JACL’s response to the California Civil Rights Initiative

Vol. 122, No. 5, March 1, 1996. 12 pages. View this issue

The California Civil Rights Initiative drew a sharp response from the JACL in this issue. National President Denny Yasuhara and National Director Herbert Yamanishi warned that the measure could fuel racial intolerance and set minority groups against one another, and JACL announced a statewide effort to educate members. Sacramento-area groups organized Asian Pacific Americans for Affirmative Action, and nearly 30 Asian Pacific American organizations met in Washington, D.C. over immigration legislation. Harry K. Honda wrote about the Wing Luke Asian Museum’s exhibit on media stereotypes.

Other pages looked back at the war years. The Manzanar National Historic Site planning meetings were announced, and Sacramento’s Day of Remembrance event featured Hiroki Sugihara. Chapter news covered Cleveland, Philadelphia, Fresno and Ventura County. Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani wrote the commentary, with Karyl Matsumoto on chapter information before convention.

What’s in this issue

National

• JACL Leaders Critical of California Civil Rights Initiative, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL President Denny Yasuhara and National Director Herbert Yamanishi warned that the California Civil Rights Initiative could fuel racial intolerance and pit minority groups against each other. JACL announced a statewide effort to educate members about the long-term implications of the measure becoming law.
• Novato, Calif. Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime, Attempted Murder, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Robert Page, 25, pled guilty to a hate crime and attempted murder after stabbing Chinese American Eddie P. Wu in an unprovoked attack in Novato, California. Marin Chapter JACL president Dennis Sato organized a coalition and letter-writing campaign urging maximum punishment and pushing for a hate crime prevention plan in Novato.
• Judge Anthony Ishii Recommended for U.S. District Court, by P.C. Staff, page 7. U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer recommended Judge Anthony Ishii, a Selma Chapter JACL member, to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. Rep. Robert Matsui also praised Ishii’s dedication to public service.
• APA Groups Join for Immigration Concerns, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Nearly 30 Asian Pacific American organizations gathered in Washington, D.C. as part of the Asian Pacific American Immigration Education Effort to lobby against pending legislation that would reduce legal immigration and hinder family reunification. Political leaders including Reps. Patsy Mink, Robert Matsui and Neil Abercrombie participated in the campaign.
• APA Leader Says Diversity Concept Key to Halting Immigration Controls, by P.C. Staff, page 10. EEOC Vice Chairman Paul Igasaki delivered the keynote address at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association convention, urging unity against efforts to scapegoat immigrants and minorities. Igasaki, a NAPABA founder, was honored as one of the organization’s ‘trailblazers.’

Community

• Sacramento-area Affirmative Action Group Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some two dozen Sacramento-area organizations formed Asian Pacific Americans for Affirmative Action to counter the ‘model minority’ stereotype and voice support for affirmative action. The group includes speakers like Denny Yasuhara, Jerry Enomoto and others representing diverse Asian Pacific American perspectives.
• P.C. Editor Honda Addresses Ventura Chapter, JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Harry K. Honda, editor emeritus, served as guest speaker and installing officer for the Ventura County JACL executive board, discussing the Pacific Citizen’s history and advocating for its return to weekly publication. About 100 JACLers attended, including delegations from Santa Barbara and San Fernando Valley.
• Chicago Forced to Cancel Inaugural, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 61st annual Chicago JACL Inaugural scheduled for Jan. 20 was cancelled a week prior due to low RSVPs, with chapter president Geoff Tani citing financial concerns. The chapter expected to lose nearly $1,500 from the cancellation.
• Luncheon Honors Fresno, Calif., Nikkei Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A Fresno luncheon honored Fred Y. Hirasuna, a longtime JACL stalwart, and Tad Komukai for their contributions to the Nikkei community and U.S.-Japan agricultural relations. Both recently received decorations from the Japanese government.
• Utah Centennial Committee Seeks Support Now, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Japanese American Centennial Committee in Utah is seeking financial support now, ahead of the August gala banquet, for a history book documenting 100 years of Japanese in Utah. A $100 Centennial package includes the book, a family greeting ad, and other items.
• Norman Mineta Guest at D.C. Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Former U.S. Congressman Norman Mineta was honored at the Washington, D.C. Chapter JACL’s installation of new officers, led by new president Clyde Nishimura. Also present were Ambassador Kunihiko Saito and JACL National President Denny Yasuhara.
• Pocatello-Blackfoot Installs New Board, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Pocatello-Blackfoot Chapter JACL held its annual installation banquet in Jackpot, Nevada, with over 50 members attending under outgoing president Rick Endo. The chapter raised $447 for Court Appointed Special Advocates and announced new board members led by incoming president Micki Kawakami.
• Judge Charles Kobayashi to Be Honored in Sacramento, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Charles Kobayashi, named ‘Judge of the Year’ by the Sacramento Bar Association and the California State Bar Association in 1995, will be honored at a testimonial dinner in Sacramento. Kobayashi, a longtime Sacramento JACL member, was interned at Pinedale and Tule Lake during WWII before pursuing a legal career.
• JACL President Visits Seabrook Center, by P.C. Staff, page 7. JACL National President Denny Yasuhara toured the Seabrook Educational and Cultural Center in New Jersey, which preserves the history of Japanese Americans who settled in Seabrook after WWII internment. The center’s museum includes a diorama of Seabrook Farms and oral histories from former residents.
• Alaska to Host May 24 Event, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Alaska JACL is inviting JACLers and Nikkei from the Lower 48 to a Japanese American Gathering banquet on May 24 at the Alyeska Prince Hotel near Anchorage. The chapter is also offering optional Alaska land tour packages in conjunction with the event.

Arts & Entertainment

• Out of Focus, Out of Time, Out of Line… Asian Stereotyping Exhibit Explores Media Representations, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle presents ‘Out of Focus: Media Stereotypes of Asian Pacific Americans,’ an exhibit examining decades of demeaning depictions of Asians in comics, film, advertising and books. Curated with help from collector Victor Kubo and University of Washington scholars, the exhibit runs through May 12.
• Community Voices on Stereotyping React to Wing Luke Exhibit, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Several Asian Pacific Americans shared personal reflections on media stereotypes in connection with the Wing Luke Museum exhibit, describing experiences ranging from lost language identity to workplace bias tied to the model minority myth. Voices included Ray Ishii, Mira Shimabukuro, Sharon Tomiko Santos, and others discussing how stereotypes shaped their lives.

JACL

• JACL Schedules May 5 Regional Speech Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 1996 Minoru Yasui Oratorical Competition will be held May 5 in San Ramon, California, open to JACL member high school students 16 and older. District winners advance to the National JACL finals in San Jose in August for a $500 scholarship.

Incarceration & Redress

• ‘More Perfect Union’ Exhibit Reaches Cleveland Heights, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit on Japanese American internment opened at Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, featuring Nisei speakers including Judge William Marutani, Dr. Toaru Ishiyama, and author Monica Sone. A related photo exhibit of Manzanar images by Toyo Miyatake will also be displayed at Cleveland State University.
• Sugihara Honored by Sacramento Chapter, JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Hiroki Sugihara, son of diplomat Chiune Sugihara who saved thousands of Lithuanian Jews during WWII, was featured guest at Sacramento Chapter’s Day of Remembrance event. A video on his father’s life was shown along with remarks from historian Eric Saul and JACL regional director Patty Wada.
• Meetings Announced for Manzanar National Historic Site Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Four public meetings were scheduled in March for the National Park Service’s draft General Management Plan for the Manzanar National Historic Site, including sessions in Gardena and Inyo County. Manzanar Committee chair Sue Kunitomi Embrey urged public participation to ensure an historically accurate site representing all 10 relocation centers.

Military & Veterans

• Group Seeks JA Vets from Korean War for L.A. Monument, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The new Japanese American Korean War Veterans organization is raising $125,000 for a planned monument in Little Tokyo honoring deceased and missing veterans. The group is seeking information on several specific veterans including James Matsuo Tanaka and Yoneto James Nakata.
• Veterans Speak at Philadelphia JACL Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Philadelphia Chapter JACL held a meeting themed ‘Memories of War: the Nisei Legacy’ featuring WWII veterans Allen Okamoto, Bill Marutani and Ben Ohama. The documentary Honor Bound was also shown.
• Cleveland JACL Toasts WWII Nisei Veterans, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Seventeen Nisei WWII veterans were honored at a Cleveland JACL luncheon marking the 50th anniversary of the war’s end. Dr. Toaru Ishiyama spoke about wartime loyalty questions faced by Nisei, while Mary Obata shared memories of her mother and brothers who served.
• MIS Veterans Now Eligible for Military Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 10. A provision authored by Sen. Daniel Akaka and signed into law by President Clinton allows former Military Intelligence Service veterans to apply for military awards previously denied due to the covert nature of their WWII service. The initiative was inspired by the heroism of the late Richard Sakakida, whose exploits as an undercover spy in the Philippines went officially unrecognized.

Commentary

• Behind-the-Scenes Heroes in Colorado, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Hosokawa responds to a letter from Professor Joseph Norio Uemura crediting his father, Rev. Seijiro Uemura, and other Denver clergy with influencing Gov. Ralph Carr’s decision to welcome Japanese American evacuees during WWII. Hosokawa acknowledges this contribution while noting other unconfirmed claims of influence on Carr’s stance.
• The Presidential Primaries, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Marutani reflects on Bob Dole’s loss in the New Hampshire primary to Pat Buchanan and discusses how Nisei cultural values might align with conservative principles. He also recalls his own experience running for Pennsylvania Supreme Court and praises Sen. Phil Gramm for publicly embracing his Asian wife during his campaign.
• Compromise Solution to Nikkei World War II Vets Memorial, by T. Gorai, page 8. A letter writer proposes a compromise for a Los Angeles monument honoring Japanese American WWII soldiers, suggesting a panel honoring the KIA alongside a listing of 12,000 names or stars representing all who served. The writer urges quick action since aging Nisei veterans are the primary funding source.
• Seeks Information on Internment Camp Libraries, by Andrew B. Wertheimer, page 8. A library science Ph.D. candidate is researching libraries in WWII assembly centers and relocation camps and requests memories from those who used or worked in camp libraries. He is also seeking photographs, library cards, and other artifacts for his dissertation.
• Clarifies Life of Late War Hero Richard Sakakida, page 8. A letter writer defends the reputation of WWII hero Richard Sakakida against accusations of disloyalty stemming from his undercover work wearing a Japanese uniform while a POW. The writer cites testimonials from fellow former POWs attesting to Sakakida’s heroism and sacrifice during captivity in the Philippines.
• One Answer to Racial Stereotyping, by Harry K. Honda, page 9. Honda recounts JACL’s decades-long campaign against anti-Nisei propaganda films from WWII being rebroadcast on television, detailing a 1957 letter-writing campaign by National Director Mas Satow to TV stations. He also describes later efforts by Raymond Okamura and George Takei to combat objectionable films depicting Japanese Americans as spies and traitors.
• To Make Decisions, Chapters Need Information—Now, by Karyl Matsumoto, page 9. Matsumoto argues that JACL chapters need timely access to budgets, program updates, and bylaws ahead of the National Convention to make informed decisions on programs and dues. She criticizes the practice of providing critical financial information at the last minute and calls for accurate membership data and strong leadership candidates for national office.

Obituaries

• Age Yasuda, page 11. Age Yasuda, 99, of Visalia, California, passed away on Feb. 3, survived by sons Dick and Dr. James, and several daughters. She was a longtime resident of the Visalia community.
• Harry K. Hirashima, page 11. Harry K. Hirashima, 79, a retired electrical engineer at Avco born in San Francisco, died Jan. 22 in Plano, Texas. He was survived by his children, brothers and sister after predeceased by his wife Pat Koizumi Hirashima.
• Franklin Yoshitaka Okuda, page 11. Franklin Yoshitaka Okuda, 76, of Livingston, California, passed away Feb. 13 in Turlock. He is survived by his wife Kikue, son Paul, sister Esther Tanizawa, and three grandchildren.

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