing hate crimes and civil rights.
• Las Vegas Preparing for JA Women’s Exhibit, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Las Vegas JACL chapter is preparing for the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit ‘Strength and Diversity: Japanese American Women 1885-1990,’ coming to UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum in July. The chapter is soliciting grants, interviewing local Nikkei women for an oral history project, and planning a traveling suitcase exhibit for schools.
• West L.A. Auxiliary’s ‘Spring Elegance’ Set, by Fumie Yahiro, page 10. The West Los Angeles JACL chapter auxiliary’s ‘Spring Elegance II’ fashion show-boutique will be held June 4 at Loew’s Hotel in Santa Monica. The event will feature fashions from several designers along with entertainment choreographed by Bonnie Oda Homsey.
• Reno Preparing for Tri-District Conference, by Jeanie Onitsuka, page 10. Reno JACL chapter activities included an annual scholarship teriyaki dinner and a potluck lunch planned for April, alongside co-hosting the Tri-District conference with NCWNP April 28-30 at the Reno Hilton themed ‘Eye on the Future.’ The spring season will conclude with a May 21 barbecue honoring chapter pioneers and charter members.

JACL

• NCWNP Supports Honoring of JA Vets, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Northern California Western Nevada Pacific District voted to support state highway markers honoring Japanese American WWII veterans of the MIS, 100th Infantry, and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The district also discussed the 1996 national convention theme and held a panel on National Board restructuring decisions.
• MDC Reaffirms JACL Commitment, by David K. Hayashi, page 3. The Midwest District Council meeting in Chicago drew strong attendance and passed resolutions endorsing constitutional amendments for a vice president of fund development and changes to the Nominations Committee. The council also noted MDC exceeded its 1994 membership growth goal and discussed support for national office during the transition period.
• IDC Shows Support for JACL President, by Yas Tokita, page 3. The Intermountain District Council meeting in Salt Lake City included a motion to purchase an ad supporting JACL President Denny Yasuhara and a resolution backing Troy Shiozaki’s civil rights in a Pocatello criminal case. The next IDC meeting will be a bi-district gathering with PNWDC in Boise in June.
• March 17-18 Scheduled ‘Emergency’ National Board Meeting—6 Go, 10 Don’t, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Six JACL National Board members planned to attend a contested emergency meeting in San Francisco to revisit the organization’s financial crisis and staff reorganization decision, despite President Denny Yasuhara’s refusal to officially call the meeting. Multiple districts including Central California, Midwest, and Intermountain had already passed resolutions supporting the board’s original reorganization decision.
• JACL Education Committee Members Make Presentation to National Group, by P.C. Staff, page 6. JACL Education Committee members Sharon Ishii-Jordan and Teresa Maebori presented a workshop on Japanese American internment at the National Association of Multicultural Educators conference in Washington, D.C. About 60 people attended the interactive session, which drew interest from publishers and educators nationwide.

Military & Veterans

• Nikkei War Vets Directory Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A group in Los Angeles and Orange County, led by spokesman Robert Wada, is compiling a directory of Nikkei veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Veterans are asked to submit background information and indicate interest in forming veterans organizations.
• Service to Honor JA Role in Dachau Liberation of WWII, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A memorial service on April 30 at the Japanese American National Museum will honor Japanese American and Jewish American soldiers who liberated Dachau during World War II, with Sen. Daniel Inouye as keynote speaker. The event coincides with the exhibit ‘Witness: Our Brothers’ Keepers’ and the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion reunion.

Commentary

• The Deficit: A Leadership That Let Us Down, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa criticizes JACL’s leadership for failing to question a growing deficit reported over a year and a half, noting staff salaries rose from 40 to over 90 percent of budget without member oversight. He praises Denny Yasuhara for taking on the difficult task of trying to save the organization from financial mismanagement.
• Ko-den, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Marutani explores the Japanese custom of ko-den, a monetary offering made to the family of a deceased person, and the associated etiquette of okaeshi (reciprocal thank-you gifts). He reflects on how the tradition has evolved over time and wonders whether it will survive within the Sansei generation.
• Former Staff Member Defends Her Colleagues, by Joy Morimoto, page 8. Former JACL staff member Joy Morimoto criticizes the organization’s treatment of eliminated staff positions and questions whether JACL is a conservative social club or a civil rights organization. She praises former colleagues’ dedication and calls on members to hold leadership accountable while recommitting to broader civil rights issues.
• Financial Challenges Facing the PC, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 9. Kinoshita discusses the Pacific Citizen’s financial situation, noting 1994 ended with a net income of about $5,000 due to reduced staff and publication cutbacks, and highlights Floyd Shimomura’s past contributions to the redress movement. She proposes launching a reserve fund, suggesting it be named after former editor Larry Tajiri, and invites reader suggestions with a contest deadline of April 1.
• Apology to Draft Resisters Demeans JACL, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 9. Nobuyuki argues against the PSWDC resolution apologizing to WWII draft resisters, contending that JACL’s wartime leadership made difficult but justified decisions under crisis conditions. He asserts that the resisters’ movement was linked to violence against JACL leaders, including the beating of Saburo Kido, and that an apology would unfairly demean JACL’s historical legacy.
• Letters, by Yoshie Nakashima, page 11. A letter writer raises questions about JACL’s decision-making process, budget projections, and potential loss of experienced staff amid the reorganization. The writer asks whether headquarters should be sold or moved and calls for more discussion of solutions rather than support for recent actions.

Arts & Entertainment

• Personally Speaking, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The feature film ‘Strawberry Fields,’ directed by Rea Tajiri and co-written with Kerri Sakamoto, follows a Japanese American girl coming of age in 1973 Chicago and stars Peter Yoshida, Suzy Nakamura, and Natsuko Ohama. Also noted are Grayce Uyehara and Teresa Maebori’s talks at the James A. Michener Art Museum on the Kenjiro Nomura internment camp paintings exhibit, and three Eagle Scouts honored at a Gardena ceremony.

Obituaries

• Esamu Sam Goto, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Esamu Sam Goto, 74, a decorated WWII veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, passed away March 4, 1995 at his home in Encinitas, California. He was a commercial fisherman and landscape gardener, survived by his wife Helen and children Albert and Colleen.
• Edward S. Mochizuki, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Edward S. Mochizuki, 93, an architect who immigrated from Hiroshima and graduated from USC, died Feb. 21 in Santa Barbara after a short illness. He was interned during WWII, later worked in New York and returned to farming in Madera before retiring to Santa Barbara, survived by his daughter Joyce Ucci and two granddaughters.

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