A school’s namesake, the Power of Words debate and a federal admission

Vol. 152, No. 11, June 17, 2011. 16 pages. View this issue

Emily Isakari, 14, led a project to teach students at George Y. Komure Elementary School about the Nisei veteran for whom it was named, a story by Nalea J. Ko. Komure was incarcerated at Tule Lake while serving overseas. News also covered Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal’s acknowledgment that his WWII-era predecessor Charles Fahy concealed a report while defending the Hirabayashi and Korematsu convictions. A letter from Joyce Okazaki criticized the JACL’s ‘Power of Words’ handbook, and Floyd Mori and Gary Mayeda wrote about JACL activity and the coming Hollywood national convention.

Elsewhere in the issue: the Los Angeles City Council approved a lease for the Budokan in Little Tokyo, fundraising began to bring Nisei veterans to a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, and the DREAM Act and a Chinese Exclusion Act apology bill were reintroduced. Chapter scholarships, a profile of actress Erika Fong and the death of Etsu Mineta Masaoka at 95 appear as well.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Power of Words Resolution, by Joyce Okazaki, page 2. A letter writer criticizes the JACL’s ‘Power of Words’ handbook for labeling accurate historical terms as ‘problematic’ euphemisms. She argues that terms like concentration camp are historically accurate and that she, as a U.S. citizen, was unjustly imprisoned in one during WWII.
• Connecting JACLers Across the Country, by Anne Chilcott, page 2. A letter writer reflects on decades of friendships built through JACL activities in the Snake River chapter, IDC, and national conventions. She notes the JACL stories help connect members across generations.
• Food Issue: Yummy, by Joe and Nellie Saito, page 2. Readers praise a recent food-themed issue of the Pacific Citizen and suggest a follow-up feature on members’ hobbies. They thank the paper for its continued publication as they approach their 93rd and 89th birthdays.
• If JACL is Old and Boring, Let’s Talk About It, by Phillip Ozaki, page 8. JACL membership coordinator Phillip Ozaki argues members should promote JACL’s programs and impact rather than just benefits when recruiting new members. He offers storytelling examples about leadership training and educational curriculum programs to illustrate how membership dues create tangible community impact.
• The Son of the Rising Sun, by John Tateishi, page 8. John Tateishi profiles his childhood friend Jimmy Ige, a pioneering Japanese American drag racer from the 1970s who also restored classic cars. Despite Ige’s achievements in racing and car restoration, Tateishi notes few Japanese Americans know his name.
• JACL Campus Outreach, by Bill Yoshino, page 13. Midwest regional director Bill Yoshino describes JACL’s five-year-old Campus Outreach program, which brings workshops on multiracial identity and anti-Asian hate crimes to college students nationwide. The program has connected participants to JACL leadership conferences, internships, and campus liaison roles.

JACL

• Lots of Activity for JACL, by Floyd Mori, page 2. JACL National Director Floyd Mori reports on staff activities including the new D.C. Digest newsletter, a screening of the film ‘442: Live With Honor, Die With Dignity’ in Houston, and the JACL’s response to revelations about WWII-era prosecutorial misconduct. He also notes Comcast’s continued corporate sponsorship and creation of an Asian American Advisory Council.
• Making New Waves, by Gary Mayeda, page 2. The 42nd JACL National Convention chairperson previews the Hollywood convention, describing the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel venue and planned activities including a welcome reception at Madame Tussauds. He emphasizes that convention delegates will shape the organization’s direction through workshops and votes on resolutions.
• A Family Legacy in JACL, page 7. Tom Yatabe, grandson of JACL’s first national president Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe, discusses his vision for promoting JACL to younger members through branding and social programs like JACL Young Professionals. The article traces the family’s three-generation involvement with the organization from its founding roots in Fresno’s American Loyalty League.

In-Depth

• What’s in a Name? The George Komure Elementary School, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. Fourteen-year-old Emily Isakari led a project to educate students at George Y. Komure Elementary School about the Nisei veteran and civic leader for whom the school was named. Komure, a WWII veteran and longtime JACL member, was incarcerated at Tule Lake while serving overseas, and later became a farmer and school board member in French Camp, California.
• Fans Say Anime Brings a Deeper Appreciation for Japan, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. Anime enthusiasts of diverse backgrounds discuss how their love of Japanese animation and manga has deepened their appreciation for Japanese culture and language. The article previews the growing Anime Expo in Los Angeles and traces anime’s history and universal appeal.

National

• Solicitor General Says WWII-era Predecessor Hid Information on JA Incarceration, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 5. Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal publicly acknowledged that his WWII-era predecessor Charles Fahy concealed a report showing Japanese Americans posed little security threat while defending the Hirabayashi and Korematsu convictions. JACL and civil rights advocates praised the admission as validating decades-old claims that the incarceration was unjustified.
• DREAM Act Could Make College a Reality, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 5. The DREAM Act was reintroduced in Congress, offering conditional permanent residency to undocumented students who graduated from U.S. high schools and meet certain requirements. Supporters say the bill would help thousands of undocumented students access higher education, while opponents argue it rewards illegal immigration.
• Lawmakers Seek Apology for Chinese Exclusion Act, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 5. A bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Judy Chu and Sens. Feinstein and Akaka calls for Congress to formally express regret for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. The act banned Chinese immigration and naturalization and was the first law to deny citizenship rights based on national origin.
• NJAHS, Presidio Trust to Develop MIS Historic Learning Center, page 6. The National Japanese American Historical Society and The Presidio Trust signed an agreement to rehabilitate Building 640, site of the first Military Intelligence Service Language School, into a historic learning center. The center, expected to open in 2012, will honor over 6,000 MIS graduates with exhibits and a Wall of Honor.
• Study: Minority Youth Have Big Media Appetite, by David Aguilar, Associated Press, page 6. A Northwestern University study found minority youth spend significantly more time consuming media than white youth, with Asian Pacific American youth leading in recreational computer use. Researchers warn the trend could contribute to sedentary lifestyles and health issues like childhood obesity.
• Federal Court Nominee Withdraws Nomination, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 6. Legal scholar Goodwin Liu withdrew his nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after Senate Republicans blocked a confirmation vote. Asian Pacific American groups criticized the filibuster, noting the 9th Circuit has no Asian American judges despite serving a large APA population.
• Bill to Reunite Filipino Veteran Families Revived, by Associated Press, page 6. Sen. Daniel Akaka reintroduced legislation that would allow children of Filipino WWII veterans to join their U.S. citizen parents without facing lengthy immigration quotas. The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Inouye and Menendez.

Arts & Entertainment

• Erika Fong ‘Morphin’ into a Pink Power Ranger, by Nalea J. Ko, page 9. Actress Erika Fong discusses landing the role of the Pink Ranger Mia in Nickelodeon’s ‘Power Rangers Samurai’, filmed in New Zealand. She talks about her journey to Hollywood, stunt training, and her lifelong love of the Power Rangers franchise.

Community

• NY/SC Takes Part in Environmental Justice Youth Summit in New Orleans, page 10. Members of the National JACL Youth Student Council participated in a two-day Environmental Justice Youth Summit in New Orleans, planting marsh grass and learning about environmental injustices facing the Vietnamese fishing community after Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. The summit was sponsored by State Farm Insurance and Southwest Airlines.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 10. Brief news items include Hawaii’s new gold star family license plates, D.C. police’s continued Chinatown patrol program, San Francisco’s new policy on undocumented immigrants, an amicus brief against Utah’s immigration law, and efforts to save Riverside’s historic Chinatown. Multiple Asian American organizations are involved in these various initiatives.
• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. Briefs cover WWII Nisei veteran Shinyei ‘Rocky’ Matayoshi receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, an author winning a literary award for a book on Nisei hero Ben Kuroki, and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii honoring a Japanese tea master. Also noted are a playwright’s award and new board members at the Museum of Chinese in America.
• Little Tokyo Gym Lease Gets OK, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. The Los Angeles City Council approved a long-term ground lease for the Budokan, a planned sports and activity center in Little Tokyo, clearing the way for fundraising. Supporters hope the 38,000-square-foot facility will attract Japanese Americans back to the historic district after decades of decline.
• Fundraising Efforts Launched for Nisei to Attend Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies in D.C., by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 11. The National Veterans Network, a coalition of 25 organizations including JACL, launched a fundraising campaign to help WWII Nisei veterans travel to Washington D.C. for a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. So far 370 veterans from 30 states have registered to attend the event honoring the 100th, 442nd, and MIS.
• High School Seniors Receive JACL Berkeley Scholarships, page 12. The Berkeley JACL chapter awarded over $5,000 in scholarships to four high school seniors at its annual Awards Luncheon, along with Pioneer Awards to Carolyn Adams and 98-year-old MIS veteran Roy Matsumoto. The chapter also reported raising $3,800 for Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
• Ventura County JACL Leads Cleanup Effort at Japanese Cemetery, page 12. Ventura County JACL members continued a 65-year tradition of cleaning and maintaining the historic Oxnard Japanese Cemetery, once a segregated burial site for Japanese American pioneers. The chapter also plans to add walking stones and fences to the cemetery grounds.
• Seabrook JACL Continues Rich Heritage, page 13. The Seabrook JACL chapter held its annual Keirokai senior appreciation event, a tradition spanning over 60 years honoring local Japanese Americans aged 65 and older. The event took place at the Seabrook Buddhist Temple, founded in 1945 in the New Jersey farming community where thousands of Japanese Americans relocated for work.
• Six Students Awarded Sequoia Chapter Scholarships, page 14. The Sequoia JACL chapter honored six high school and college students with scholarships at its annual reception, including Darryn Keiichi Wong who received the Harry & Elsie Yoshida Memorial Award for his community involvement. Recipients will attend schools including UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, and UC San Diego.
• Houston JACL Co-hosts Screening of ‘442’, page 16. The Houston JACL co-hosted a screening of the documentary ‘442: Live With Honor, Die With Dignity’ at the Museum of Fine Arts, with National Director Floyd Mori introducing the film and conducting a Q&A. The chapter also announced its new 2011-2012 executive board led by president Gary Nakamura.

Obituaries

• Former California Treasurer Matt Fong Dies, by Pacific Citizen and Associated Press, page 15. Matt Fong, former California state treasurer and son of pioneering politician March Fong Eu, died June 1 after a four-year battle with cancer at age 57. He was remembered for blazing trails for Asian American politicians after his 1998 Senate race loss to Barbara Boxer.
• Etsu Mineta Masaoka Was a Stalwart JACL Champion, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 15. Etsu Mineta Masaoka, wife of JACL leader Mike Masaoka and sister of Norman Mineta, died June 2 at age 95 after decades of dedicated service to the organization. She and her husband helped lead JACL through what was called its ‘Golden Era,’ including lobbying for Issei naturalization rights and the repeal of Alien Land Laws.
• Richard Yoshikawa: Pioneer in San Joaquin County Politics, page 15. Richard Shizuo Yoshikawa, the first Asian Pacific American to serve on California’s San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the San Joaquin Delta Community College Board, died May 29 at age 91. A longtime JACL leader and photographer who was incarcerated at Rohwer during WWII, he helped pass a 1981 resolution supporting redress for Japanese Americans.

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