Vol. 146, No. 1, January 18, 2008. 20 pages. View this issue
The first issue of 2008 was a message from JACL leaders to its members. National President Larry Oda, National Director Floyd Mori and several vice presidents set out the year’s plans, from the 2008 convention to awards and scholarships. Heidi Tanakatsubo described plans to mark the 20th anniversary of Redress and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and Gil Asakawa wrote about the Pacific Citizen’s role as a source of news for the community.
District governors from the Central California, Intermountain, Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific, Midwest, Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest districts each previewed their year. A staff year-in-review covered the 2007 stories that mattered to Asian Pacific Americans, including opposition to a feedlot near the Minidoka site. Kimberly Shintaku wrote as a Yonsei about family history, and Kristine Minami asked who belongs in the community. A page of memorials closed the issue.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- P.C.: A Reliable Source for APA, JACL News, by Gil Asakawa, page 2. The chair of the Pacific Citizen editorial board reflects on the newspaper’s importance as a reliable source of news for Asian Pacific Americans and the JACL community that mainstream media often ignores. He argues the P.C. needs additional staff support to expand its growing web presence while maintaining its inclusive, JACL-mission-driven coverage.
- A Broader Scope for the JACL, by Floyd Mori, page 3. The JACL national director describes the organization’s founding mission of protecting Japanese American civil rights and its current broader role defending civil rights for all Americans through coalitions like LCCR and NCAPA. He highlights ongoing advocacy issues and the urgent need to grow declining JACL membership.
- I’m Yonsei. What Does History Have to Do With Me?, by Kimberly Shintaku, page 6. The JACL national youth council chair shares her family’s internment history and encourages younger generations to document their own family stories before Nisei and Sansei elders are gone. She also promotes JACL youth programs, including the silent auction and bids for hosting the 2009 youth conference.
- Defining a Community Not by Race but a Shared Sense of Community, by Kristine Minami, page 13. The EDC governor, who is half Japanese and half Croatian American, reflects on being questioned about her ethnic identity and challenges the JA community to redefine belonging beyond racial purity. She argues that shared values and cultural interests, rather than percentage of Japanese blood, should determine community membership.
JACL
- Keeping Pace with Change, by Larry Oda, page 3. The JACL national president reviews the national board’s 2007 accomplishments, including new hires, financial audits, and website upgrades, while previewing upcoming convention issues. He discusses debates over annual conventions, a possible name change, and plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Redress in 2008.
- Kick Off Awards Season With Your Critical Picks, by Sheldon Arakaki, page 4. The JACL vice president of general operations outlines the various national awards and recognitions available to chapters and members, including the George J. Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award and the Japanese American of the Biennium award. He encourages chapters to begin considering nominees ahead of the 2008 convention deadlines.
- Keys to JACL’s Success in Our Upcoming Years, by Mark Kobayashi, page 4. The JACL national secretary/treasurer discusses the organization’s reliance on membership dues for revenue and reports on a successful 2006 financial audit. He warns of a growing $350,000 liability for future staff medical costs that the organization must address.
- Come Together as Part of a Whole, by Edwin Endow, page 5. The JACL vice president of membership uses a Sunday school lesson about the body’s many parts to illustrate how diverse member contributions strengthen the organization. He challenges members and chapters to identify and utilize individual talents to grow JACL’s community involvement.
- Looking Forward, Reflecting Back, by Carol Kawamoto, page 5. The JACL vice president for planning and development reports on the growth of the national scholarship program, including two new scholarships funded by bequests from Grace Andow and Deni Uejima. She also highlights the Washington D.C. leadership program and upcoming education committee plans for a Redress teaching module.
- The 20th Anniversary of Redress: Commemorating JACL’s Living Legacy, by Heidi Tanakatsubo, page 6. The JACL vice president of public affairs outlines plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 throughout 2008, including oral histories, teacher training modules, and recognition at the national convention. She reflects personally on the courage of the generation that fought for Redress and asks members to share their stories.
- Continue to Support JACL Youths in ’08, by Leilani Savitt, page 7. The JACL national youth representative recaps the successful 2007 National Youth Conference and outlines 2008 plans including convention youth activities, the silent auction, and the Minoru Yasui Oratorical Competition. She urges chapters to sponsor youth delegates and support fundraising efforts for youth programs.
- Looking Forward and Addressing ‘Hot Button’ Issues, by Brian Morishita, page 8. The Intermountain District Council governor discusses the district’s historic role in sustaining JACL during WWII and introduces the new district officer team. He focuses on strengthening local chapters through shared best practices and chapter president training ahead of the Salt Lake City convention.
- A Busy Year Ahead for the NCWNP District, by Alan Nishi, page 8. The Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific District governor recaps a busy 2007 including a tribute dinner for John Tateishi, a Memorial Day ceremony, the national youth conference in Santa Clara, and a Salute to Our Veterans event aboard the USS Hornet. He previews the district’s 2008 planning retreat and continued busy agenda.
- Advancing the JACL Mission, by Ron Katsuyama, page 13. The Midwest District Council governor previews 2008 plans including Day of Remembrance events marking the 20th anniversary of Redress and new youth engagement initiatives tied to an Asian American Health Coalition grant in Ohio. He also discusses campus leadership workshops, an APA curriculum guide, and an oral history archiving project.
- Celebrating Achievements and Revitalization in PSW, by Alayne Yonemoto, page 14. The Pacific Southwest District governor recaps 2007 achievements including Day of Remembrance events, a golf tournament, a Nikkei Community Day health forum, and a civil rights forum on Japanese Latin American redress. She outlines 2008 goals focused on chapter support, leadership development, and commemorating the 20th anniversary of Redress.
- PNW Forges a Strategic Plan for the Future of JACL, by Elaine Akagi, page 15. The Pacific Northwest District governor discusses the district’s Strategic Plan project aimed at understanding the needs of today’s Nikkei community and reversing declining membership. She reflects on how demographic changes, including increased out-marriage, require JACL to evolve to remain relevant to future generations.
Community
- Happy 2008!, by Bobbi Hanada, page 7. The Central California District governor previews 2008 events including a Day of Remembrance dinner honoring the Pinedale Assembly Center site with awards to Norman Mineta and others, plus a screening of ‘American Pastime.’ She also lists chapter activities like the Clovis shrimp dinner, Fresno’s Shinzen Run, and the Livingston-Merced Day of Remembrance film festival.
In-Depth
- A Look Back at This Year’s Tragedies, Triumphs and Headline Grabbers in the APA Community, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A year-in-review feature covers major 2007 APA community stories including the Virginia Tech massacre and racial profiling of Asian students, toy recalls linked to China, and APA opposition to a feedlot near the Minidoka internment site. It also covers the House resolution on Japanese wartime ‘comfort women’, immigration reform activism, and the campaign for a Nisei veterans postage stamp.
Obituaries
- Memories: We Mourn the Loss of These Leaders in 2007, by P.C. Staff, page 11. A tribute page honoring notable Japanese American community figures who died in 2007, including author Bill Hosokawa, Louisiana sheriff Harry Lee, and astronaut Daniel Tani’s mother Rose Tani. The piece also references a JACL tribute dinner for John Tateishi and the national gala dinner featuring dignitaries like Sen. Daniel Inouye and George Takei.
- Hayato Kihara, by P.C. Staff, page 17. Hayato Kihara, a research biochemist who was interned at Topaz during WWII before completing his education and career studying genetic disorders, died in Ventura on Dec. 26 at age 85. He spent decades at Pacific State Hospital researching developmental neurological disabilities and was active in Japanese American veterans’ and community affairs.
- Ira Shimasaki, by P.C. Staff, page 17. Ira Shimasaki, who was interned at Jerome, Ark. during WWII and later served in the Army in Germany, died on Dec. 10, 2007 at age 97 in Torrance. He was known for chairing the JACL Arlington Cemetery Committee for 30 years, organizing memorial services for Nisei soldiers buried there.
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