Teaching children about Manzanar, plus the fight to keep J-Towns

Vol. 135, No. 2, July 19, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

Ways to teach children about the Japanese American incarceration (often called internment) led the news. Tony Osumi offered ten suggestions, from picture books to oral histories to the Manzanar Pilgrimage. Martha Nakagawa surveyed Japantowns and Chinatowns facing redevelopment, including Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, and the paper reported that JACL and OCA withdrew support for a pardon petition for Wen Ho Lee.

Other pages looked at the JACL national convention in Las Vegas. Floyd Mori wrote about the next biennium, Ben Arikawa questioned the resolution process, and Harry K. Honda reported on a Census workshop. Chapters announced scholarship winners, California honored the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service, and the Tule Lake gathering opened registration. The sports and arts pages closed out the issue.

What’s in this issue

In-Depth

• No More Camps: 10 Ways for You and Your Kids to Learn About Manzanar, by Tony Osumi, page 1. Tony Osumi offers ten suggestions for teaching children about the Japanese American incarceration, including reading picture books, visiting museums, watching films critically, and attending the Manzanar Pilgrimage. He emphasizes making history personal through art, oral histories with camp survivors, and involvement in the ongoing fight for redress and reparations.

National

• Preserving History: A Look at the Nation’s J-Towns and Chinatowns, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. Historic Japantowns and Chinatowns across the country face threats from urban redevelopment and gentrification, with Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo caught in a debate over an art park versus a recreation center on city-owned land. The article surveys similar struggles in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, where community groups are fighting to preserve historic ethnic enclaves against development pressures.
• JACL Withdraws Support for Wen Ho Lee Petition Effort, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL and OCA withdrew support for a petition seeking a presidential pardon for former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee after learning the effort might jeopardize his civil lawsuit against the government. Petition organizer Cecilia Chang said she will continue pushing for a pardon despite the groups’ retraction of support.
• California Honors JA WWII Veterans for First Time, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The California State Assembly honored Japanese American WWII veterans for the first time on June 24, recognizing the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Military Intelligence Service. Over 100 veterans and 200 family members attended the ceremony, which included a Capitol tour and screening of the documentary ‘A Tradition of Honor.’
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 3. This roundup covers Matt Matsunaga’s announcement to run for Hawaii lieutenant governor, federal opposition to a California law allowing WWII slave labor lawsuits against Japanese companies, growth in ethnic newspapers in New York, and a Seattle City Council vote to study racial profiling in traffic stops. Each brief covers a distinct national news item relevant to Asian American communities.
• Petition Effort for Wen Ho Lee Continued, page 5. This continuation details how JACL Honolulu chapter and national OCA withdrew support for the Wen Ho Lee pardon petition after learning it could jeopardize his civil lawsuit against the government, per the family’s wishes conveyed through attorney Brian Sun. Petition organizer Cecilia Chang maintains her belief that the pardon effort represents a broader symbol of justice for Asian Americans and vows to continue her push despite the withdrawals.
• Assemblyman Nakano Authors Bill to Create APIA Commission, page 6. California Assemblyman George Nakano’s bill AB 116 passed a Senate committee vote, moving forward the creation of California’s first Asian Pacific Islander American Advisory Commission. The commission would help identify community needs and advise the governor, legislature, and state agencies on issues affecting the growing APIA population.

Commentary

• Of the People, By the People, by Ben Arikawa, page 2. A Las Vegas chapter delegate expresses disappointment with the JACL national convention’s resolution process, criticizing the flood of last-minute ’emergency resolutions’ that bypassed proper chapter-level discussion and voting. He argues that allowing decisions by as few as 67 attendees undermines the democratic representation of the broader JACL membership.
• Arigato New 1000 Club Members!, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 2. Dr. Frank Sakamoto thanks new members who joined the JACL’s 1000 Club financial support arm at the national convention. He lists individuals who joined or upgraded their membership and invites others interested in joining to contact him.
• Census Workshop: A JACL Convention Bonus, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda reports on a Census Bureau workshop at the JACL national convention that provided detailed data on the Japanese American population by state and metropolitan area, including new data on multiracial Japanese Americans. He discusses historical context of JACL’s presence in Hawaii and notes the Japanese population’s high median age compared to other Asian groups.
• Troubled in Paradise: The Strange Case of Tetsuo Harano, by Brian Niiya, page 8. Brian Niiya examines the controversial renaming of Hawaii’s H-3 freeway tunnels, originally named after retired highway department head Tetsuo Harano, which were renamed after Gov. John Burns by current Gov. Ben Cayetano. Niiya speculates the change may relate to a decades-old grievance when Cayetano was denied a promotion at the highway department under Harano’s leadership.

JACL

• The Next Biennium, by Floyd Mori, JACL National President, page 2. JACL National President Floyd Mori reflects on his first two years leading the organization and outlines priorities for the next biennium, emphasizing membership growth and support for local chapters. He highlights the intangible benefits JACL provides through its civil rights legacy and plans to pursue a membership enhancement strategy targeting non-members, including youth.
• Longtime JACLer Reflects on 2002 Convention, page 2. An Arizona chapter member recounts attending the 2002 JACL national convention in Las Vegas, describing the chapter’s award recognition, volunteer activities at the WWII leaders tribute dinner, and plans to bid for the 2006 convention in Phoenix. The piece also thanks convention organizers and national leadership for recognizing the Arizona delegation.
• Honolulu JACL Installs New Officers, Honors Civil Rights Activists, page 4. The Honolulu JACL chapter swore in new executive officers led by President Clement Bautista and presented service awards to longtime civil rights activists Helen Nagtalon Miller and James and Yoshie Tanabe. The installation program included cultural performances and remarks on JACL’s continuing role in civil rights advocacy, including efforts to name a school after Sen. Spark Matsunaga.

Community

• APAs in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This roundup highlights notable Asian Pacific Americans including Assemblymembers Judy Chu and Wilma Chan named top legislators by California Journal, biology teacher Carol Fujita winning a science education award, violinist Tamaki Kawakubo’s competition wins, and Michael R. Yamaki’s civic appointments. It also covers Paul F. Iwasaki’s selection as a judge on Salt Lake City’s new justice court.
• Santa Maria Valley JACL Holds 2002 Scholarship Luncheon, page 4. Santa Maria Valley JACL held its 2002 scholarship luncheon keynoted by JACL Executive Director John Tateishi. Scholarship recipients Christina Tsuyuki and Alana Toshi Garcia were honored for their academic and career plans.
• South Bay JACL Presents 2002 Egashira Scholarship, page 4. South Bay JACL awarded the Kiichi Egashira Memorial Scholarship to four students pursuing science-related degrees, honoring the memory of engineer Kiichi Egashira who was interned at Gila River. A reception featuring speaker Alan Nishio was held at El Retiro Park in Torrance.
• GLAS JACL Announces Awardees, page 4. The Greater Los Angeles Singles JACL selected four college-bound students from single-parent families to receive scholarships, including the GLAS Hana Uno Shepard scholarships and awards in memory of Edwin Okahata. All recipients will also receive JACL student memberships.
• Kee Kitayama Memorial Scholarship Recipients Announced, page 4. Five students from the Watsonville-Santa Cruz area were named recipients of the 2002 Kee Kitayama Memorial Scholarship, each receiving $1,000 funded by several memorial foundations and community events. The winners are pursuing degrees ranging from computer science to sports medicine at various universities.
• East Bay Living History Project Explores Immigration Stories, page 4. A workshop in the East Bay Living History Project’s series featured community members sharing immigration stories and experiences of discrimination, moderated by UC Berkeley professor Jere Takahashi. Organizers hope the series builds local oral histories and deepens understanding of Asian American community history.
• J-Towns Feature Continued: Little Tokyo, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, by Martha Nakagawa, page 5. This continuation details the specific struggles facing historic Japantowns and Chinatowns nationwide, from San Francisco’s Japantown Bowl closure to Seattle’s International District facing gentrification pressures from new stadium and office construction. It also covers New York’s Chinatown recovering from 9/11 economic impacts and Philadelphia’s Chinatown fighting encroachment from development projects.
• Tule Lake Registration Deadline Aug. 1, page 6. The Eighth Biennial Tule Lake Gathering will be held Sept. 6-8 in Sacramento, featuring educational forums, panel discussions on internment, and a display of camp artifacts in partnership with CSU Sacramento. The event includes a golf tournament, bus trip to Reno, arts and crafts fair, and traditional Saturday dinner with entertainment.
• Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 Honors JAs Killed in Action During WWII, page 6. On July 4, the Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 of Sacaton, Ariz., honored Japanese American soldiers killed in WWII with a wreath ceremony and rifle salute at the Gila River Relocation Center memorial. Similar tribute ceremonies were held at monument sites across the Gila River Indian Community honoring veterans of multiple wars.

Sports

• Ishii Helps Dodgers Stay Half Game Atop West, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Rookie pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii held the Arizona Diamondbacks to two hits over 7 2/3 shutout innings, helping the Dodgers win 2-1 and maintain their division lead. Ishii credited his experience pitching in high-pressure Japan Series games for his composure in big moments.
• AYSO Brings National Games to Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The American Youth Soccer Organization brought its National Games to Hawaii for the first time, drawing close to 200 teams and 6,000 visitors with an economic impact estimated up to $8.2 million. The tournament, the largest since it began in 1988, was made possible by years of lobbying and the completion of the Waipio Soccer Complex.
• Fair Sisters Face Off as Philadelphia Defeats New York, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Twin sisters Lorrie and Ronnie Fair faced off as their respective teams, the Philadelphia Charge and New York Power, played on July 7, with Philadelphia winning 3-1. The Fair sisters, who are half Chinese American, are from Los Altos, California.
• Soldati Grabs Silver, by P.C. Staff, page 9. U.S. diver Kimiko Hirai Soldati won a silver medal in the 10-meter individual platform event at the World Cup Diving Competition in Seville, Spain. She also placed sixth in the 3-meter individual event and fourth and fifth in synchronized diving events.
• Yamasaki Sees Little Playing Time, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Miami Sol rookie forward Lindsey Yamasaki, out of Stanford, has seen limited playing time off the bench despite being activated from the injured list. In three earlier appearances this season, she averaged 9.3 points per game with strong shooting percentages.

Arts & Entertainment

• New York AA Film Festival Kicks Off July 19, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The 25th Asian American International Film Festival runs July 19-27 at the Asia Society and Museum in New York, featuring over 120 films including blockbusters, art-house films, and directorial debuts. Highlighted films include ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ star Zhang Ziyi’s ‘The Warrior’ and ‘Shaolin Soccer.’
• New Play Opens Dialogue for JA Women, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Leslie Kitashima-Gray’s new play ‘Reds, Whites, and Blues,’ about two Japanese American women who reconnect at a hotel, opens Aug. 1 at the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club. Performances are limited to small audiences who also receive a tour of the club, the first private club in L.A. with a non-discrimination policy.

Obituaries

• Obituaries, page 11. This section lists detailed obituaries for numerous Japanese American community members who passed away in June and July 2002, including WWII veterans, internment camp survivors, and longtime community figures. Notable entries include labor activist Janice Sakamoto, who helped organize Commission on Wartime Relocation hearings, and Frank Osmer, a decorated veteran who aided JA internees as Watsonville police chief.

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