Black-Asian tensions in Anacostia, and a new immigration law

Vol. 103, No. 23, December 5, 1986. 12 pages. View this issue

A guilty plea in Washington, D.C. led the front page. Chinese American restaurant owner Cheung Hung Chan pleaded guilty to a reduced firearms charge after a confrontation with a customer, Sara Carter, and protests led by the Rev. Willie Wilson continued outside his shop. Elsewhere on page 1, J.K. Yamamoto reported on Leland Wong’s run for Los Angeles’s new 1st District City Council seat and on attorneys explaining the newly passed immigration law. Norman Cohen and Rick Momii spoke with Gedde Watanabe, Sab Shimono and Patti Yasutake about the new ABC series ‘Gung Ho.’

JACL readers will find National Director Ron Wakabayashi on anti-Asian prejudice and President Harry Kajihara on redress pledge money, with letters on the redress fight and JACL’s future. Fred Hirasuna’s tribute to Min Yasui is on page 4. Page 10 gathers newspaper editorials on redress, and page 11 carries a review of the 1983 conference proceedings on relocation and redress.

What’s in this issue

National

• Shop Owner Pleads Guilty in D.C. Dispute, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chinese American restaurant owner Cheung Hung Chan pleaded guilty to a reduced firearms charge after a September confrontation in which he allegedly threatened a Black customer with a gun. The incident sparked ongoing protests by Black residents led by Rev. Willie Wilson, highlighting tensions between Black communities and Asian merchants in Anacostia.
• Attorneys Try to Decode New Immigration Bill Technicalities, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. A panel of attorneys at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center explained provisions of the newly passed immigration law, including employer sanctions and amnesty requirements, to social service agencies and ethnic media. Panelists warned of confusion, potential workplace discrimination, and difficulties for applicants seeking amnesty or navigating the new Marriage Fraud Act.
• Union Pickets Japan Embassy to Protest Toyota’s Policies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 300 AFL-CIO members picketed the Japanese embassy to protest Toyota’s use of non-union construction workers at its new Kentucky assembly plant. Union leaders considered a Pearl Harbor Day rally despite concerns that it could be perceived as exploiting racial prejudice.
• Wakabayashi: Economic Woes Fueling Anti-Asian Prejudice, by P.C. Staff, page 3. At an American Jewish Committee dinner session in Seattle, JACL National Director Ron Wakabayashi cited trade imbalances, rising Asian immigration, and resulting xenophobia as causes of increasing anti-Asian sentiment. He also noted that the redress movement helped Sansei and Yonsei gain new appreciation and respect for the Nisei generation.
• Inouye Given Ellis Island Medal, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sen. Daniel Inouye was among 80 notable Americans awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor on the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty’s dedication. Other Asian Pacific honorees included publisher Alex Esclamado and physicist Chien-Shung Wu.
• Black-Asian Conflict: Shop Owner Case Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Further details emerged in the Cheung Hung Chan case, including prosecutors’ allegations that Chan threatened customer Sara Carter with a loaded gun after a dispute over food. Chan’s attorney argued he was unaware he was violating law by carrying the registered firearm, and Chan hoped his guilty plea would end ongoing protests.
• Toyota Protest: Union Officials Express Concerns Over Racial Tensions, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Labor federation officials privately expressed concern that a planned Pearl Harbor Day rally against Toyota could be perceived as exploiting racial animosity from WW2. One official lamented that years of work to curb racial bias within unions could be undermined by the rally.

Community

• Asian Plans to Run in L.A.’s ‘Latino District’, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. Leland Wong, 29, announced his candidacy for Los Angeles’s new 1st District City Council seat, challenging the assumption that the redrawn district is reserved for a Hispanic candidate. He will face Assemblywoman Gloria Molina and school board member Larry Gonzales in a February special election.
• Asian Named to Immigrant Advisory Panel, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chicago Mayor Harold Washington welcomed new appointees, including Krisna Abnay of the Lao Center, to his Refugee/Immigrant Advisory Committee. Washington praised immigrant contributions to the city while criticizing federal officials for linking immigrants to terrorism and drug problems.
• Women Plan JA Directory for No. Calif., by P.C. Staff, page 6. JACL’s Women’s Concerns Committee announced plans to publish a resource directory of Japanese American women in Northern California, covering categories from careers to politics. The committee seeks nominations of individuals and organizations for inclusion.
• Blue Shield to Include Health Analysis With Plan in 1987, by P.C. Staff, page 7. JACL’s Blue Shield Health Plan for Northern California announced improved dental benefits and a new health promotion program called Healthtrac starting Jan. 1, 1987. The plan, started in 1965, now covers over 5,000 subscribers across six JACL district councils.
• Senior Center Moves to New Site, Reaches Out to Nisei, by Soji Kashiwagi, page 9. Kimochi Senior Center relocated its hot lunch nutrition program to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, consolidating services under one roof. Center leaders are actively working to attract more Nisei participants, who have been reluctant to use programs they associate with Issei or charity.
• Study Looks at Camps’ Effect on Sansei Lives, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Dr. Donna Nagata of Smith College is conducting research on the cross-generational psychological effects of WW2 Japanese American internment on the Sansei generation. The study will survey Sansei about their knowledge of the internment and communication with parents about the experience.
• 24-Hour Job Hotline Offered to Aspiring Asian Journalists, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Asian American Journalists Association launched a free 24-hour job network hotline to connect media employers with qualified Asian American and minority journalists. AAJA also established a mentor program pairing student journalists with professional reporters and editors.
• Konko Churches Mark 60th Year in North America, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Konko Churches of North America celebrated its 60th anniversary with a commemorative service at the LeBaron Hotel in San Jose during its annual conference. The service was officiated by Rev. Michihiro Yuasa and attended by guests from Konko-kyo headquarters and Hawaii missions.
• N.Y. Group Gets Grant for Family Shelter, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Asian Americans for Equality received a $1 million state grant to fund Equality House, a Chinatown shelter for displaced Asian families. The renovated building will provide housing for up to 82 people for stays of three to six months starting in 1987.
• L.A. City Council Redistricting Sparks Controversy, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The creation of Los Angeles’s new 1st District, intended to boost Latino voting power, has sparked controversy among Asian American communities concerned about dispersed voting strength. Multiple redistricting plans were contested before the council settled on the current boundaries following Councilman Howard Finn’s death.

Arts & Entertainment

• New Series a Unique Chance for JA Actors, by Norman Cohen and Rick Momii, page 1. Actors Gedde Watanabe, Sab Shimono and Patti Yasutake discuss their roles in the new ABC series ‘Gung Ho,’ debuting Dec. 5, about culture clashes at an American auto plant taken over by Japanese management. The actors reflect on stereotypes, authenticity, and the show’s significance as a breakthrough for Asian American representation on network television.
• New East West Play Focuses on Conflicts in Prewar Family, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Akemi Kikumura’s play ‘The Gambling Den,’ directed by Mako, opens at East West Players exploring an Issei family’s struggles with racism and generational conflict before WW2. The cast includes Mako, Shizuko Hoshi, Mimosa Iwamatsu, and Sala Iwamatsu.
• Newscaster Tokuda Authors Book on Well-Known Whale, by P.C. Staff, page 11. KPIX-TV news anchor Wendy Tokuda and her husband co-authored a children’s book about Humphrey the humpback whale, who famously wandered into San Francisco Bay in 1985. Proceeds from the book will benefit the Family Service Agency of San Francisco, matched by KPIX’s community outreach campaign.

Commentary

• Budgetary Realities, page 4. A PC Board member examines JACL’s budget crisis, contrasting ambitious youth program goals with shrinking funding and shortfalls in redress pledge collections. The writer argues that JACL must better align its program goals with realistic available resources going forward.
• A Disservice to the Asian Community, by Elaine Song, page 4. The author criticizes a previous Pacific Citizen article comparing the Vincent Chin and Bun Vong cases for ignoring community perspectives and focusing solely on legal technicalities. She argues the light sentencing in the Bun Vong case sent a damaging message about the justice system’s treatment of Asian Americans.
• An Issue That Hit Home, by Reiko Gaspar, page 5. A letter writer reflects on proxy voting problems from her time as a JACL chapter president and argues against proxy votes, suggesting mailed ballots instead. She praises Bob Shimabukuro’s column on internal JACL conflict and calls for unity around shared goals.
• Computer Credit, by Paul M. Shinkawa, page 5. The former Mountain Plains District governor clarifies credit for the donation of a Leading Edge computer to JACL headquarters, crediting Bob Sakaguchi and Steve Hasegawa for the purchase and setup. He describes ongoing efforts to coordinate additional hardware and software purchases among JACL districts.
• Harsh Reality, by Chiye Tomihiro, page 5. A Chicago writer argues that Sansei and Yonsei generally do not want to join JACL, threatening the organization’s future membership base. She proposes committing all JACL resources to redress for two years, then honestly assessing whether the organization remains viable.
• Don’t Be Wallflowers, by Sam Nakano, page 5. The writer expresses concern about apathy among JACL members regarding the redress movement and urges greater commitment to the cause. He argues redress is about proving fairness and equality, not just monetary compensation.
• Overlooked Hero, by Isamu Nakao, Herman D. Lujan, Kazuko Nakao, page 5. Bainbridge Island residents highlight the overlooked contributions of attorney Art Barnett, who served as Gordon Hirabayashi’s first legal counsel during WW2 internment resistance. They seek to publicly acknowledge Barnett alongside previously recognized community heroes like Walt and Millie Woodward.
• Typesetter Fund, by Guchi and June Yoshioka, page 5. A Hayward couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary donated gift checks they received to the Pacific Citizen Typesetter Fund. They express continued support for JACL and the Pacific Citizen.

Obituaries

• Min Yasui — An Incredible Hero, by Fred Hirasuna, page 4. A tribute to the late Min Yasui recounts his dedication to JACL and the redress movement, including his personal sacrifice to attend the 1985 CCDC convention shortly after an extended overseas trip. The author calls for continuing the redress fight with renewed vigor as the best tribute to Yasui’s memory.

JACL

• A Gratifying Response, by Harry Kajihara, page 5. National JACL President Harry Kajihara reports that chapters have sent in an additional $8,146 in redress pledge money, reducing the outstanding amount to approximately $58,000. He thanks chapters for their continued support and urges further contributions toward fourth-year pledges.
• New MPDC Officers Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The JACL Mountain Plains District Council elected Steve Hasegawa as new governor during its weekend meeting, succeeding Paul Shinkawa. The meeting also featured a redress update from LEC Director Grayce Uyehara and a workshop on aging led by psychologist Toaru Ishiyama.

Incarceration & Redress

• Newspapers Comment on Redress Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the government’s appeal in the NCJAR class action suit, major newspapers including the Washington Post, Fresno Bee, and Honolulu Advertiser published editorials on the redress issue. The editorials generally supported allowing internees’ claims to be heard and discussed the merits of a congressional reparations bill.

Sports

• Runners in JACL-Sponsored Event Try to ‘Conquer’ Bridge, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Over 2,600 runners participated in the first annual Marina/Gardena JACL ‘Conquer the Bridge’ run across the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. Steve Ortiz and Sylvia Mosqueda won the men’s and women’s divisions respectively, with proceeds benefiting the San Pedro Library, East West Players, and the Japanese American National Museum.

In-Depth

• Book Review: Conference Proceedings on Relocation and Redress, by Harry Honda, page 11. A review of a University of Utah Press book compiling proceedings from the 1983 International Conference on Relocation and Redress, examining lesser-known aspects of Japanese American internment and its impact on the Intermountain West. The collection includes articles from notable authors such as Bill Hosokawa, John Tateishi, and Gordon Hirabayashi, along with letters from redress opponents John J. McCloy and Karl Bendetsen.

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