Vol. 140, No. 1, January 14, 2005. 12 pages. View this issue
The death of Congressman Robert T. Matsui shaped this 12-page issue. The staff and the Associated Press reported that he died Jan. 1 at age 63 after 26 years in the House, and that tributes included praise for his part in passing redress legislation. Caroline Aoyagi reported that his widow, Doris Matsui, decided to run for his congressional seat, and Paul Igasaki wrote a personal column on Matsui’s legacy and the need for new political leaders.
Elsewhere, Lynda Lin wrote about racially charged T-shirts sold by a retail chain and about Locke, California, where residents gained the right to own the land under their homes. Readers also wrote in about the WWII incarceration and the 1930s Mexican Repatriation. News pages covered Chaplain James Yee’s discharge and the Katrina Leung case, and page 9 reviewed five Asian films, including Kung Fu Hustle.
What’s in this issue
National
- Doris Matsui to Run for Late Husband’s Congressional Seat, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. After the death of her husband Congressman Robert Matsui, Doris Matsui announced she will run for his congressional seat in California’s 5th District. Political observers say she is the clear favorite due to her Washington experience and name recognition, though some Democrats may still challenge her.
- Community Mourns Passing of Robert T. Matsui, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 1. Congressman Robert T. Matsui, a longtime civil rights champion and 26-year member of the House of Representatives, died Jan. 1 from complications of a bone marrow disease at age 63. Tributes poured in from national leaders praising his legacy, including his role in passing redress legislation for Japanese American internment survivors.
- Chaplain Yee Honorably Discharged, by Melanthia Mitchell, page 3. Army Capt. James Yee, a Muslim chaplain who was imprisoned for 76 days during an espionage probe before being cleared, received an honorable discharge from the Army effective Jan. 7. His attorney said Yee resigned in August after officials never apologized for his prolonged and unjustified imprisonment.
- Judge Drops Case Against Woman Accused of Being a Chinese Double Agent, by Associated Press, page 3. A federal judge dismissed all charges against Katrina Leung, a former FBI informant accused of being a Chinese double agent, citing deliberate prosecutorial misconduct. The judge found that prosecutors improperly blocked Leung’s access to a key defense witness, her former FBI handler and lover James J. Smith.
- Lawmakers Seek Membership in Democrat-only Asian Caucus, by Associated Press, page 3. Republican Assemblymen Alan Nakanishi and Van Tran are seeking admission to California’s Democrat-only Asian Pacific Islander Caucus or funding to start a rival group. Caucus Chairwoman Judy Chu said members decided in 2001 to keep the group exclusively Democratic.
- Effort to Ban Race Advances in Michigan, by Associated Press, page 8. A group led by Ward Connerly submitted over 508,000 signatures to put a constitutional amendment banning race and gender-based preferences in university admissions and government hiring on Michigan’s 2006 ballot. Opponents accuse the campaign of misleading voters about its true scope and intentions.
Commentary
- More Than Just a Fashion Statement, by Lynda Lin, page 1. A Pittsburgh man’s discovery of racially charged T-shirts at Burlington Coat Factory sparked a petition and debate over racism versus humor in retail merchandise. Companies like GI Apparel and Zephyr Headwear have faced criticism for products featuring Asian caricatures, while opinions within the APA community remain divided over whether such items are offensive or simply comedic.
- How About ‘Jpse.’ for Japanese?, by Ed Sugeno, page 2. A reader argues for standardizing the abbreviation “Jpse.” for Japanese, noting that dictionaries still list the derogatory “Jap.” as an abbreviation. He compares this to Chinese Americans’ informal use of “Chse.” as a parallel abbreviation.
- Mexican Reparations, by Aki Yoceda, page 2. A reader draws parallels between the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans and the 1930s Mexican Repatriation, in which up to two million legal immigrants and their citizen children were forcibly sent to Mexico. The writer questions why JACL and the Pacific Citizen have not addressed calls for reparations for this injustice.
- Congratulations!, by Calif. State Senator, 8th District, page 2. A California state senator congratulates the Pacific Citizen on its 75th anniversary as the national publication of the JACL. The letter praises the paper’s role in facilitating communication within the Japanese American community.
- The Legacy of Bob Matsui, by Paul Igasaki, page 3. Paul Igasaki reflects on his personal and professional relationship with the late Congressman Bob Matsui, praising his role as a pioneering Sansei leader and his work on civil rights, trade, and social security. Igasaki calls for the JA and APA community to support new political leaders to carry forward Matsui’s legacy.
- Something New for 2005: ‘Rethinking’ the European Union (EU), by Harry Honda, page 8. Harry Honda discusses a thesis by correspondent Frank H. Fukazawa on the European Union’s economic integration, the euro’s fluctuating value, and challenges facing the 25-member bloc. Fukazawa raises concerns about equal rights for new EU member states and miscalculations regarding the compatibility of former Communist countries with Western economic systems.
In-Depth
- Final Stop for Justice, by Lynda Lin, page 1. Residents of Locke, California, the last Chinese settlement in the U.S., finally gained the right to own the land beneath their homes after decades of being blocked by alien land laws. The milestone highlights ongoing efforts to repeal similar discriminatory laws still on the books in states like New Mexico and Florida.
Arts & Entertainment
- A Tale of Two Sisters, page 9. This South Korean horror film by director Ji-woon Kim tells the story of two sisters adjusting to a new stepmother in a strange house. The slow-paced, atmospheric film builds dread through unsettling imagery and a twist ending.
- Nobody Knows, page 9. Based on a true story, this film follows a boy named Akira who cares for his siblings after their mother abandons them in a Tokyo apartment. Young actor Yuya Yagira won Best Actor at Cannes for his performance in the emotionally devastating drama.
- Kung Fu Hustle, page 9. Hong Kong star Stephen Chow directs and stars in this action-comedy about a bumbling man who wants to join a notorious gang in 1940s China. The film aims to build on the success of Chow’s earlier hit “Shaolin Soccer.”
- 3-Iron, page 9. Director Kim Ki Duk’s film follows a drifter who breaks into empty homes and forms an unlikely bond with an abused married woman. The film blends themes of love and quiet menace in its unconventional narrative.
- Memoirs of a Geisha, page 9. This highly anticipated adaptation of Arthur Golden’s novel stars Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Watanabe, despite controversy over the casting of non-Japanese actors in Japanese roles. The film is set for a December 2005 release.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.