Redress, Day of Remembrance events and the “Jpn.” bill

Vol. 102, No. 10, March 14, 1986. 8 pages. View this issue

Redress ran through the front page and much of the issue. Rep. Norman Mineta said the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings budget concerns were no obstacle to redress bill H.R. 442, and Walter Mondale lent his name to a JACL fundraising letter on the redress effort, calling the World War II incarceration (often called internment) an act without justification. The Pacific Citizen also reported on Day of Remembrance programs held on Feb. 19 in Salinas and in San Francisco’s Japantown, where the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke, and on a California Senate resolution marking the day. A Washington state bill could bring $5,000 payments to Nisei forced out of the Seattle School District in 1942. Reps. Mike Lowry and Mineta also circulated a letter urging support for “Jpn.” in place of a racial slur.

Elsewhere, the Commentary pages carried Denny Yasuhara on redress as JACL’s top priority, Bill Hosokawa on Japanese American humor, and J.K. Yamamoto on Ferdinand Marcos in Hawaii. Harry Kajihara reported on the JACL fund drive, and an arts item covered the Asian American International Film Festival.

What’s in this issue

National

• Letter Promoting ‘Jpn.’ Bill Circulated in House, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Reps. Mike Lowry and Norman Mineta circulated a letter urging colleagues to co-sponsor a resolution recognizing ‘Jpn.’ as the proper abbreviation for Japan instead of the slur ‘Jap.’ Rep. Sala Burton and Sen. Daniel Inouye have pledged support for the bill, authored at the request of the Pacific Northwest District JACL.
• Sanctuary for Marcos in Hawaii Debated, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. A public hearing in Honolulu on a resolution to deny deposed Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos sanctuary drew passionate testimony from opponents and supporters of the ousted leader. Critics warned Marcos could use his wealth to mount a counter-revolution, while supporters including a personal friend defended him as an asset to Hawaii.
• Mineta: Budget Bill No Obstacle to Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Norman Mineta said he remains committed to passage of redress bill H.R. 442 despite Gramm-Rudman-Hollings budget concerns, noting the bill’s costs are minor compared to the federal budget. Rep. Robert Matsui also reiterated support for the legislative approach over the class action lawsuit route to redress.

Incarceration & Redress

• Former School District Workers May Get Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Washington state bill authorizing cities to compensate Japanese Americans who lost jobs to wartime racial discrimination passed both the House and Senate and awaits the governor’s signature. The bill could result in $5,000 payments to Nisei forced to resign from the Seattle School District in 1942, 25 of whom are still alive.
• Script for 1987 Smithsonian Exhibit Revealed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Smithsonian Institution curators, after consulting with Go For Broke, Inc. and National JACL, released a revised script for a 1987 exhibit on Japanese Americans to coincide with the Constitution’s bicentennial. The exhibit will include a guard tower, barracks replica, and camp-made furniture, framed as the Constitution’s greatest failure.
• Camps Recalled, Vets Praised at Feb. 19 Program, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Several California chapters of JACL jointly sponsored a Day of Remembrance ceremony in Salinas on Feb. 19, where speakers condemned the wartime internment and praised Nisei veterans. Mayors and officials presented Day of Remembrance resolutions, and veterans including Lawson Sakai and Royal Manaka shared their wartime experiences.
• Jackson Speaks at Redress Event, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke at a Day of Remembrance program in San Francisco’s Japantown, linking the redress movement to human rights struggles worldwide. Other speakers included Navajo resident Violet Ashkey and representatives from NCRR and the Fred Korematsu coram nobis legal team.
• Feb. 19 Marked as Day of Remembrance in California Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 3. State Sen. Ralph Dills announced that his resolution proclaiming Feb. 19 a ‘Day of Remembrance’ was adopted by the California Senate. Sens. Milton Marks and David Roberti co-authored the resolution.

JACL

• Mondale Lends Name to JACL Solicitation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Vice President Walter Mondale signed a letter supporting JACL’s redress effort at the request of national president Frank Sato, describing the internment as ‘an act without justification’ rooted in racism and greed. The letter will be included in an upcoming JACL mailing to solicit membership and support for redress education.
• Fund Drive Proceeding toward Goal, by Harry Kajihara, page 6. Nine months into the three-year LEC fund drive, over 1,400 donors and 20 chapters have contributed more than $150,000, with several chapters and individuals setting fundraising records. Donors contributing $300 or more will receive a limited edition lithograph, ‘The Issei,’ donated by Pete Hironaka of the Dayton Chapter.

Community

• Community Group Seeks Director, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Asian American Resource Workshop in Boston is seeking an administrative director to manage fiscal operations, fundraising, and outreach for the nonprofit serving the New England Asian American community. The position pays $20,000-$22,000 depending on experience.
• Fujimoto of WLA College Reaches Favorable Settlement with District, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. M. Jack Fujimoto, whose demotion from West L.A. College president sparked community protests, reached an agreement with the LA Community College District Board of Trustees placing him on paid leave and then as assistant to the chancellor with presidential rank and salary. Community organizations and prominent officials including Reps. Matsui and Mineta had rallied to his defense.
• JA Studies Fellowship Offered, by P.C. Staff, page 3. UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center is offering a postdoctoral fellowship in Japanese American studies with a stipend of $18,000-$20,000 for a nine-month term. The fellow will conduct research toward a publishable book, teach a course, and present findings in a colloquium and public lecture.
• Chapter Pulse, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Greater L.A. Singles JACL announces its 2nd annual Partners Best golf tournament in Walnut, Calif. on April 27, with proceeds covering green fees, cart, prizes, and dinner. The New Mexico Chapter will hold a general meeting in Albuquerque featuring a potluck and discussion of Omatsuri plans and a children’s party.

Arts & Entertainment

• Asian American Film Festival Showcases New Works, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian American International Film Festival runs March 19-27 in San Francisco and Berkeley, featuring films including Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara’s ‘Gamu Gamu’ and works by Bob Nakamura, Karen Ishizuka, and others. A panel discussion with filmmakers and actors will follow screenings at UC Berkeley.

Commentary

• Still Top Priority, by Denny Yasuhara, page 4. In this ‘By the Board’ column, National JACL leader Denny Yasuhara responds to Vice President Yosh Nakashima’s prior articles, arguing that redress remains JACL’s highest priority and that the organization’s integrity is at stake. He contends redress cannot be viewed narrowly within JACL’s membership given the outside support and trust invested in the movement.
• Forced Relocation—1986, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. The columnist reflects on JACL’s inconsistent support for the Navajo and Hopi relocation issue at Big Mountain, contrasting Clifford Uyeda’s lone advocacy with the lack of broader JACL commitment. He also comments on Gedde Watanabe’s role in Ron Howard’s film ‘Gung Ho’ and announces upcoming changes to the column.
• Tickling the Funny Bone, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa explores whether Japanese Americans have a sense of humor, citing Tetsuden Kashima’s difficulty finding JA jokes for his university classes. He invites readers to submit Japanese American jokes and puns, offering a prize for the best submission.
• Ferdinand and Friend, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 5. The columnist criticizes Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi’s warm welcome of deposed Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, noting Marcos still behaves as if he remains head of state. The piece highlights Marcos’ ongoing political ambitions and the wealth and repression associated with his regime, despite Ariyoshi’s rosy portrayal.
• ‘JA Journey’ a Bad Trip, by Raymond Okamura, page 5. Okamura critiques the book ‘Japanese American Journey’ as a revival of the ‘model minority’ myth, criticizing its Wasp-oriented perspective and its placement of Pearl Harbor out of historical sequence to justify internment. He acknowledges some redeeming literary content but argues the book reinforces a melting-pot ideology at odds with cultural pluralism.
• An Uncommon Judge, by Philadelphia Inquirer (reprint), page 5. This reprinted editorial praises Judge William Marutani’s integrity and fairness on the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court as he steps down, criticizing a judicial system tainted by political financial influence. Marutani’s departure is portrayed as a loss for a court system in need of more judges like him.

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