Readers on incarceration history, a Dymally tribute, and living legends

Vol. 155, No. 8, October 19, 2012. 12 pages. View this issue

Readers and columnists looked back at the World War II incarceration (often called internment) and what it still asks of Japanese Americans. Letters on page 2 covered Tule Lake, staying politically active, and the four documents tied to Executive Order 9066, as written by Takasumi Kojima. John Tateishi wrote about why most Nisei stayed loyal Democrats, and Gil Asakawa urged readers to follow news from Japan. JACL mourned Rep. Mervyn Dymally, a supporter of redress who visited Manzanar, and sent testimony to a Senate hearing on hate crimes.

The community pages noted the promotion of Michael K. Nagata to Major General and honors for Blaine Tamaki and Rick Shiomi. In-depth stories covered the Pacific Southwest District awards dinner, where Helen Kawagoe and Harry Honda were honored, and Honda’s advice to new staffers. On page 8, Nalea J. Ko profiled Kelly Marie Dunn of Oxygen’s Girlfriend Confidential: LA.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The ‘Power of Words’ Has Many Meanings, by CWO Martin Wallach, AUS Ret., page 2. A reader recalls learning the abbreviation POW meant ‘Power of Words’ in a previous issue, which reminded him of a 1946 encounter with a Nisei sergeant in Japan who used POW to mean he had been imprisoned at Tule Lake. He expresses appreciation for the Pacific Citizen newspaper.
• It’s Important for Japanese Americans to Stay Politically Active, by Carol Murota, page 2. The writer recalls her mother’s political involvement after being incarcerated during WWII and stresses that voting remains crucial for the Japanese American community today. She urges readers to register to vote and stay politically engaged, noting League of Women Voters resources available in the Bay Area.
• The Internment Experience Should Continue to Be Taught and Remembered, by Anonymous, page 2. The writer shares learning about their grandfather’s forced removal to Chicago after Pearl Harbor, discovered only after their aunt’s death, highlighting how much family history remains unknown. They call on the Pacific Citizen to continue publishing stories about the internment camps so the history is not lost.
• Four Necessary Documents Associated With Executive Order 9066, by Takasumi Kojima, page 2. Responding to a previous letter, the writer details the four sequential legal documents required before Japanese Americans could be evacuated to assembly centers or relocation camps, including Executive Orders 9066 and 9102, Public Law 503, and Civilian Exclusion Orders. He notes that Executive Order 9066 alone is often mistakenly cited as the sole authorization for evacuation.
• True Blue Dems, by John Tateishi, page 3. Tateishi explores the paradox that most Nisei remained loyal Democrats despite being betrayed by a Democratic president and Congress during WWII incarceration. He argues this loyalty stemmed from deeply held communal values passed down through generations, exemplified by the redress movement’s focus on national betterment rather than self-interest.
• Japanese Americans Should Follow Japan News, by Gil Asakawa, page 3. Asakawa argues that Japanese Americans should pay closer attention to Japan’s political instability, rising nationalism, and the ongoing territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. He notes parallels with American political dysfunction and encourages Japanese Americans to engage with these issues and visit Japan.

National

• JACL Mourns the Passing of Rep. Mervyn Dymally, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Former California lawmaker Mervyn Dymally, a strong supporter of Japanese American redress, passed away Oct. 7, 2012 at age 85. JACL leaders praised Dymally’s advocacy, including his visit to Manzanar and his efforts securing Congressional Black Caucus support for the redress bill.
• Japan Economy Shaky as Island Spat Intensifies, by Associated Press, page 4. The territorial dispute between Japan and China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands has severely damaged Japan’s economy, with Japanese auto sales in China plunging and tourism collapsing. Analysts predict Japan’s economy will contract further as the political and economic fallout continues to unfold.
• JACL Provides Testimony for Senate Hearing on Hate Crimes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL submitted written testimony to a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on hate crimes, prompted by the Oak Creek, Wis. Sikh Temple shooting. The testimony cited historical examples of anti-Asian violence and offered recommendations including improved police training and accountability for public officials who promote racial bias.

Community

• Michael K. Nagata Promoted to Major General, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brigadier Gen. Michael K. Nagata was promoted to Major General in a Pentagon ceremony presided over by Gen. Martin Dempsey. Nagata has spent most of his 30-year Army career in special operations combating terrorism and insurgency across multiple international postings.
• Tamaki Named State Trial Lawyer of the Year, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Attorney Blaine Tamaki of Tamaki Law was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Washington State Association for Justice for his work on landmark cases. The award was presented by fellow attorney Mark Kamitomo.
• The Twin Cities Theater Community Honors Shiomi, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rick Shiomi, artistic director of Mu Performing Arts, received the Ivey Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Twin Cities theater community. Shiomi founded Mu Performing Arts in 1992, and his recent production of ‘Into the Woods’ was the company’s highest-grossing show in 20 years.
• Pacific Asia Museum Recognizes Niimi and Oka at Festival of the Autumn Moon, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Jun Niimi, consul general of Japan in Los Angeles, and Masashi Oka of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ were honored at the Pacific Asia Museum’s 35th annual Festival of the Autumn Moon. The event’s theme, ‘Celebrating Japan,’ marked the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry blossom trees to the U.S.
• PSWD Concludes Inaugural Katarou Histories Program, by Eri Kameyama, page 5. JACL’s Pacific Southwest District wrapped up its first Katarou Histories Program with a Culmination Day celebration at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. Participants created documentary, film, and mural projects preserving untold histories of Japanese Americans in the San Fernando Valley.

In-Depth

• Living Legends: JACL PSWDC Honors Chapter Stalwarts at Gala Awards Dinner, by George Toshio Johnston, page 6. JACL’s Pacific Southwest District Council held its 16th annual awards dinner in Los Angeles, honoring Helen Kawagoe and Harry Honda as ‘living legends’ along with several chapter stalwarts. National Director Priscilla Ouchida delivered the keynote address focused on transformation, and Union Bank was recognized as community honoree.
• Harry Honda Shares Wisdom With New P.C. Staffers, by George Toshio Johnston, page 7. Harry Honda advised new Pacific Citizen staffers to study JACL’s history, recommending Bill Hosokawa’s book ‘JACL: In Quest of Justice.’ He recounted how the organization’s name evolved from the American Loyalty League in the 1920s and reflected on JACL’s expanding role advocating for all minorities.

Arts & Entertainment

• Kelly Marie Dunn: Front & Center, by Nalea J. Ko, page 8. Korean American talent manager Kelly Marie Dunn discusses her first on-camera role in Oxygen’s reality show ‘Girlfriend Confidential: LA,’ alongside friends Eva Marcille, Denyce Lawton, and Nikki Chu. Dunn talks about her career, being the conservative one in the group, and her hope the show inspires young women who don’t often see themselves represented on TV.

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