Vol. 149, No. 1, July 3, 2009. 16 pages. View this issue
JACL’s place in national policy ran through the 16 pages of this issue. National Director Floyd Mori wrote about the organization’s increased access to the Obama White House and Congress. JACL and other Asian Pacific American groups called on Congress to pass the DREAM Act, and praised the Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision to preserve Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. John Tateishi’s column looked back at the Ehren Watada case and Prop. 8, while Leslie K. Tamura reported on the fight against a proposed feedlot near Minidoka.
Elsewhere, Nalea J. Ko covered San Francisco’s Japantown merchants and their push for more time before redevelopment. Inside are a call for Heart Mountain memorabilia, a Manzanar School reunion built around the Children’s Village, Lynda Lin’s profile of a documentary on actor Jack Soo, and Brandon Mita’s tribute to Judge Sandra Otaka.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- JACL is at the Table in D.C., by Floyd Mori, page 2. National Director Floyd Mori describes JACL’s increased access and involvement with the Obama White House and Congress on issues affecting AAPI communities. He notes the administration’s substantive engagement with AAPI leaders while cautioning that vetting and political processes still create delays and anxiety.
Commentary
- P.C. is Only Connection to Other APA Communities, by Aya Medrud, page 2. A reader from Boulder, Colo. writes to praise the Pacific Citizen for its relevant and well-written coverage, particularly an article on Depression-era APA survivor stories. She notes that for some Japanese Americans, the paper may be their only connection to broader APA communities.
- Re: Prop. 8 Decision, by Leo H. Hosoda, page 2. A reader from Roseville, CA responds to a prior article about same-sex couples after the Prop. 8 decision, suggesting the term ‘marriage’ be reserved for heterosexual unions. He proposes using an alternative term like ‘same sex union’ that would still confer equal legal benefits.
- Voices for the Record: Reflections on Watada and Prop. 8, by John Tateishi, page 8. Former JACL national director John Tateishi reflects on two contentious issues for JACL members: the Ehren Watada court-martial case and the Prop. 8 same-sex marriage ban. He argues both cases reflect broader societal shifts and hopes JACL continues engaging in difficult moral debates.
- Identity Neurosis, by Yumi Sakugawa, page 8. Columnist Yumi Sakugawa explores the tension APA artists face between personal identity and creative freedom, using the film ‘Amreeka’ and works by Amy Tan and Adrian Tomine as examples. She celebrates films that portray cultural identity authentically without being didactic or stereotypical.
- Remembering Judge Sandra Otaka, by Brandon Mita, page 15. JACL national youth representative Brandon Mita pays tribute to Judge Sandra Otaka, the first Asian American elected to the Circuit Court bench in Cook County, who passed away June 6. He recalls her mentorship and community activism, including her support for Asian American Studies advocacy at UIC.
National
- Preservationists Continue to Resist Feedlot Near Minidoka, by Leslie K. Tamura, page 3. A coalition including the JACL is fighting a proposed 13,000-animal feedlot near the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho, citing environmental, health, and cultural concerns. Litigation has been ongoing for three years, with attorneys now working to supplement the legal record and raise money for continued legal expenses.
- Calif. Legislator Seeks Redress For Chinese Immigrants, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 5. California Assemblyman Paul Fong has introduced a resolution seeking a formal apology for historical mistreatment of Chinese immigrants, including discriminatory laws and violence. He also plans to seek a federal apology and possible reparations, such as funding for the Angel Island Immigration Station.
- JACL, APA Groups Say High Court’s Decision to Preserve Voting Rights Act is Vital, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. The Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision preserving Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was praised by JACL and other APA organizations as vital to protecting minority voting rights. The court avoided ruling on the constitutionality of the provision, though critics say future challenges may fare differently.
- National Newsbytes, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. This roundup covers multiple national stories: the husband of jailed journalist Laura Ling speaks at a San Francisco vigil, Arizona voters will decide on an anti-affirmative-action ballot measure, Guantanamo Uighur detainees resist resettlement in Palau, and the Senate apologizes for slavery and segregation in the U.S.
- Iowa School District Agrees to New English Language Classification Policy, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 7. Storm Lake School District in Iowa has reclassified student Lori Phanachone as English proficient and adopted a new ELL policy after she protested her misclassification. JACL and AALDEF praised the resolution, which restores her honors and will be applied retroactively to other misclassified students.
- High Court Calls for a New Look at Arizona’s English Program, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Arizona is entitled to a new legal review of its English language learner program, potentially lifting court-ordered oversight. JACL had joined an amicus brief in the case, drawing parallels between ELL students today and the Issei generation’s language barriers.
- APA Groups Call On Congress to Pass DREAM Act, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 10. Asian Pacific American organizations, along with JACL, are urging Congress to pass the DREAM Act to help undocumented students pursue higher education and a path to citizenship. Students nationwide staged mock graduation ceremonies to highlight the plight of roughly 65,000 undocumented high school graduates annually.
- Native Hawaiian Bill Gets New Airing, by Kevin Freking, page 10. A House panel reviewed a bill that would allow Native Hawaiians to form their own government, similar to American Indian tribes, with President Obama’s support boosting its chances. Critics argue the move lacks legal precedent and could be ruled unconstitutional, while supporters cite historical indigenous recognition claims.
Community
- S.F. Japantown Merchants Gain Time Before Redevelopment, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. San Francisco’s Japantown merchants and community members are pushing back against a Better Neighborhood Plan that could raise rents and alter the historic character of the area. The Planning Commission voted not to endorse the plan, giving the community more time to weigh in before any redevelopment proceeds.
- In the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 7. This roundup covers community achievements including Sequoia JACL’s scholarship recipients, comic creator Larry Hama’s upcoming award, Naomi Hirahara’s literary honor, East West Players’ Tim Dang receiving a James Irvine Foundation award, and the confirmations of APA judges and officials Florence Pan and Harold Koh.
- APA Group Wants Outstanding Woman Nominations, page 11. ASPIRE, a Boston-based organization empowering Asian Pacific American girls, is seeking nominations for its Outstanding Woman of the Year award. The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the AAWIL Conference in Boston and be featured on ASPIRE’s website.
- Recognition Near for WWII WASP Pilots, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 11. Maggie Gee and about 300 surviving Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) may soon receive the Congressional Gold Medal after both House and Senate passed recognition legislation. The WASPs flew critical stateside missions during WWII despite facing danger, with 38 women killed in service.
- Call Issued for Heart Mountain Memorabilia, page 12. The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation is calling for donations of memorabilia from former internees to build its archival collection for the site’s Interpretive Learning Center. A Collection Day and Progress Party on Aug. 15 will feature former internees Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson, who met as Boy Scouts at the camp.
- Young Historian is Seeking Autographs, Memorabilia from APA Veterans, page 12. Ohio high school student Kyle Nappi, who has collected autographs and stories from over 2,000 veterans worldwide, is now seeking to document Asian Pacific American veterans of all wars. He has turned his bedroom into a museum of military memorabilia and hopes to pursue a career as a military historian.
Arts & Entertainment
- Public Defender By Day, Filmmaker By Night, by Lynda Lin, page 9. San Francisco public defender Jeff Adachi made a documentary, ‘You Don’t Know Jack,’ about the pioneering Nisei actor Jack Soo, born Goro Suzuki, who broke barriers in Hollywood and Motown. The film explores Soo’s internment experience and how he adopted a new name to avoid backlash performing during WWII.
In-Depth
- Manzanar School Reunion to Feature Children’s Village, page 13. The upcoming Manzanar School reunion will spotlight the stories of orphaned children held at the camp’s Children’s Village, featuring speakers including author Dr. Catherine Irwin. The Village housed over 100 children in specially built facilities near the camp hospital.
Obituaries
- Minneapolis Cemetery Looks to Attract AA Families, by Associated Press, page 15. A Minneapolis cemetery has developed a new burial section called the Garden of Eternal Peace, designed according to feng shui principles to attract Asian American families. Industry experts say such culturally tailored offerings reflect a broader business trend of cemeteries adapting to immigrant communities’ needs.
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