Redress at 20, a Supreme Court ruling and the ‘Coroner to the Stars’

Vol. 146, No. 11, June 20, 2008. 16 pages. View this issue

Dr. Thomas Noguchi, L.A. County’s chief medical examiner from 1967 to 1982, was the cover story, with Lynda Lin tracing his career and the racial obstacles he faced. The JACL applauded the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling restoring habeas corpus rights to Guantanamo Bay detainees, comparing it to the World War II incarceration (often called internment). On the 20th anniversary of redress, Caroline Aoyagi-Stom reported that Japanese Latin American internees such as Art Shibayama were still seeking an apology and reparations after the Civil Liberties Act left them out.

Elsewhere, a University of Denver field school planned to dig at Amache, and Friends of Minidoka pushed for statewide Idaho teaching on the camps. Lynda Lin spoke with the makers of a documentary on Vincent Chin, and Harry Honda revisited the Loving case and Bill Marutani’s role in it. Convention coverage included the JACL’s Japanese Americans of the Biennium awards and a Salt Lake City guide with a Topaz camp tour.

What’s in this issue

Community

• In L.A., He Was the ‘Coroner to the Stars’, by Lynda Lin, page 1. Dr. Thomas Noguchi, chief medical examiner for L.A. County from 1967-1982, reflects on his career handling the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Robert F. Kennedy and others. The article recounts his rise as the first Japanese American in the role, the racial obstacles he faced, and his eventual demotions and legacy.
• Salt Lake City Tourist Hot Spots, by Kathy Aoki, Special to the Pacific Citizen, page 7. A guide to tourist attractions for JACL convention attendees visiting Salt Lake City, including Snowbird’s Aerial Tram, Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candies, Clark Planetarium, and Park City. The article also details optional convention tours such as the Topaz Camp Tour and a Great Salt Lake excursion.

JACL

• JACL Applauds Supreme Court Decision to Restore Detainees’ Right to Habeas Corpus, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 1. The JACL praised the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling restoring habeas corpus rights to Guantanamo Bay detainees, comparing the erosion of due process rights to the WWII internment of Japanese Americans. The article details the legal background, dissenting opinions, and reactions from civil rights groups.
• JACL Names JAs of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Tetsuden Kashima and Hon. Dale Ikeda will be honored with the JACL’s Japanese Americans of the Biennium awards at the Salt Lake City convention. The awards recognize their contributions to preserving Japanese American history and public service.

National

• On the 20th Anniversary of Redress, JLAs are Still Fighting for Justice, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 1. As Japanese Americans mark the 20th anniversary of redress legislation, Japanese Latin American internees like Art Shibayama continue to fight for an apology and reparations. An upcoming Congressional hearing in July offers hope for a resolution to their decades-long struggle.
• Report: Model Minority Myth Hides APA Academic Trouble Spots, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 3. A new report titled ‘Facts, Not Fiction’ reveals that while APAs overall show high educational attainment, certain subgroups like Hmong, Cambodian, and Laotian Americans have much lower rates of achievement. Lawmakers and researchers warn that the model minority myth obscures these disparities and the need for targeted support.
• Racial Balance is Long Gone in Seattle Schools, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 3. Nearly three decades after Seattle schools integrated through busing, the district has slowly resegregated due to housing patterns and a Supreme Court ruling limiting race-based school assignments. Educators and community members discuss the challenges of fostering diversity without mandated busing.
• Minidoka Group Pushes for Statewide Internment Education, by Jessie Bonner, Associated Press Writer, page 3. The Friends of Minidoka nonprofit is advocating for a statewide Idaho curriculum on Japanese American internment history, modeled after a similar program in Washington state. Former internees and educators stress the importance of teaching this history to prevent future injustices.
• Education Officials Investigate Alleged APA Bias at Princeton, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. The U.S. Education Department has broadened its investigation into whether Princeton University discriminates against Asian Pacific American applicants, following a complaint filed by rejected applicant Jian Li. The case has fueled wider debate over admissions practices at elite universities.
• Victims of World War II Share Stories of Loss, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Former Japanese American internees and Holocaust survivors shared personal stories at the second ‘Gathering of Friends’ event in San Jose. Organizers emphasized sharing rather than comparing the two historic tragedies.
• Honolulu Councilman Under Fire for Slur, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Honolulu City Councilman Rod Tam faced censure and calls for removal after using an ethnic slur against undocumented Mexican workers during a public meeting. Hispanic community leaders say Tam has refused to meet with them despite his public apology.
• Sikhs Want City’s Bias Crimes Tracked, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. New York’s Sikh community is calling on the Department of Education to track bias incidents after a Richmond Hill High School student assaulted a Sikh classmate and tried to remove his turban. Activists say harassment of Sikh students is widespread in city schools.
• JA Church Turns 100, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Seattle’s Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, a longtime religious mainstay for the Japanese American community, is celebrating its centennial this year. The church survived through the WWII internment period and will mark the milestone with a June 28 celebration.
• New Fu Manchu Restaurant is Criticized as Racist, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A new pan-Asian restaurant in Maplewood, Missouri named ‘Fu Manchu’ has drawn criticism for using the stereotypical character’s name and imagery. Critics note the character was historically portrayed by white actors in yellowface.
• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 5. This roundup covers Mariko Yamada’s Democratic nomination for California Assembly, Kiyo Matsumoto’s potential confirmation as a federal judge in New York, Doris Matsui’s appointment to a powerful House committee, John Hayashi’s Navy commissioning, and George Takei’s engagement announcement. Each brief highlights notable achievements and milestones for APA individuals.

In-Depth

• Future Archeologists Hope to Uncover Mysteries of Amache, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A University of Denver summer field school will give students and local high schoolers the chance to excavate artifacts at the former Camp Amache internment site. The project, dubbed ‘CSI: Amache,’ aims to bring internment history to life through archeology.
• JLAs Continue Fight for Redress, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 10. The article details the history of Japanese Latin American internment during WWII, including the experiences of Art Shibayama and Hector Watanabe, who were forcibly brought to the U.S. from Peru. It covers the ongoing legislative push for a commission to investigate the JLA internment and secure proper redress after they were excluded from the 1988 Civil Liberties Act.

Arts & Entertainment

• Forgotten Legacy: New Documentary Dissects the Fact That No One Knows the Name Vincent Chin, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new documentary examines why many Asian Pacific Americans today are unfamiliar with Vincent Chin, whose 1982 murder became a landmark civil rights case. The film questions the community’s connection to its own history.
• Resurrecting Vincent Chin, by Lynda Lin, page 9. Filmmakers Curtis Chin and Tony Lam discuss their documentary ‘Vincent Who?’, which examines why many young APAs today don’t know the story of Vincent Chin’s 1982 murder. The film explores the case’s legacy as a foundational moment for APA political consciousness and questions why that history has faded.

Commentary

• Keep Little Tokyo Alive for Future Generations, by Alex Harbottle, page 2. A 14-year-old Hapa reader from Arizona writes about her deep connection to Little Tokyo and her concern over its slow disappearance due to development. She urges Japanese Americans to visit and protect the neighborhood before it changes forever.
• Why is Watada Still Being Punished?, by Don Ino, page 2. A reader expresses disappointment over the U.S. Army’s continued pursuit of charges against Lt. Ehren Watada despite a federal judge’s favorable ruling. He argues that mounting evidence vindicates Watada’s stance against the Iraq War.
• The Future of JACL, by Takasumi Kojima, page 2. A letter writer reflects on JACL’s uncertain future and the need to reexamine its mission as membership and structures evolve. He emphasizes that the local chapter remains the vital point of connection between members and the organization.
• Thanks to Our Famous Cartoonist Pete Hironaka, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 2. The chair of the National 1000 Club reflects on the 60th anniversary of the club, founded at the 1948 national convention to help fund JACL’s national budget. He looks forward to seeing members at the upcoming Salt Lake City convention.
• P.C.: A Gateway to News on Engaged APA Youth, by Naomi Oren, page 2. A young Pacific Citizen editorial board member describes how the newspaper fills a gap left by mainstream media in covering APA issues and youth activism. She reflects on her own experience in student journalism and urges support for the P.C.’s Spring Campaign.
• What Does America Idolize?, by Peter Shigeki Frandsen, page 8. The columnist reflects on the massive voter turnout for ‘American Idol’ compared to political election participation, questioning what this says about American democracy and values. He connects this reflection to the JACL’s own need to engage its membership democratically to secure its future.
• The Loving Case, Bill Marutani and Hapa Identity, by Harry Honda, page 8. Harry Honda revisits the landmark Loving v. Virginia case that struck down anti-miscegenation laws, highlighting JACL attorney Bill Marutani’s role as amicus curiae before the Supreme Court. He also reflects on the recent death of Mildred Loving and connects the case to contemporary discussions of Hapa identity.

Obituaries

• Seattle Civic Leader, Ruby Chow, Dies at 87, by Associated Press, page 15. Ruby Chow, a pioneering Chinese American civic leader, restaurateur, and the first Asian American woman elected to the King County Council, died of heart failure. She was remembered as a trailblazer who helped mentor future leaders, including a young Bruce Lee who worked at her restaurant.
• Maude M. Ishida, page 15. Maude M. Ishida, 88, passed away in Sonoma, California after a life of community service including leadership roles in the PTA, JACL, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and AARP. She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter, and is survived by three daughters, a sister, brothers, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
• Mary Irene Bonzo Suzuki, page 15. Mary Irene Bonzo Suzuki, a lifelong peace activist and educator, passed away in Berkeley at age 76. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, artist Iwao Lewis Suzuki, her children, siblings, and grandchildren, with a Celebration of Life held in Berkeley.
• Fumi Kasai, page 15. Fumi Kasai died at age 91 in San Leandro surrounded by family who traveled from as far as England. She was an active member of Sycamore Church in El Cerrito for over 40 years and is remembered through donations suggested to several community charities.

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