Vol. 149, No. 6, September 18, 2009. 16 pages. View this issue
Young Asian Americans took the lead in this 16-page youth issue. Nalea J. Ko reported on undocumented students who support the DREAM Act, which would offer a conditional path to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. as minors, and on chess grand master Hikaru Nakamura, 21. Wong Fu Productions, the filmmaking trio of Philip Wang, Ted Fu and Wesley Chan, answered questions sent in by JACL and APA youth, with the Q&A running onto page 16.
Three pages carry the 2009 National JACL Scholarship winners, 24 awards totaling $59,000, with excerpts from their essays on making JACL more relevant to young people. Two columns look at identity and growing up: Harry K. Honda wrote on Nikkei communities across the Americas, and Peter Shigeki Frandsen offered three keys to adulthood.
What’s in this issue
National
- Asian Americans Continue to Rally for Passage of a DREAM Act, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. The article profiles undocumented young people like Jong-Min and Wendy who support the DREAM Act, which would provide a conditional path to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. as minors. It explores arguments from both supporters, who say the law prevents punishing children for their parents’ actions, and opponents like FAIR who call it an amnesty that rewards lawbreakers.
Arts & Entertainment
- Wong Fu Productions: Dreaming of a Brighter Future, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. Philip Wang, Ted Fu and Wesley Chan of Wong Fu Productions answer questions submitted by JACL and APA youth about their filmmaking career, identity, and influences. The trio discusses their origins, achievements including the Cannes Film Festival, and their approach to representing Asian Pacific Americans in media.
- Wong Fu Productions Answers More Fan Questions, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 16. In the continuation of their fan Q&A, Wong Fu Productions discusses their full-time commitment to filmmaking, their T-shirt brand, and their approach to APA representation in media. They address questions about working with actors, engaging with APA community issues, and being conscious of their influence on younger APA audiences.
Sports
- No Fear Chess, by Nalea J. Ko, page 5. Grand master Hikaru Nakamura, 21, discusses his rise in professional chess, including breaking Bobby Fischer’s record as youngest American grand master at age 15. The article covers his family background, playing style, recent U.S. Chess Championship win, and the personal sacrifices of a life devoted to competitive chess.
Commentary
- Nikkei Identity Across the Americas, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Harry Honda reflects on Japanese immigrant communities throughout the Americas, including Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, drawing on decades of visits and historical research. He argues for a North-South dimension of Nikkei identity to complement the traditional East-West Japan-focused perspective.
- Keys to Adulthood, by Peter Shigeki Frandsen, page 6. Columnist Peter Frandsen shares three ‘keys’ for navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood: listening to mentors, listening to yourself, and finding balance. He draws on his own experience graduating dental school and choosing a career path.
JACL
- National JACL Scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 7. National JACL announced the recipients of its 2009 scholarship program, awarding 24 scholarships totaling $59,000. The article credits the Chicago Chapter and Pacific Northwest District volunteers who evaluated applications and introduces excerpts from winning essays on making JACL more relevant to youth.
- Freshman Awards: 2009 National JACL Scholarship Winners, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This section presents excerpts from winning essays by freshman scholarship recipients including Michael Loy, Monica Sing, Justin Batcheller, Kristina Hart, Lisa Doi, David Fukunaga, Alisha Green, Caroline Chao, and Sydney Shiroyama. Each essay addresses how to make JACL more relevant to younger generations of Asian Americans.
- Undergraduate Awards: 2009 National JACL Scholarship Winners, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Undergraduate scholarship winners Matthew Teshima, Natsuma Imai, Peter Yamamura, Mallory Matsumoto, Mariko Newton, and Christine Fukushima share excerpts from their winning essays. Topics range from JACL membership strategies to personal career aspirations in architecture, medicine, and journalism.
- Graduate, Creative Arts and Performing Arts Awards: 2009 National JACL Scholarship Winners, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Graduate scholarship recipients Monica Brase, Erin Hashimoto-Martell, Patrick Tokuyama, Miki Tomaru, Brandon Mita, and Justin Otani share essay excerpts on education, psychology, law and international relations. Creative and performing arts winners Hatsumi Yoshida and Alexander Honjiyo also discuss their contributions to Japanese American cultural life and JACL involvement.
Obituaries
- Dean Yoshimasa Ishii, page 15. Dean Y. Ishii, 76, passed away on August 22, 2009, in Monterey, California, after a career as a dentist in Seaside for over 40 years. He was known for his love of fishing, community involvement with the Seaside Rotary Club, and support of local youth sports, and is survived by his mother, wife, children, and siblings.
- Hatsuko (Abe) Takechi, page 15. Mrs. Hatsuko (Abe) Takechi passed away on August 24 at age 98. Born in Stockton, California, she lived most of her life on Bacon Island, and a memorial service was held in her honor at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Stockton.
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