JACL’s deficit, its name, and the DREAM Act, November 2010

Vol. 151, No. 10, November 19, 2010. 16 pages. View this issue

A projected deficit and a debate over the JACL’s name ran through this 16-page issue. Nalea J. Ko reported that the national board faced a $44,436 shortfall expected to grow to $91,715 by year’s end, with membership growth named as the main remedy. On the commentary page, Floyd Mori, Dr. Frank Sakamoto and Roy M. Takeuchi weighed whether the organization should change its name, while Satsuki Ina objected to a comparison involving the “No-No Boys.” Brianna Pang reported that the DREAM Act failed again in the House, leaving students such as Steve Li in legal limbo.

Other pages covered Wendy Maruyama’s Tag Project, which recreates the 120,000 identification tags worn during the World War II incarceration (often called internment). The 2011 JACL scholarship program opened, and a bronze monument to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Battalion was being funded in Roseville. An obituary remembered William Hohri, a Manzanar inmate and redress plaintiff.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• JACL Name Change, by Floyd Mori, page 2. Floyd Mori responds to a letter about changing the JACL’s name, noting that other organizations like NAACP and OCA no longer use their full names. He argues a name change isn’t necessary but the JACL should do a better job of inviting people and increasing membership.
• Keep JACL Acronym, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 2. Dr. Frank Sakamoto agrees with former JACL president Helen Kawagoe that the organization should keep its initials JACL. He believes everyone can still join under the current name.
• Acronym Changes, by Roy M. Takeuchi, page 2. Roy Takeuchi responds to Floyd Mori’s column on name changes, suggesting alternatives like ‘American Japanese’ or ‘AJCL’ to reflect Americans-first identity. He argues such changes could attract a more diverse membership despite being difficult.
• A Misquote?, by Satsuki Ina, page 2. Satsuki Ina, incarcerated at Amache during WWII, objects to a New York JACL president’s comparison of Muslim extremists to Japanese American ‘No-No Boys’ in a previous Pacific Citizen article. She calls the comparison a shocking and damaging invective that historically divides the community and demonizes protestors who stood up for their rights.
• Please Give Generously, by David H. Kawamoto, page 5. JACL National President David Kawamoto appeals to members to donate generously during the upcoming Annual Giving campaign amid rising costs and a diminished staff. He asks members to consider increasing their tax-deductible contributions to support the organization’s continued work.
• That Darn Old Number Two, by John Tateishi, page 8. John Tateishi reflects on the Bill of Rights and Constitution, praising all amendments except the Second Amendment, which he argues has led to an absurd proliferation of gun deaths in America compared to other nations. He contrasts America’s promise of freedom for immigrants with the ongoing prevalence of gun violence.
• Elections Roundup, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda reviews the 2010 midterm elections across multiple states, covering House races, redistricting battles, Asian American judicial candidates in California, and Hawaii-related political news. He notes Sen. Dan Inouye’s re-election to an eighth term and highlights key ballot measures including San Francisco’s Prop B and California’s redistricting propositions.
• Ending Discrimination in the Workplace, by Greg Matsunami, page 12. Greg Matsunami reflects on the anniversary of Manzanar’s closing to draw parallels between the injustice faced by Japanese Americans during WWII and ongoing legal workplace discrimination against LGBT individuals. He urges the JACL community to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), noting that in most states it remains legal to fire someone for being gay or transgender.
• Using the Right Words to Describe the Nikkei WWII Experience, by Mako Nakagawa, page 13. Mako Nakagawa reports on progress since the JACL’s Power of Words resolution passed at the national convention, including meetings with the American Jewish Committee, conferences at JANM, and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signing of the Korematsu Bill. She calls for continued efforts to use accurate terminology like ‘concentration camps’ rather than euphemisms when describing the WWII incarceration experience.

National

• The Transformation, by Floyd Mori, page 2. Floyd Mori reflects on attending Walmart’s ‘Stakeholder Summit’ and observes the company’s genuine shift toward diversity and cultural sensitivity, despite gaps in addressing the AAPI community specifically. He draws a parallel to JACL, arguing the organization must reorganize and retool to survive by embracing diversity and new leadership ideas rather than becoming obsolete like Woolworth or Montgomery Ward.
• Asian American Youth, Leaders Urge a Stop to School Bullying, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. In the wake of several teen suicides linked to anti-gay bullying, Asian American LGBT advocates and youth are creating YouTube videos and organizing panels to address bullying in schools. Advocates emphasize that students need support and resources now, not just hope for a better future, while also urging the APA community to overcome stigma around discussing LGBT issues.
• Dreams Lost: APA Students in Limbo as DREAM Act Dies Again, by Brianna Pang, page 6. The DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to residency for undocumented minors, was again defeated in the House, leaving APA students like Steve Li, Ju, and Jong-Min in legal limbo. Li received a temporary reprieve from deportation to Peru through Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s intervention, while others continue living without legal status, unable to work legally or obtain driver’s licenses.
• Sansei Lawmaker Serves the U.S. Abroad, Hawaii at Home, by Christine McFadden, page 7. Hawaii State Rep. Mark Takai, a Sansei, temporarily left his legislative seat in 2009 to serve seven months in Kuwait with the National Guard before returning to continue his political career and advocacy for military families. Takai has created programs like the Hawaii Medal of Honor and a nonprofit supporting military families, and says he would deploy again if called.
• Hearing Starts Over Arizona Immigration Law, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 10. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments over Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law, appearing ready to strike down the provision criminalizing failure to carry immigration papers. The JACL and other Asian Pacific American groups filed briefs opposing the law, which JACL national director Floyd Mori compared to WWII treatment of Japanese Americans.
• Hawaii Positioned to Pass Same-Sex Civil Unions, by Mark Niesse, page 11. Hawaii’s 2010 elections retained Democratic legislative majorities and elected a pro-gay rights governor, positioning the state to pass a same-sex civil unions law after a similar bill was vetoed earlier in the year. Advocates say the election results indicate strong support for the legislation to succeed in the upcoming session.
• Korematsu Center Joins Amicus Brief in Support of Marriage Equality, page 11. Seattle University’s Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality joined an amicus brief supporting marriage equality in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The brief argues that Proposition 8 should face heightened judicial review because gay and lesbian individuals face discrimination similar to other protected minority groups.

In-Depth

• ‘Tag Project’ Exhibit Connects Generations with WWII Internment History, by Christine McFadden, page 3. Artist Wendy Maruyama, inspired by her family’s WWII incarceration history, is recreating all 120,000 identification tags worn by Japanese American internees as an art installation called the ‘Tag Project.’ The project has brought together volunteers across generations, sparked dialogue about the incarceration, and traveled to venues nationwide with support from a $25,000 California Civil Liberties grant.

JACL

• JACL Membership Increase Needed to Help Repair Deficit, by Nalea J. Ko, page 5. The JACL national board met to address a $44,436 budget deficit projected to grow to $91,715 by year’s end, with membership growth identified as the primary solution. Board members debated options including staff furloughs, borrowing from investments, and an Annual Giving campaign, while National President David Kawamoto called staff cuts unacceptable.
• National JACL Kicks Off 2011 Scholarship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The National JACL announced its 2011 Scholarship Program, offering approximately 30 scholarships totaling over $60,000 for students ranging from incoming freshmen to graduate and law students. Applications require JACL membership, with different deadlines and submission addresses depending on scholarship category.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘The Biggest Loser’ Chinese American Contestant Gives the Inside Skinny, by Nalea J. Ko, page 9. Chinese American contestant Ada Wong discusses her weight loss journey on NBC’s ‘The Biggest Loser,’ having shed 54 pounds by her seventh week, and opens up about childhood trauma including witnessing her brother’s drowning and dealing with family criticism over her weight. Wong says the show has helped her build confidence and heal her relationship with her parents.

Community

• Twin Cities JACL Receives Grant, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Twin Cities JACL Education Committee received a $4,500 grant from the Ishida-Winifred Foundation to train a new generation of speakers on the Japanese American WWII experience. The funding addresses the dwindling number of Nisei speakers by training Sansei, Yonsei, and Gosei generations to give presentations on the incarceration and Military Intelligence Service Language School.
• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. This roundup covers several notable APA achievements: Seattle honors Al Sugiyama for his community work, Navy officer David M. Boone is promoted to rear admiral, Leslie Toy is named JACL’s Mineta Fellow, Elisabeth Mineta is appointed to a Monterey County judgeship, Tani Ikeda is named a Utne Reader Visionary, and Jean Quan becomes Oakland’s first APA woman mayor.
• JACL Chapters Raising Funds to Honor World War II Generation, page 13. JACL chapters from Placer County, Sacramento, and Florin are raising funds for a bronze monument in Roseville, Calif., honoring the 442nd RCT, 100th Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service. Half of the $160,000 fundraising goal has been reached, with the sculpture depicting the rescue of the Lost Battalion set for completion next spring.
• ARC Acquires Wakamatsu Colony, page 16. The American River Conservancy purchased the 272-acre Gold Hill Ranch site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony for $3.2 million, the first Japanese colony in North America established in 1869. Plans include creating a public park protecting the gravesite of Okei Ito, a memorial garden, and a demonstration farm showcasing Japanese American agricultural contributions.
• California Civil Liberties Public Education Program Grant Priorities Announced, page 16. The California Civil Liberties Public Education Program announced funding priorities for fiscal year 2010-11, with first priority given to gathering first-person Japanese American WWII internment accounts. A total of $450,000 is available with a maximum grant of $25,000, and applications are due Jan. 21, 2011.

Obituaries

• William Hohri, Redress Plaintiff, Dies at 83, page 15. William Minoru Hohri, a former Manzanar inmate and lead plaintiff in the National Council for Japanese American Redress class action lawsuit seeking $27 billion in reparations, died on Nov. 12 at age 83. Though the lawsuit was dismissed on technical grounds, many believe it influenced Congress to pass the Redress bill, and Hohri also authored the book ‘Resistance’ about the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee.
• Edward Ayao Endow, page 15. Edward ‘Ed’ Endow passed away on October 13, 2010 in Stockton at age 95, survived by his wife Bernice and four sons. A pharmacist who served in the U.S. Army and was later sent to Rohwer, Arkansas internment camp, he ran Parkwoods Pharmacy in Stockton for decades and was an active supporter of the JACL and University of the Pacific.
• Yemiko Maruyama, page 15. Yemiko Maruyama, 84, of El Cerrito, Calif., passed away on October 5, 2010. She was Oakland-born and is survived by brothers Masami and Michael, sister Mitzi, and other family members.

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.