Vol. 91, No. 14, November 7, 1980. 8 pages. View this issue
Maya Hasegawa, who ran Virginia’s equal employment opportunity office, filed discrimination charges against her boss after being passed over for a director post. She alleged the state’s top personnel officer wanted to hire a less-qualified black applicant. The front page also carried news that Leslie Kim Kawai of Pasadena was chosen 1981 Tournament of Roses queen, and Kats Kunitsugu’s review of the film ‘Hito Hata: Raise the Banner’.
Inside are JACL chapter news and commentary: Harry Honda’s column on the new National JACL President, Dr. Jim Tsujimura, and Jim Nishizaka’s letter comparing the three convention candidates to the 1980 presidential race. Bill Hosokawa writes about Issei families in Bend, Ore., and Bruce K. Shimizu recaps the National Youth Conference in Sacramento. A letter recalls conditions at the Santa Anita assembly center.
What’s in this issue
National
- Nikkei EEO Office Manager in Virginia Passed Over, Alleges Bias, page 1. A Japanese American woman working for Virginia’s EEO office filed discrimination charges against her boss after being passed over for a director position. She alleges the agency head wanted to hire a black candidate instead and is seeking $275,000 in damages.
Community
- Pasadena Sansei Wins ’81 Rose Parade Crown, page 1. Leslie Kim Kawai, 18, was chosen as the 1981 Tournament of Roses queen, becoming the first minority titlist in the 92-year history of the pageant. Her family has deep ties to Pasadena, including her grandfather who helped build the Japanese gardens at Huntington Library and her father’s connection to Jackie Robinson at Pasadena City College.
- ‘Shogun’, ‘Roots’ Discounted by Teachers in Ethnics Conference, page 2. The National Council on Ethnic Heritage Studies Consortium met in San Francisco to discuss ethnic heritage programs and raised questions about popular media representations. JACL representatives criticized ‘Shogun’ as entertainment rather than education, while panelists noted similar concerns about ‘Roots’ from Black Studies perspectives.
- Nikkei Woman Heads State Commission, page 2. Irene Y. Hirano, director of THE Clinic in Los Angeles, was elected chairperson of the California Commission on the Status of Women. She plans to study equal pay issues and continue programs on educational equity, women’s health, and violence against women.
- Fong Jr. Spared Recall Election, page 2. A petition to recall Honolulu Councilman Hiram Fong Jr. fell short of the required signatures. Had it succeeded, Fong would have been the first city councilman to ever face recall.
- Navy Intelligence Specialist Ishikawa Named Wizard of the Quarter, page 2. Navy Intelligence Specialist SP2C John Ishikawa was selected as the Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Facility’s Wizard of the Quarter in Kami Seya, Japan. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Moffet Ishikawa of San Jose and graduated from UC Berkeley before enlisting in the Navy.
- Eunice Sato Attends USC Pilot Program for Elected Women, page 2. Mayor Eunice Sato of Long Beach and City Clerk of Beverly Hills attended a pilot program at USC for elected and management women in local government. The program was funded by HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research.
- Masuoka Honored by Japanese Government, page 2. A retired minister of Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Betsuin was decorated by the Japanese government on Culture Day with the 5th Order of the Sacred Treasure. The honor recognized his contributions to the community.
- Monterey Peninsula JACL Picnic a Success, page 3. The annual Monterey Peninsula JACL picnic at Toro Park drew a turnout of 135 people including 16 Issei members. The event featured steaks and all the trimmings on a beautiful day.
- Seabrook JACL Year-End Events, page 3. Seabrook JACL has planned a series of year-end events starting with a senior citizen appreciation night. Additional details on upcoming chapter activities were outlined in the brief.
- Milwaukee All Set for Holiday Folk Fair, page 3. Milwaukee JACL will participate in the 37th annual Holiday Folk Fair with a sales booth, continuing a tradition dating back to 1955. Charlie Matsumoto chairs this year’s effort, which includes a dance group practicing the Tanko Bushi.
Arts & Entertainment
- ‘Hito Hata: Raise the Banner’, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 1. The first feature-length film written, produced, directed and acted by Asian Americans premiered at the Ahmanson Theater to a nearly sold-out crowd. The reviewer found the film’s portrayal of the Issei unconvincing and misleading, criticizing its episodic storytelling and victim-focused narrative despite praising Mako’s acting and Nakamura’s documentary-style direction.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei Vets to Head Sac’to Parade, page 2. Sacramento will hold its Veterans Day parade and capitol ceremonies on Nov. 10 honoring Japanese Americans who served. Medal of Honor winner Hershey Miyamura will lead the ceremonies with many Nisei veterans from across the state participating.
JACL
- Hawaii Lt. Gov. King to Keynote CCDC Convention, page 3. The Central California District Council of JACL will hold its convention in Fresno with Hawaii Lt. Gov. King as keynote speaker. A special panel on Asian identity will be held along with a dinner expecting over 500 attendees.
- Marin County JACL Installation, page 3. Marin County JACL will hold its installation dinner with National JACL Biennium leader John Tateishi presiding. Reservations are being taken for a choice of prime rib or chicken Toscana entrees.
- San Jose JACL Installation Dinner Features Duane Kubo, page 3. Duane Kubo, co-director of Visual Communication’s ‘Hito Hata: Raise the Banner’, will be guest speaker at the San Jose JACL installation dinner. Rep. Norman Mineta will serve as toastmaster for the event at Zorba’s Restaurant.
- CCDC Issei Memorial Hall Endorsed, page 3. Past governors of the Central California JACL district council endorsed a proposed Issei memorial hall designed to serve as both a cultural and community center. Architect Mark Oba is seeking community input to shape the design.
Commentary
- Chapter Newsletters Show JACL’s Community Impact, by Harry Honda, page 4. The editor reviews JACL chapter newsletters from Milwaukee and Cincinnati, highlighting how chapters serve their communities through volunteer efforts like helping a bride-to-be with document translation. The column also discusses available slide sets on Japan available through JACL speaker Barry Saiki and reflects on recent events including the Hito Hata premiere.
- Letter: JACL Convention Candidates Forum Compared to Presidential Race, by Jim Nishizaka, page 4. A letter writer compares the three candidates at the JACL National Convention candidates’ forum to the 1980 presidential candidates. He draws parallels between Shimasaki and Reagan, Kimura and Anderson, and concludes Tsujimura would be JACL’s version of Carter.
- Letter: Inside Santa Anita – Recalling Assembly Center Conditions, page 4. A letter writer recalls the harsh conditions at the Santa Anita assembly center, where his family was housed in a horse stable before being sent to relocation centers. He contrasts this experience with the relatively better conditions depicted in camp films and reflects on the sewage problems and prejudice faced during the period.
- President, by Harry Honda, page 4. A column discusses the challenges of serving as National JACL President, noting that Dr. Jim Tsujimura’s willingness to share his views on diverse topics beyond strict JACL business will help members understand him better. The piece argues that understanding the person leading JACL is a step toward understanding the organization itself.
- A Checkbook, Shoes and Shirts, by Sachi Seko, page 4. A humorous column about a mother’s relationship with her materialistic adult son, who views her checkbook as a tool for instant gratification and constantly needs new designer clothing. The piece reflects on what truly matters in life versus material possessions through a day of laundry and quiet reflection.
- Cold Sweat and Clammy Hands, by Bill Marutani, page 5. A humorous column describes the anxiety of teaching a teenage daughter to drive using the family car. The author details his fears during the driving lesson but reports that his daughter ultimately passed her driving test successfully.
In-Depth
- Pioneer Issei Families of Bend, Ore., by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. The column recounts the story of Issei families who settled in central Oregon, particularly the Kanno/Kinase family, who faced prejudice but built a life through farming and greenhouse businesses. The family endured hardship during WWII internment but maintained strong bonds, with the matriarch living to age 91 and still riding horses in her later years.
- JACL National Youth Conference Revisited, by Bruce K. Shimizu, page 6. A detailed recap of the 1980 National Youth Conference held at Cal State Sacramento, featuring speakers like Jerry Enomoto, Yuji Ichioka, and Roger Daniels discussing Japanese American history and current issues. The conference included workshops on redress, communications, grantsmanship, and culminated in electing a new National Youth Council Chairperson and discussions about merging JAYs into JACL.
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