Vandalism in Little Tokyo and William Hung’s fame, April 2004

Vol. 138, No. 7, April 16, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

Vandalism in Little Tokyo and the debate over William Hung were the main stories of this 12-page issue. Caroline Aoyagi reported on the Asian American community’s mixed reaction to the “American Idol” castoff, with Emil Guillermo, Chris Tashima and Guy Aoki weighing in. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Aratani/Japan America Theater were defaced with symbols like those left at the Go For Broke monument, and police were investigating the vandalism as a hate crime. JACL also signed an amicus brief in the Jose Padilla case, with John Tateishi drawing parallels to the World War II incarceration.

Elsewhere, Lynda Lin asked whether Engrish.com is comedy or racism, and Mas Hashimoto wrote on same-sex marriage and equal protection. Sports pages covered Kaz Matsui’s Mets debut and K.J. Choi at the Masters. JACL news included convention registration details for Honolulu and a gathering of the NCWNP district that heard George Takei.

What’s in this issue

National

• Success of ‘American Idol’ Castoff William Hung a Mixed Bag for AA Community, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. William Hung’s viral popularity following his infamous ‘American Idol’ audition has sparked debate within the Asian American community about whether his fame reinforces racist stereotypes of Asian men. While some like Emil Guillermo and Chris Tashima see troubling racial undertones in his embrace by mainstream America, others including fans and columnist Guy Aoki view his success more positively as an authentic, uncynical phenomenon.
• Muslim Chaplain Cleared by Army, Comes Home, by Melanthia Mitchell, Associated Press Writer, page 3. Army chaplain Capt. James Yee, once suspected of espionage at Guantanamo Bay, has returned home to Washington state after the Army dropped most criminal charges against him. His lawyer is seeking a formal apology and restoration to duty, saying Yee has not yet received a fair resolution despite the dismissal of major charges.
• JA Cultural Center, Theater Defaced with Similar Symbols as Go for Broke Vandalism, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 3. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Aratani/Japan America Theater were vandalized with symbols similar to those found on the Go For Broke monument, marking the fourth related incident in six weeks. Police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime, and city officials have proposed a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
• Retired Army Chief Honored at Army Museum, by Associated Press, page 3. Retired Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki was honored with a permanent exhibit at the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii, celebrating his career as the first Hawaii native and Asian American to become a four-star general. Colleagues praised him as an inspiration to Army leaders and a role model for Hawaii’s youth.
• NPS Announces $100,000 to Complete Study of Eagledale Ferry Dock, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 3. The National Park Service announced additional funding to complete a study of the Eagledale Ferry Dock Site on Bainbridge Island, where Japanese Americans were forced to board ferries during WWII evacuation. The funding, supported by Washington lawmakers, aims to move toward creating a memorial and park honoring this history.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. This roundup covers a limited-edition MacArthur action figure released 60 years after his famous ‘I shall return’ declaration, and new support services for incoming Hmong refugees in St. Paul. It also reports Vishakha Desai’s historic appointment as the first woman and Asian American president of the Asia Society, and a federal judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit against Omaha’s affirmative action plan.
• ACLU Sues Gov’t Over ‘No Fly’ List That Bars Travelers, by Leslie Miller, Associated Press Writer, page 4. The ACLU filed a class-action lawsuit challenging the government’s ‘no fly’ list, arguing that innocent travelers are wrongly barred from flying and have no reliable way to clear their names. The suit represents seven plaintiffs including a retired minister, a college student, and a member of the military.
• Poll: Voters Support Affirmative Action Ban, But It’s Confusing, by Associated Press, page 4. A poll found that most Michigan voters support banning affirmative action at public institutions when read the ballot language, though confusion persists about the goals of the group behind the initiative, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. The proposal follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2003 ruling on the University of Michigan’s affirmative action policies.
• Carrier Settles Discrimination Charges, by Associated Press, page 4. Continental Airlines settled with the government over allegations it discriminated against travelers of Arab, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent following the Sept. 11 attacks. The airline agreed to provide civil rights training to pilots and crew, marking the third such settlement involving airlines after similar cases with United and American Airlines.
• Police Reveal Claremont Professor’s Criminal Past, by Associated Press, page 4. Claremont McKenna Visiting Professor Kerri Dunn, suspected of staging her own hate crime by vandalizing her own car, was revealed to have a criminal record including shoplifting and driving without a license. The revelation has undermined sympathy for Dunn after witnesses identified her as the vandal in what was initially called the city’s worst hate crime.

Commentary

• Our Lifeline, by Maya Yamazaki, page 1. A JACL Youth Board member reflects on feeling like an outsider while living in Havana as an Asian woman, and discovers the Kwong Wah Po newspaper serves as a lifeline for the local Asian community there. She draws a parallel to the Pacific Citizen, urging readers to support the paper financially so it can continue serving as a vital voice for the Japanese American community.
• Engrish.com: Comedy or Racism?, by Lynda Lin, page 1. A popular website called Engrish.com collects photos of poorly translated Japanese English from around the world, sparking debate over whether the content is harmless humor or racist mockery. While some viewers, including Japanese nationals, find the site funny, critics like JACL’s John Tateishi and academic Aaron Lorenz argue it demeans people through cultural and linguistic ridicule.
• Why Young People Aren’t Voting, by Paul Goshi, page 5. A recent UC Berkeley graduate argues that declining youth voter turnout reflects growing ambivalence rather than pure apathy, rooted in a belief that voting doesn’t lead to real change. He points to lack of governmental accountability, from the Iraq War to fiscal policy, as fueling disillusionment among young voters.
• Same-Sex Marriage: Equal Protection Under the Law, by Mas Hashimoto, page 8. The columnist draws parallels between historical discrimination against Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino Americans in marriage law and the current debate over same-sex marriage, arguing that equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment should extend to gay and lesbian citizens. He predicts that within a decade, same-sex marriages will attract little controversy as Americans become more respectful of others’ rights.
• A Good Time to Start Something New, by Alec Yoshio MacDonald, page 12. A participant reflects on the JACL/OCA Washington, D.C. Leadership Conference, describing the seminars on APA issues, practical advocacy training, and meetings with congressmen that inspired attendees to take action back home. He encourages fellow participants to apply what they learned about coalition building and community engagement to increase youth involvement in JA activities.

JACL

• JACL Signs on to Amicus Brief in ‘Dirty Bomber’ Case, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. JACL has joined an amicus brief challenging the U.S. government’s authority to indefinitely detain American citizen Jose Padilla under the Patriot Act, in the case Donald Rumsfeld vs. Jose Padilla. JACL executive director John Tateishi says the organization draws parallels between Padilla’s detention and the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans, arguing constitutional protections must be upheld even amid security concerns.
• Clarification of Convention Registration, by David Forman, page 6. The executive committee for the JACL 75th Anniversary National Convention in Honolulu clarifies what is and isn’t included in convention registration, noting that the Hawaiian Luau and Veterans Tribute & Luncheon require separate ticket purchases. Early registration deadline is May 15, with regular registration closing July 31.
• NCWNP District Gathers to Honor Their Own, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 6. More than 400 people gathered at the Blackhawk Auto Museum to celebrate JACL’s 75th anniversary and honor 30 NCWNP district members with Legacy and Hikari Awards. Keynote speaker George Takei spoke about the long history of Japanese Americans in the U.S. and the ongoing struggle to realize America’s ideals.
• JACL Credit Union Announces Campaign Winner, page 8. The Mt. Olympus JACL chapter in Salt Lake City won a Carnival Cruise for two in the JACL Credit Union’s membership drive, which raised $5,340 in matched donations for national JACL. The article lists the number of new members and donations generated by each participating chapter nationwide.
• An Invitation to Run for National JACL Office, by Larry Grant, page 8. The chair of the National Nominations Committee invites JACL members to consider running for national office, emphasizing that all current and past officers began as chapter members. The deadline for nominations is May 12, and interested members are encouraged to contact national staff or district leaders for guidelines.

Community

• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. This roundup highlights several Asian Pacific Americans’ achievements, including Coral Wong Pietsch’s appointment as chairwoman of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and Cherry Kinoshita’s Jefferson Award for her redress campaign work. Also noted are Jiro Yanase’s induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame and Walter Ozawa’s installation as chairman of the National Japanese American Veterans Council.
• NJAVC Announces Judges for MIS Essay Contest, page 5. The National Japanese American Veterans Council selected three Nikkei scholars to judge its Military Intelligence Service Occupation of Japan essay contest, seeking firsthand accounts from MIS veterans. Winners will receive monetary awards and be announced at the 61st MIS Reunion in Honolulu this August.
• Union Bank Donates to Obata Mural Acquisition, page 5. Union Bank Foundation donated $1,000 to help California State University Monterey Bay acquire a rare Chiura Obata mural originally from the Pine Dew Restaurant. The JACL Monterey chapter believes the mural will educate students about the history of Japanese Americans in the Monterey Bay region.

Sports

• Matsui Enjoys Big Debut for Mets, page 7. Rookie shortstop Kaz Matsui homered on the first major league pitch he saw, leading the New York Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in their season opener. Matsui had a perfect debut going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two walks and three RBIs.
• Kariya Out Indefinitely, page 7. Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Kariya is out indefinitely after spraining his ankle in the regular-season finale against Nashville. Kariya, who missed 31 games earlier in the season with a wrist injury, had signed with Colorado as a free agent alongside former teammate Teemu Selanne.
• No Green Jacket for Choi, page 7. K.J. Choi finished third at the Masters after making a rare eagle on the taxing 11th hole, becoming only the third player in tournament history to do so. Despite the strong finish, Choi’s result was overshadowed by the Phil Mickelson-Ernie Els duel at the top of the leaderboard.
• Where is Wie Going, and How Long Will it Take to Get There?, page 7. Teen golf phenom Michelle Wie continues to compete against top LPGA players while remaining an amateur and ninth-grade student in Honolulu, recently finishing fourth at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Her father says she is interested in attending college, possibly Stanford, before considering turning professional.
• NBA Wants to Turn Yao Ming Admirers Into Full-fledged Fans, page 7. NBA teams are working to convert the massive Asian American fan turnout for Yao Ming games into loyal fans of their home franchises, with 18 teams hosting Asian-theme nights this season. Yao’s popularity has made him a marketing icon and cultural touchstone, though building lasting fan bases beyond his games remains a challenge for teams like the Warriors and Sonics.

Arts & Entertainment

• Woman on the Verge, by Lynda Lin, page 9. Actress Annie Lee discusses her role in ‘Close Call,’ a film written and directed by her father Jimmy Lee, in which she plays a rebellious young woman drifting through broken relationships, raves, and self-destructive behavior. Lee reflects on the challenges of filming intense scenes with her father and addresses questions about whether the film reinforces stereotypes about Asian American identity and relationships.

Obituaries

• Ben Tamashiro of Bank of Hawaii Commercial Fame Dies, by Associated Press, page 11. Ben H. Tamashiro, famous for portraying ‘Harry’ alongside his wife in beloved Bank of Hawaii television commercials, died at age 86. A WWII veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion who was wounded in action, he also served as the unit’s historian and wrote words for a WWII memorial in Little Tokyo.

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