Vol. 97, No. 1, July 1, 1983. 8 pages. View this issue
The Pacific Citizen’s July 1, 1983 issue followed redress as it moved from a commission’s findings to bills in Congress. Sen. Alan Cranston and Rep. Michael Lowry introduced legislation calling for $20,000 payments to surviving camp victims, as recommended by the CWRIC. Rep. Norman Mineta told the New York Times it could take up to six years for Congress to act, and Harry Honda’s new column profiled Mineta’s record on civil rights. The front page also covered protests by Asian and Mexican groups against a Time magazine cover story on immigrants in Los Angeles, and warnings at a Chicago news conference that trade friction was fueling anti-Asian prejudice.
Inside, four editorials reprinted in the Commentary section argued over the redress claims. Yori Wada was elected chair of the University of California board of regents. National JACL President Floyd Shimomura was named keynote speaker for the EDC-MDC convention in New York, and the paper announced a Tanabata festival in Little Tokyo for July 9 and 10.
What’s in this issue
National
- Asians Protest ‘Biased’ Portrayal of Immigrants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Time magazine cover story on immigrants in Los Angeles County sparked protests from Asian and Mexican groups who say it unfairly portrayed Koreans, Mexicans and other minorities. Time officials said the protesters were overreacting, while sociologist Harry Kitano denied making the derogatory comments attributed to him and said he received hate calls and death threats afterward.
- Job Bias Cases in L.A. Asian Community Still Growing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Asian Pacific Legal Defense and Education Fund continues to field a growing number of employment discrimination cases in the Los Angeles Asian Pacific community. Cases include professor Arthur Wakita’s harassment complaint, Dr. Ford Kuramoto’s grievance, instructor Francis Torii’s workplace issues, and Felix Babauta’s discrimination claim at a naval shipyard.
Incarceration & Redress
- Rising Tide of Anti-Japanese Prejudice in U.S. Due to America’s Economic Conflict Assailed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At a Chicago news conference, Rep. Norman Mineta and other leaders warned that trade friction between the U.S. and Japan is fueling anti-Asian racism, citing the Vincent Chin case and an attack on a Vietnamese student in Davis, Ca. Officials called for a national dialogue and public hearings to address discrimination against Asian Americans.
- Bills Seek Compensation for WW2 Internees, by Special to Pacific Citizen, page 1. Sen. Alan Cranston and Rep. Michael Lowry introduced redress legislation in Congress, with Lowry’s bill calling for $20,000 payments to each of an estimated 60,000 surviving internment camp victims as recommended by the CWRIC. Co-sponsors included 24 House members, while an aide to Sen. Pete Wilson indicated he would not support general compensation given budget concerns.
- May Take 6 Years to Provide Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta told the New York Times it could take up to six years for Congress to act on CWRIC recommendations for compensating Japanese Americans interned during WW2. A Cranston aide said the outcome of the redress legislation would be difficult to predict.
- CWRIC Recommendations Leaked Ahead of Schedule, Prompting Early Press Conference, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Sacramento Bee’s early release of CWRIC recommendation details forced Commission chair Joan Bernstein to hold an unplanned press conference on June 16 to confirm the findings. The leak also allowed Sen. Cranston and Rep. Lowry to announce their redress bills on June 22, the date originally intended for the CWRIC announcement itself.
Commentary
- Mineta Leads the Way, by Harry Honda, page 1. In his new column, Harry Honda profiles Rep. Norman Mineta’s long record fighting for civil rights and redress for Japanese Americans, including his role in co-sponsoring HR 3877 and earlier legislation like PL 95-382. The column highlights Mineta’s criticism of Harvard’s naming of a program after John J. McCloy and his work on the Vincent Chin case and an Asian Pacific American Democratic caucus.
- By the Board: Thoughts on Armament, by Miki Himeno, page 4. A League of Women Voters member reflects on a study of national security and concludes that as long as men lead nations in decisions of war and peace, lasting world peace is unlikely because armament is too ‘macho’ a game. She argues that both men and women can embody strength without needing to be entirely ‘macho,’ and that this quality could help save nations.
- A Central Cal Perspective, by Fred Hirasuna, page 4. Responding to points raised by Henry Sakai, Fred Hirasuna addresses topics including the impact of large agribusiness on Japanese American farmers, farm subsidies, U.S.-Japan trade relations, racist terminology, and the Simpson-Mazzoli immigration bill. He argues most of the claims about Japanese American farmers being harmed by large corporate agriculture or subsidies are not well-founded in the San Joaquin Valley.
- Japanese Americans’ Claims, by Mas Hironaka, page 4. A reprinted San Diego Tribune editorial examines the constitutional basis for Japanese American redress claims, comparing the wartime relocation to other instances where the government suspended civil liberties. It concludes that government may never violate minority rights except under clear and present danger, and that failing to act risks a constitutional challenge.
- The Last Battle of World War II, by Mas Imon, page 4. A reprinted L.A. Herald Examiner editorial supports the $20,000 redress payments recommended by the CWRIC as symbolic acknowledgment of wrongs done to Japanese Americans during WW2. It expresses concern about delays in congressional action given that many survivors are elderly and dying, urging immediate action to repay aging camp survivors.
- The $20,000 Question, by Bob Hirata, page 4. A reprinted San Jose Mercury editorial argues that the U.S. government owes an apology and $20,000 compensation to the roughly 60,000 surviving internment camp victims, as recommended by the CWRIC. It states that while no amount can fully compensate for the losses suffered, the payment carries important symbolic weight acknowledging the injustice of wartime internment.
- Pepperpot: Two Sides of the Nikkei, by Randolph T. Shibata, page 5. A young JACL member reflects on both positive and troubling experiences at a JACL District function in the Rockies, describing warm hospitality alongside incidents of bigotry displayed by some Nikkei toward a Caucasian friend. He argues that JACL must be a genuine human rights advocacy organization that accepts all people and sees redress as a cause for all peoples, not just Japanese Americans.
- Asian American Journalists Association Nurtures Future Talent, by Bill Marutani, page 5. The column profiles the Asian American Journalists Association, founded by Southern California media professionals including Tritia Toyota and Bill Sing, which provides scholarships to Asian Americans studying journalism. Last year the organization awarded nearly $6,000 to 10 students, funded in part by a benefit featuring Tom Brokaw as speaker.
- From Pacific Southwest: June 18, 1983, by John Saito, page 6. John Saito recounts attending a rally at Los Angeles City Hall for Vincent Chin, describing the crowd of speakers including Secretary of State March Fong Eu and Mayor Tom Bradley addressing injustice and Asian American unity. Attorney Fred Fujioka warned about a hate message recorded in San Francisco targeting Asian Americans.
Community
- Dills Urges Alameda Help Nikkei, by P.C. Staff, page 2. State Sen. Ralph Dills urged Alameda County’s board of supervisors to pass an ordinance providing restitution to county employees of Japanese descent who were dismissed and interned in 1942. Dills argued these employees were deprived of their liberty, property and employment rights.
- Racial Slur in Play Protested, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Nikkei attendee at a San Dimas high school production of ‘Grease’ objected to racial slurs against Japanese people in the play. Jane Tomi Yamashita wrote to a local newspaper reminding the school of its responsibility to instill respect for civil liberties and human rights in students.
- Puyallup Honors Grads, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Thirty-two graduates were honored at the Puyallup Valley JACL banquet in Tacoma, Washington, with KING-TV’s Lori Matsukawa as guest speaker. Dr. Paul Ellis and his wife Edna received the National JACL Sapphire Pin, while Issei community leader Shigeru Masugi received the Distinguished Community Service award.
JACL
- Yori Wada to Chair UC Board of Regents, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yori Wada became the first minority chair of the University of California board of regents, elected 16-1 at the June 17 meeting at UCLA. His candidacy was initially controversial due to his lack of fundraising experience and his outspoken stance against the university’s nuclear weapons labs, but outgoing UC president David Saxon and others backed him.
- Shimomura to Keynote EDC-MDC Parley in N.Y., by P.C. Staff, page 5. National JACL President Floyd Shimomura will keynote the joint EDC-MDC convention August 11-14 in New York, featuring five workshops on redress, Asian American workplace issues, U.S.-Japan relations and pan-Asian dialogue. The convention theme is ‘Make Our Move,’ with registration and hotel details provided for attendees.
- Video Producer for Aging Project Named, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Emiko Omori, a Nisei cinematographer, was named producer of the National JACL Aging & Retirement Committee’s video project on Nisei aging, continuing work begun by the late Henry Ushijima. The video, scheduled for late fall release, aims to initiate planning for positive experiences in later life for Nisei.
Arts & Entertainment
- Tanabata Festival in Little Tokyo July 9-10, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The annual Tanabata festival will take place at Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo, featuring a taiko concert, classical Japanese dances, colorful kusudama decorations, Ennichi sidewalk sale booths, and children’s games. The event runs July 9-10.
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.