Vol. 155, No. 4, August 17, 2012. 16 pages. View this issue
The 2012 JACL national convention in Bellevue, Wash., filled most of this issue. Nalea J. Ko reported that David Lin was elected national president, the first Chinese American to hold the post. Christine Fukushima covered the Sayonara Banquet, where Karen Narasaki received the Edison Uno Civil Rights Award, and the youth luncheon, where Gene Kim received the JACL Vision Award. The council’s unanimous 86-0 ratification of the Power of Words handbook, on accurate terms for the World War II incarceration, was covered by Fukushima and by Mako Nakagawa.
The commentary pages turned to the paper itself. Carol Kawamoto, the new Editorial Board chair, and Gil Asakawa wrote about the staffing crisis at the Pacific Citizen and what comes next. Elsewhere, John Tateishi wrote on photo ID voting laws, Steve Okamoto and Harry K. Honda offered their views on the convention, and Patricia E. Takayama reported on two community programs in the San Fernando Valley.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- An Appeal to the Youth, by Takasumi Kojima, page 2. A letter writer argues that today’s Nikkei youth are less interested in camp stories and internment history, seeking instead internal cultural and religious fulfillment. He calls on the Pacific Citizen to become more relevant to young people’s lives by addressing education, faith and professional careers rather than focusing on internment themes.
- Thank You National JACL, by Tom Kometani and Debbie Kashino, page 2. Leaders of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee and NVC Foundation thank national JACL for the 2012 Japanese American of the Biennium Award. They credit the honor to all who built the organization since 1946 and highlight their mission to preserve JA legacies and serve the community.
- P.C.: Overcoming Short-Term Obstacles, Making Long-Term Solutions, by Carol Kawamoto, page 2. The newly appointed chair of the Pacific Citizen Editorial Board introduces herself and her JACL background, noting she accepted the role despite unprecedented staffing challenges facing the paper. She pledges to work toward stability and continuity for the publication going forward.
- With the P.C. at a Crossroads, a Rare Chance for Renewal, by Gil Asakawa, page 2. A former P.C. Editorial Board chair reflects on the financial and staffing crisis facing the Pacific Citizen, including the departures of Executive Editor Caroline Aoyagi and Assistant Editor Lynda Lin. He expresses optimism that new JACL leadership and a search for new editorial staff represent an opportunity for renewal.
- ‘Power of Words’ Still a Compelling Topic in JACL, by Mako Nakagawa, page 3. Nakagawa recounts the historic July 7 vote at the JACL national council ratifying the Power of Words handbook and implementation plan by a unanimous 86-0 vote. She describes the subsequent ‘Spreading the Word’ workshop that recruited new volunteers to promote accurate terminology about the incarceration experience.
- A Return to Jim Crow, by John Tateishi, page 5. Tateishi criticizes Republican-led state laws requiring photo IDs for voting, arguing they are designed to suppress African American, Latino, elderly and low-income voters ahead of the 2012 election. He compares the laws to Jim Crow-era voter suppression tactics and calls on JACL to oppose such attacks on voting rights.
- The Buzz From Bellevue, by Steve Okamoto, page 12. Okamoto praises the successful 43rd JACL national convention and the swift approval of the 2013-14 budget, noting JACL recently received nearly $1.5 million in trust distributions from planned gifts. He urges members to consider including JACL in their estate planning and reports that new leaders have signed pledges of support for planned giving.
- Seattle JACL’s Bonanza at Bellevue, by Harry K. Honda, page 12. Pacific Citizen editor emeritus Harry Honda recounts personalities and history encountered at the JACL convention in Bellevue, from national board members to longtime JACLers and past leaders. He reflects on convention traditions, historical figures like Mas Satow and Clarence Arai, and the rich attendance of past district governors and community figures.
- P.C. at a Crossroads Continued: A Message From the Editorial Board Chair, by Carol Kawamoto, page 16. Kawamoto elaborates on the staffing crisis facing the Pacific Citizen, including the departure of the business manager alongside the editor and assistant editor positions already vacant. She commits to ensuring regular publication continues, including the crucial annual Holiday Issue, while the organization searches for new staff.
JACL
- JACLers Revisit the ‘Power of Words’, by Christine Fukushima, P.C. Correspondent, page 3. At the 2012 JACL national convention, attendees packed workshops on the ‘Power of Words’ handbook following its unanimous ratification by the national council. Panelists including Mako Nakagawa and youth speaker Kaila Yoshitomi discussed the importance of accurate terminology in describing the WWII incarceration and encouraged attendees to become promoters of the campaign.
- JACL Makes History, Elects David Lin as National President, by Nalea J. Ko, P.C. Staff Reporter, page 4. David Lin was elected JACL’s national president at the 2012 convention in Bellevue, Wash., becoming the first Chinese American to hold the position. Lin, a former vice president of membership and AT&T executive, received 62.5 of 86.5 votes cast, and the full slate of new national board officers was also elected.
- Gene Kim Wins JACL Vision Award, Shares Vision for Rising APA Generation, by Christine Fukushima, P.C. Correspondent, page 4. Gene Kim, executive director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at age 26, received the JACL Vision Award at the 2012 convention’s youth luncheon. Kim discussed his journey from a UC Berkeley student uninterested in politics to a leading voice for APA issues in Washington, D.C.
- The JACL Awards Luncheon Spotlights on Seattle APAs, by Christine McFadden, P.C. Correspondent, page 6. At the JACL Awards Luncheon in Bellevue, Wash., Seattle news anchor Lori Matsukawa received the Seattle JACL Community Achievement Award and convention chair Elaine Akagi received a surprise JACLer of the Biennium award. Densho’s Tom Ikeda served as master of ceremonies and opened by honoring the late Gordon Hirabayashi.
- JACL Convention: Honoring the Present, Thanking the Past, by Christine Fukushima, P.C. Correspondent, page 7. At the JACL convention’s Sayonara Banquet, Rep. Jim McDermott received the President’s Award, artist Frank Fuji and the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee/NVC Foundation received the Japanese American of the Biennium Award, and Karen Narasaki received the Edison Uno Civil Rights Award. Each honoree spoke about their contributions to civil rights and the Japanese American community.
- JACL Hosts Dinner for NYSC, by Christine McFadden, P.C. Correspondent, page 13. Norman Mineta and Rep. Mike Honda attended the National Youth Student Council dinner during the 2012 JACL convention, which saw higher youth attendance than previous years. Young attendees, including many of mixed heritage, discussed API identity and the importance of connecting with their JA heritage through the organization.
Community
- Series of Workshops Held at SFVJACC, by Patricia E. Takayama, page 5. A daylong series of workshops called Japanese Americans Mobilizing in Asian America was held at the San Fernando Valley JA Community Center, created by UC Irvine student body president Traci Ishigo. Panels covered political identity, gender issues, and disability services within the Asian American community.
- PSW JACL Intros KataroU Preservation Program, by Patricia E. Takayama, page 5. PSW JACL staff introduced Kataroo, a pilot historical preservation program focused on San Fernando Valley Japanese Americans, designed to build intergenerational understanding through shared stories. Participants ranging from teens to 80-year-olds will produce a final film, PowerPoint or artwork documenting local JA history, with a culminating event set for Aug. 23.
Obituaries
- Thomas Tetsuji Machida, page 15. Thomas Tetsuji Machida, 86, an Elk Grove-born Nisei and Korean War veteran, passed away in Arcadia on June 23 after a prolonged illness. Funeral services were held at Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley, and he is survived by his sons, grandchildren, sister and other relatives.
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.