Vol. 101, No. 19, November 8, 1985. 12 pages. View this issue
Redress and the work behind it ran through this 12-page issue. Sen. Spark Matsunaga voiced disappointment with President Reagan’s nominees to the Institute of Peace board, and the front page followed two discrimination cases: testimony in Dr. F. Carole Fujita’s case against LA County, and a settlement in Dr. Jessie Furukawa’s case against the California Dept. of Education. Inside, Harry Kajihara laid out the JACL-LEC fund drive plan, Cherry Kinoshita called for unity between LEC and JACL leadership, and William Hohri wrote that NCJAR’s redress lawsuit was a broad movement of many people. Brenda Paik Sunoo reported on Soh Kyung Sik’s tour of the U.S. on behalf of his imprisoned brothers in South Korea.
Also inside: a January 1986 dinner to honor Japanese American lawmakers, Tom Nakao on developing young Sansei leaders, and Bill Hosokawa on sculptor Alice Tsuyako Kaneko’s bronze work. Community news covered construction of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, and a panel on the absence of Asian men in television roles ran on the last page.
What’s in this issue
National
- Matsunaga Unhappy With Appointees to Peace Institute, page 1. Sen. Spark Matsunaga expressed disappointment with President Reagan’s nominees for the Institute of Peace’s board of directors during Senate hearings. He criticized the lack of diversity among nominees, noting no women, business leaders, labor leaders, or civil rights leaders were included, and no representation from the Midwest or South.
- Testimony Heard in Fujita Sex Discrimination Case, page 1. Dr. F. Carole Fujita’s sex discrimination case against LA County went before the Civil Service Commission, with testimony showing no woman has been promoted above Pharmacy Supervisor I despite women making up 40% of county pharmacists. Attorneys argued the promotion evaluation process was unfair and that the rater was unqualified and biased.
- Settlement Reached in Furukawa Case, page 1. A settlement was reached in Dr. Jessie Furukawa’s discrimination case against the California Dept. of Education, though terms remain confidential. Furukawa and supporters, including the Justice for Jessie Committee, expressed satisfaction with the outcome after a two-year fight.
- Korean Takes Brothers’ Cause to U.S., by Brenda Paik Sunoo, page 1. Soh Kyung Sik traveled across the U.S. advocating for his brothers Soh Sung and Soh Joon Shik, Korean political prisoners held for over 14 years in South Korea on alleged spy charges. He revealed ongoing torture of his brother Soh Sung and sought support from peace groups and Congress to secure their release.
- Fundraiser to Honor JA Lawmakers, page 7. Pacific Southwest District JACL will hold a national kick-off dinner in January 1986 at the Bonaventure Hotel to raise funds for LEC, honoring Sens. Inouye and Matsunaga and Reps. Mineta and Matsui for their redress contributions. The event aims to support lobbying for redress bills S 1053 and HR 442.
- Grant Given for Mail-Order Bride Study, page 7. JACL received a $2,000 grant from the Presbyterian Church USA to support the Women’s Concerns Committee’s investigation into mail-order bride catalogue businesses. The committee issued a report condemning such businesses for dehumanizing Asian women and the JACL National Board passed a motion opposing them.
Community
- JCCCNC Reaches Halfway Mark, page 2. Construction of the main building of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California is more than half completed, with opening expected spring 1986. A community campaign led by Yori Wada has raised $1.7 million toward the $3 million project.
- Asian Films to be Screened in D.C., page 2. Asian American Arts and Media, Inc. and the Organization of Pan Asian Women will host a film festival Nov. 23 at the Biograph Theatre featuring works by Asian and Asian American filmmakers. The program includes documentaries and dramas covering topics from Cambodian dance to Taiwanese puppetry.
- Memorial Fund Set Up for Air Crash Victims, page 2. A memorial fund was established for Aimee Hironaka and her daughter Anne, killed in the Delta Flight 191 crash in Dallas. The fund will provide a library corner, scholarships, and other memorials at Monterey Highlands School.
- Nikkei History Book Due for Release, page 2. Japanese American Curriculum Project’s first publication, Japanese American Journey: The Story of a People, is due for release Nov. 30, dedicated to the late Edison Uno. The book profiles eleven notable Japanese Americans and includes historical photographs and short stories.
- First Asian Woman on Seattle PD Finds Work Rewarding, page 3. Tami Aoyama became Seattle’s first Asian woman police officer after completing training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Academy. She finds satisfaction in serving the community after overcoming early struggles with physical training requirements.
- Family Album Project Receives Grant, page 3. The Japanese American Family Album Project received a $140,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for its traveling exhibit ‘Turning Leaves’ exploring family photo albums. The exhibit will open at UC Berkeley’s Lowie Museum in January 1987 and travel to multiple cities.
- Chapter News Briefs, page 6. Brief news items cover Carson chapter’s Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot Bowling, Reno chapter’s installation dinner, Pasadena chapter’s successful redress fundraiser booth, San Diego chapter’s installation dinner featuring speaker Gil Ontai, and Chicago JACLers’ reappointment to Mayor Washington’s Advisory Committee on Asian American Affairs.
- CCDC Holds 36th Annual Convention, page 7. Central California District Council holds its 36th annual convention Nov. 16 at the Fresno Hilton, featuring workshops on aging, leadership, and U.S.-Japan relations. Keynote speaker Minoru Yasui will address redress, and a panel will discuss the upcoming ‘U.S. on Trial’ mini-series on the JA WW2 experience.
- Christmas Cheer: 1984, page 9. The December 1984 Christmas Cheer program, administered by the Pan Asian chapter and PSW District Council, was a tremendous success thanks to generous donors. The article thanks contributors who donated money and time despite the financial pressures of the holiday season.
Commentary
- Yonju Kinen, page 4. A columnist reflects on attending the 40th anniversary celebration of the Seabrook Buddhist Church, recalling childhood memories of Buddhist ceremonies and noting the community spirit that built the temple. The piece also highlights guests who traveled from Japan and Connecticut for the event.
- Getting Your News in the News, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 4. The columnist offers practical advice to readers on how to get their community news published in the Pacific Citizen, including sending press releases to the correct address and accounting for the paper’s weekly deadline. He explains regional mail delays and urges chapters to send newsletters first class.
- It’s Not Just Me, by William Hohri, page 4. William Hohri responds to Judge Marutani’s column, emphasizing that NCJAR’s redress lawsuit represents a broad movement of many individuals rather than a one-man effort. He credits supporters like the Herzigs and various activists and lawyers who contributed research and legal work to the cause.
- Holiday Issue Plea, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. The columnist makes a personal appeal to JACL chapters to submit their Holiday Issue ads early, noting past production difficulties from late submissions. This year’s Holiday Issue theme is ‘Interracial Families—Interracial Children,’ and photo submissions are being solicited.
- Attn: Merchant Marines, by Ian A. Millar, page 5. A letter writer seeks to contact Japanese American or Japanese Canadian veterans who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine or Canadian Merchant Navy during WW2 for a research project. The resulting article on their experiences will be made available to interested parties.
- Congrats, PC, by Peggy Nagae, page 5. A letter writer congratulates Pacific Citizen on its recent award, praising the depth and variety of its coverage. She notes this perspective helps position JACL as a pan-Asian, multiracial organization important for combating institutionalized racism.
In-Depth
- Artistic Tribute, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recalls visiting sculptor Alice Tsuyako Kaneko’s art show and describes her bronze work ‘Freedom is Fragile,’ depicting the trauma of the WW2 Evacuation. A reader suggested commissioning Tsuyako to create bronzes honoring JACL’s history and pioneer presidents, though funding remains a challenge.
- Influencing Foreign Policy, by Yasumasa Kuroda, page 8. Michael Yoshitsu was appointed North American Deputy Director of the Trilateral Commission, becoming one of the first Japanese Americans to represent the U.S. in dealings with Japan. The article traces his career path from aspiring international lawyer to political science professor before landing this influential foreign policy role.
JACL
- Call for Unity, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 5. Cherry Kinoshita clarifies the background and funding history of the Legislative Education Committee (LEC) and its relationship to JACL’s redress program, addressing concerns about fund-raising shortfalls. She calls for unity between LEC and JACL leadership to support the redress lobbying effort, crediting Grayce Uyehara’s dedication as interim LEC Director.
- Leadership Development, by Tom Nakao, page 5. Tom Nakao discusses problems in JACL’s development of young Sansei leaders, arguing they are often given too much responsibility too soon, leading to burnout. He proposes a mentor system pairing Nisei leaders with emerging Sansei leaders to develop them gradually.
- LEC Fund Drive Plan, by Harry Kajihara, page 6. Harry Kajihara outlines the JACL-LEC fund drive plan to raise $1.5 million over three years for the redress legislative effort, detailing the prime solicitor network and keyperson structure. The plan includes specific fundraising strategies and targets for different groups within the organization.
Obituaries
- Former Seabrook Farms Manager Dies, page 7. Marion Glaesser, who helped resettle many Japanese Americans during and after WW2 as office manager at Seabrook Farms, died August 15 at Erie County Medical Center. She was instrumental in organizing the largest Issei naturalization ceremony in the United States, involving about 160 Issei.
Incarceration & Redress
- Soh Brothers Case Draws International Attention Ahead of 1988 Olympics, by Brenda Paik Sunoo, page 8. This continuation details the Soh brothers’ long imprisonment in South Korea since 1971 on alleged spy charges, with Amnesty International documenting their status as prisoners of conscience. Soh Kyung Sik seeks support from U.S. lawmakers like Rep. Stephen Solarz to pressure South Korea ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Arts & Entertainment
- Asian Men: Who Wants Them?, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 12. A panel of Asian American men working in television discussed the lack of Asian male representation in TV roles like game show hosts and anchors, attributing it to damaging stereotypes of Asian men as unemotional and non-charismatic. Panelists Mario Machado, Frank Kwan, Sam Chu Lin, and Gene Leong also discussed internal community factors and hopes for future change as more Asians enter the industry.
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