Vol. 156, No. 2, February 1, 2013. 16 pages. View this issue
Remembrance ran through this 16-page issue. Day of Remembrance events marking Executive Order 9066 and the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 were announced for Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sonoma County. Eri Kameyama and Stephanie Nitahara reported on Fred Korematsu Day gatherings in Pasadena and Torrance, with remarks from Karen Korematsu, Rep. Judy Chu and others. Nalea J. Ko wrote about the California State Personnel Board’s formal apology to 265 Japanese American state workers fired during World War II, and Floyd Mori invited readers to the 2013 JACL national convention in Washington, D.C.
Elsewhere, Greg Marutani described the Fresno County Public Library’s California Reads program on Farewell to Manzanar. Connie K. Ho interviewed Eddie Huang about his memoir Fresh Off the Boat. Readers will also find the JACCC’s new president and CEO, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit for Nisei veterans, and grant calls from UCLA and the JACL Legacy Fund.
What’s in this issue
Community
- JACCC Announces New President and CEO, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center named Leslie A. Ito as its new president and CEO, effective March 4, succeeding interim CEO Bill Watanabe. Ito, who grew up participating in JACCC programs, hopes to revive the organization following the resignation of former CEO Greg Willis amid a misuse-of-funds scandal.
- Fresno County Public Library Concludes California Reads: ‘Farewell to Manzanar’, by Greg Marutani, page 3. The Fresno County Public Library completed its California Reads program featuring ‘Farewell to Manzanar,’ drawing over 3,400 visitors through more than 80 programs funded by a California Humanities Council grant. Librarian Roberta Barton drew on her personal connection to the Japanese American community and extensive partnerships to make the program a success, inspiring future multicultural programming.
- The Asian American Community in Southern California Honors Fred Korematsu Day, by Eri Kameyama and Stephanie Nitahara, page 10. Community members gathered in Pasadena to celebrate Fred Korematsu Day, featuring remarks from Karen Korematsu, Sen. Carol Liu, Rep. Judy Chu and Mayor Bill Bogaard honoring Fred Korematsu’s legacy of civil rights activism. A second event in Torrance featured additional speakers including Maxine Waters and Al Muratsuchi, emphasizing continued vigilance on civil liberties issues today.
- Day of Remembrance Events Commemorate Executive Order 9066, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Multiple cities including Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sonoma County are hosting Day of Remembrance events marking the anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Programs include film screenings, speaker panels, and tributes to the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, exploring parallels between historical injustices and contemporary civil rights issues.
- UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center Announces the 2013 Aratani CARE Grants, by P.C. Staff, page 16. UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center is accepting applications for its 2013 Aratani CARE grants, ranging from $1,000-$5,000, designed to benefit the Japanese American community and strengthen ties with UCLA. Applications are due March 22, with priority given to projects involving campus partners.
Commentary
- Come to Washington, D.C., for the JACL Convention, by Floyd Mori, page 2. Floyd Mori reflects on his history with JACL leadership and John Tateishi before promoting the 2013 National JACL Convention in Washington, D.C., themed ‘Justice for All’ to mark the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The convention will run July 24-26 at the Renaissance Hotel and offers attendees a chance to explore the nation’s capital while honoring Japanese American history.
In-Depth
- California Personnel Board Issues Formal Apology to Japanese American Employees Fired During World War II, by Nalea J. Ko, Reporter, page 4. Seventy-one years after 265 California state workers of Japanese ancestry were fired during WWII, the California State Personnel Board issued a formal apology on Jan. 10, prompted by research from retired state employee Lora Fong. Sally Taketa, 94, one of the fired workers, expressed gratitude for the overdue apology and hopes the board reaches out to other former employees or their families.
National
- APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 6. Kevin Tsujihara was named CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, becoming the first Asian American to lead a major Hollywood studio, while the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition named Daniel Mayeda and Priscilla Ouchida as new co-chairs. Additionally, Rep. Mark Takano was appointed to a House veterans subcommittee, and Judge Carla Wong McMillian became the first APA state appellate judge in the Southeastern U.S.
- National Veterans Network Launches Smithsonian Congressional Gold Medal Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans hosted the kickoff of a seven-city traveling exhibit honoring Japanese American Nisei WWII soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal, attended by 16 Nisei veterans. Speakers included Sen. Mary Landrieu, Irene Hirano-Inouye, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and JACL National Director Emeritus Floyd Mori.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Lil Tokyo Reporter’ Receives Grant From the Union Bank Foundation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The narrative short film ‘Lil Tokyo Reporter,’ inspired by newspaper publisher Sei Fujii, received a $5,000 grant from the Union Bank Foundation to support its release. The film’s Los Angeles premiere will be held Feb. 23 at the Downtown Independent Theater with a Q&A session following screenings.
- Eddie Huang on ‘Fresh Off the Boat’, by Connie K. Ho, Contributor, page 8. Baohaus co-founder Eddie Huang discusses his new memoir ‘Fresh Off the Boat,’ detailing his upbringing as a first-generation Taiwanese American and his journey as a writer and media personality. Huang reflects on his motivations for writing, his approach to social media, and his desire to give voice to outsiders through his work.
Obituaries
- Masato Sasaki, page 15. Masato Sasaki, born in 1917 on a family farm in Orting, Wash., lost his gas station and was sent to Puyallup fairgrounds and later a Montana labor farm during WWII internment. He later became an auto mechanic, married his wife Yori, and lived a full life surrounded by family until his death in October 2012 at age 95.
JACL
- JACL Now Accepting 2013 Legacy Fund Grant Applications, by P.C. Staff, page 16. JACL is accepting applications for its 2013 Legacy Fund Grants Program, offering up to $3,000 to chapters, districts and the National Youth/Student Council for projects supporting the JACL’s Program for Action. The fund, established in 1990 with $4.8 million largely from redress awards, requires projects to be completed by August 2014, with an application deadline of April 24.
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