Gov. Davis and APA voters, a civil rights call, and the Topaz monument

Vol. 135, No. 3, August 2, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

California’s race for governor led the issue. As Gov. Gray Davis’ lead over Bill Simon Jr. narrowed, Martha Nakagawa reported on officials in his administration, including Lon Hatamiya and Dennis Hayashi, courting Asian Pacific American voters. JACL joined other civil rights groups in calling for the ouster of Commissioner Peter Kirsanow after his remarks about internment of Arab Americans, and John Tateishi wrote to President Bush comparing the rhetoric to the lead-up to the Japanese American incarceration.

Elsewhere, a new Topaz monument was set for dedication on Aug. 10, and the Go For Broke Educational Foundation announced a teacher workshop. Bill Marutani’s column examined the Hirabayashi decision and its link to Korematsu, while Ike Hatchimonji wrote on Imperial County’s Ordinance No. 154 and Executive Order 9066. Seven sports briefs and a review of a book on the redress campaign fill out the 12 pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Gov. Davis Seeks Support of APA Community, Possible Swing Vote, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. As his lead over Republican challenger Bill Simon Jr. narrowed, Gov. Gray Davis’ administration held a roundtable with APA media featuring top California APA officials to shore up support among Asian Pacific American voters. Officials like Lon Hatamiya and Dennis Hayashi discussed Davis’ record on APA appointments and anti-discrimination measures, and noted efforts to reach out to APA small businesses and communities affected by post-9/11 discrimination.
• JACL Joins Groups Calling for Ouster of Conservative Civil Rights Commissioner, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 1. JACL and other civil rights groups called for the removal of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights member Peter Kirsanow after he suggested the public might tolerate internment of Arab Americans following future terrorist attacks. JACL Executive Director John Tateishi wrote to President Bush comparing the rhetoric to the lead-up to Japanese American incarceration during WWII, while Kirsanow said he was merely describing likely public opinion rather than advocating internment.
• Media Coalition Gives TV Networks Low Grades for Ethnic Diversity, by Tracy Uba, page 1. A media watchdog coalition including the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition issued report cards grading TV networks poorly on ethnic diversity in programming, with CBS receiving the lowest marks. The coalition is now targeting CBS advertisers to pressure the network into improving diversity in casting, employment and development after it failed to implement recommended programs.
• API Groups Oppose California Initiative to Ban Racial and Ethnic Data, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The so-called ‘Racial Privacy Initiative,’ which would ban California state and local governments from collecting racial and ethnic data, failed to qualify for the November 2002 ballot and will likely appear in March 2004. API groups including JACL and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center oppose the measure, arguing it would hinder efforts to track health disparities, hate crimes and civil rights violations.
• Over One in 10 APIs in California are Multiracial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New Census 2000 data show that over 500,000 mixed-race Asian Pacific Islanders, or Hapas, reside in California, making the API community proportionately more multiracial than other groups. Organizations like Hapa Issues Forum and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center say the data highlight the need to better serve and include multiracial community members.
• National Newsbytes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A roundup of national news items includes a UC Davis researcher accused of embezzling research vials amid claims of ethnic bias, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono filing nomination papers for governor, and controversy in New Hampshire over the effectiveness of the state’s hate crime law. Other items cover minority women’s advancement in corporate management, New Jersey’s growing immigrant population, a Ford/SBA program to assist minority-owned dealerships, and controversy over a non-Hawaiian student’s admission to the Kamehameha Schools.

Commentary

• A Challenge, by F. Sakamoto, page 2. A letter writer from the JACL Mile-Hi chapter objects to the possible dissolution of the Mountain Plains District, calling the move heavy-handed and discouraging to members. The writer challenges other JACL chapters to match Mile-Hi’s pledge to double its membership by the next convention in Hawaii.
• Reader Enjoys Sports Section, by Randy Oka, page 2. A reader praises the Pacific Citizen’s expanded sports coverage of APA athletes like Ishii, Nomo, and Kristi Yamaguchi, noting his earlier feedback was implemented. He suggests additional coverage ideas including jockey Corey Nakatani and more diversification into Korean and Vietnamese communities.
• The Trilogy: Part Three, by Bill Marutani, page 8. In this installment of his ‘East Wind’ column, Bill Marutani analyzes the Supreme Court’s 1943 Hirabayashi decision and its role in setting up the later Korematsu ruling upholding Japanese American exclusion. He argues the Court strategically avoided ruling directly on the more egregious exclusion order by focusing on the less intrusive curfew violation, paving the way for later injustice.
• An American Buddhist’s Take on ‘Under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance, by Mas Hashimoto, page 8. The author reflects on his experience reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while imprisoned at the Poston concentration camp as a child, arguing that the addition of ‘under God’ in 1954 excluded Buddhists and violated the separation of church and state. He contends that religious freedom underlies all other American civil liberties and warns against continuing to include the phrase in the pledge.

Community

• JACL Community Briefs: Honors and Appointments, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Several Japanese Americans were recognized for achievements, including Janis Hirohama elected first vice president of the League of Women Voters, Jeanne Hong named the first Asian American judge in Maryland history, and Ron Ikejiri appointed to a Los Angeles County commission. Also honored were Judy Niizawa for 35 years of speech pathology service, Nelson Wang for winning an essay contest, and Dr. Gay Yuen Wong for her work in multicultural education.
• Topaz Monument Dedication, 60th Anniversary Event Set for Aug. 10, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A new monument will be dedicated at the Topaz War Relocation Authority camp site on Aug. 10, replacing an earlier monument destroyed by gunfire vandalism, with a full day of commemorative activities planned in Delta, Utah. The JACL Topaz Monument Committee, led by Floyd Mori, thanked donors who helped fund the new monument designed by Ted Nagata.
• Go For Broke Hosts Workshop With Teacher Who Inspired 20,000 Tassel Tapestry, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Go For Broke Educational Foundation is hosting a free teacher-training workshop featuring Leila Meyerratken, whose Indiana students created a massive quilt honoring Japanese American WWII veterans and internment survivors after initially expressing racist attitudes. The 500 students’ 19-foot by 41-foot quilt will be displayed at the Japanese American National Museum during Nisei Week.
• JA History Art Project Opens at Portland Art Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum showcases 120 years of Japanese American history in Oregon, created by the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center with over 30 panels of photographs and oral histories. The exhibit runs through Sept. 22 and is presented alongside the museum’s ‘Splendors of Imperial Japan’ exhibition.
• NJAHS Begins Studies for San Francisco’s Presidio Building 640, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National Japanese American Historical Society is conducting a feasibility study to renovate Presidio Building 640, the site of the original all-Nisei Military Intelligence Service language school, into an interpretive center. Congress has allocated $600,000 for the study’s second phase, with support from Sens. Feinstein, Boxer and Akaka and several House representatives.
• CCLPEP Director Matsuda to Speak at Topaz 2002 Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Diane Matsuda, program director of the California Civil Liberties Education Program, will be the keynote speaker at the All-Topaz Reunion Luncheon on Aug. 31 in San Francisco. Matsuda’s parents were both incarcerated during WWII, and the event will also feature toastmaster Glenn Kumekawa, a former Topaz High student body president.
• Korean War Vets to Honor Those Killed or Missing in Action, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japanese American Korean War Veterans and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii will hold a two-day tribute in Honolulu on Sept. 24-25 honoring 247 Japanese Americans killed or missing in the Korean War. The event will feature Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi ‘Hershey’ Miyamura and include a memorial service and exhibit opening.

Sports

• Wong to Make Debut With Houston, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Linebacker Kailee Wong will make his preseason debut with the expansion Houston Texans against the New York Giants at the Pro Football Hall of Fame game. The former Minnesota Viking signed a four-year, $12 million contract with Houston after leading the Vikings with 116 tackles last season.
• Morton, Fujita Join Kansas City, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Former Detroit Lion Johnnie Morton and Cal draft pick Scott Fujita joined the Kansas City Chiefs for training camp, with Morton signing a seven-year, $25.7 million contract as a top wide receiver. Fujita, whose academic and athletic achievements at Cal earned him recognition, will fill an outside linebacker role for the Chiefs.
• Park Wins Girls U.S. Junior Championship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. In-Bee Park won the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, defeating Jenny Tangtiphaiboontana 4 and 3 to become the second-youngest champion in the event’s history at 14 years old. Tangtiphaiboontana, who lost her parents in a car accident months earlier, was a crowd favorite despite the loss.
• Irabu Released From Hospital, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Texas Rangers closer Hideki Irabu was released from a Kansas City hospital five days after being diagnosed with small blood clots in his lungs. Irabu, who leads the Rangers with 16 saves, will undergo further examination by the team’s internist upon returning to Arlington.
• Makinano Selected Preseason All League, by P.C. Staff, page 7. A Nevada defensive soccer player was named to the Western Athletic Conference preseason all-league team, the only Nevada player selected. SMU senior forward Tara Comfort was named preseason WAC player of the year.
• JA Woman Becomes NFL’s First Female Trainer, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ariko Iso was named assistant athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the first female and first Japanese American full-time trainer in the NFL. Iso, a former basketball player from Tokyo, previously worked as head athletic trainer at Portland State University before this historic hire.
• Yamasaki Scores Seven in Sol Loss, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Miami Sol forward/guard Lindsey Yamasaki scored seven points off the bench in a 71-61 loss to Portland. Portland extended its winning streak at home while Miami remained tied with Orlando for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
• NBA Star Predicts Yao’s Success in Pros, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter played a friendly game with Houston Rockets draft pick Yao Ming in Beijing and predicted the Chinese center would succeed in the NBA due to his height and skills. Yao, the No. 1 overall draft pick, had not yet reported to the Rockets pending permission from his Chinese club.
• Imai Takes 200 Breaststroke, by P.C. Staff, page 7. USC’s Ryosuke Imai won the men’s 200 breaststroke at the Janet Evans Invitational with a time of 2:16.40. He finished ahead of Ratapong Sirisanont and Daniel Kiepfer of Irvine Novaquatics.

JACL

• One Great Membership Tool, by Ryan Chin, page 8. JACL Vice President for Membership Ryan Chin describes his effort to increase the frequency of chapter membership reports from quarterly to monthly, using email distribution to save costs while helping local chapters follow up on lapsed memberships. He calls for chapters to designate someone to manage email communications and personally follow up on membership renewals.

In-Depth

• Calif.’s Imperial County Ordinance No. 154, by Ike Hatchimonji, page 9. This commentary details the history of Imperial County’s Ordinance No. 154, passed the same day as Executive Order 9066, which severely restricted Japanese immigrant farmers’ land rights and criminalized assistance to them. The piece documents the resulting hardships, violence against the Nikkei community, and the difficult postwar resettlement that left Imperial Valley with a much smaller Japanese American population than before the war.

Obituaries

• Community Obituaries, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This week’s obituary listings include tributes to numerous Japanese Americans including WWII veterans, internment camp survivors, and community members who passed away in July 2002. Notable entries include Joe Itow, a 442nd RCT veteran and noted hot rod builder, and Robert Masao Sujishi, who died in Hawaii.

Arts & Entertainment

• One Bookworm: Book Reviews, by P.C. Staff, page 12. This roundup reviews several new books including Perry Miyake’s dystopian novel imagining a renewed WWII-style internment, Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla’s ‘Ode to Lata’ about a gay South Asian man in West Hollywood, and Karen Tei Yamashita’s ‘Circle K Cycles’ about Japanese Brazilian immigrants. Also featured are academic works on Taisho-era Japanese art, historic Japanese American landmarks, and a comprehensive Japan encyclopedia.
• Book on Redress Campaign Focuses on Seattle Activists, by Mako Nakagawa, page 12. Robert Shimabukuro’s book ‘Born in Seattle’ documents how Nisei Boeing engineers Henry Miyatake and Mike Nakata, frustrated by workplace mistreatment linked to wartime incarceration trauma, helped launch the Japanese American redress movement in the late 1960s. The book traces the campaign’s evolution from grassroots organizing to the legislative victory and reparations payments of the early 1990s.

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