California’s English-only Proposition 63 and the Nakasone remarks

Vol. 103, No. 15, October 10, 1986. 8 pages. View this issue

The front page carried two stories that ran through the whole issue: the legislative hearings on Proposition 63, the California English-only initiative, and the fallout from Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone’s remarks about Blacks and Hispanics. Former Sen. S.I. Hayakawa defended the measure while JACL’s Ron Wakabayashi and Attorney General John Van de Kamp testified against it. The Pacific Citizen also reported on concern that the Nakasone backlash could reach Japanese Americans, with a column on page 4 and further coverage on page 8.

Also inside: marathon winner Michiko “Miki” Gorman as honorary marshal of the Marina and Gardena chapters’ Conquer the Bridge 8K Run, and an update from four redress groups at a meeting in San Francisco’s Japantown. Bill Hosokawa and Bob Shimabukuro wrote columns, and Gov. George Deukmejian wrote to President Reagan about the Japanese American National Museum.

What’s in this issue

Sports

• Marathon Winner Michiko Gorman May Make Comeback at JACL Bridge Run, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two-time Boston and New York Marathon winner Michiko ‘Miki’ Gorman agreed to serve as honorary race marshal for the Marina and Gardena JACL chapters’ Conquer the Bridge 8K Run and may attempt her first U.S. comeback race. Gorman, who has been training since April after a four-year hiatus, discussed her history as a pioneering female distance runner and world record holder.’
• Runner May Make Comeback at JACL Event, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This continuation details Michiko Gorman’s career history, including her world record marathon times and the challenges of training after childbirth and a layoff. Gorman expressed confidence about returning to competitive racing despite a knee injury, motivated partly by her daughter’s encouragement.

National

• Hayakawa Defends, Officials Attack Initiative, by J.K. Yamamoto and Carole Hayashino, page 1. Proponents and opponents of Proposition 63, the California English-only initiative, clashed at legislative hearings in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Former Sen. S.I. Hayakawa and California English chair Stanley Diamond defended the measure while JACL’s Ron Wakabayashi, Attorney General John Van de Kamp, and others testified against it.
• Nakasone Still Under Fire; Backlash May Affect JAs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone continues to face criticism for remarks suggesting Blacks and Hispanics lower U.S. intellectual levels, prompting a boycott call from the American G.I. Forum. Concerns are rising that the backlash could negatively affect Japanese Americans despite their lack of connection to the Japanese government’s actions.
• Proponents, Opponents Debate English Initiative, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Continuing coverage of Proposition 63 hearings details testimony from legislators, attorneys, and community representatives on both sides. Opponents including Attorney General John Van de Kamp and various legislators warned of litigation and harm to minority communities, while supporters like Assemblyman Frank Hill defended the measure as necessary to protect English’s status.
• Nakasone Remark: Protests From Blacks, Hispanics Continue, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Continued fallout from Nakasone’s remarks included criticism from Asian American community members in New York, statements from religious organizations, and reports of increased racial tension in the Bay Area. Acts of vandalism and hostile letters directed at Japanese Americans were also reported, though a cemetery vandalism incident was determined unrelated to the controversy.

Community

• Deukmejian Asks President to Support JA National Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California Gov. George Deukmejian, a new member of the Japanese American National Museum’s Honorary Fundraising Committee, wrote to President Reagan encouraging him to also support the museum. Deukmejian accepted the invitation from JANM President Bruce Kaji and sent a letter urging Reagan’s similar backing.
• East Coast Groups Forum to Look at Violence Against Asians, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A coalition of Asian American organizations sponsored a forum in New York addressing rising anti-Asian violence and community responses. The event featured a video on the Long Guang Huang case and presentations by activists from several organizations, moderated by New York JACL president Lillian Kimura.
• ‘Bridge Conquerers’ Sought, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 3. Organizers of the Conquer the Bridge 8K run, presented by Marina and Gardena JACL chapters, are seeking more runners for the Nov. 23 race over the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Chair Joyce Enomoto discussed how the event grew from a fundraising idea into a major event with proceeds benefiting numerous community organizations.
• L.A. Demos to Honor Mineta, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rep. Norman Mineta will be honored at a community-wide reception sponsored by the Japanese American Democratic Club of Los Angeles as he seeks his seventh congressional term. The reception will be held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center with tickets ranging from $10 to $100.
• Furutani Gets S.F. Support, by Jane Kaihatsu, page 6. Los Angeles School Board candidate Warren Furutani held his first Bay Area fundraiser, drawing over 50 supporters who connected with his history of activism dating back to the Vietnam War era. Furutani emphasized the need for community representation on the school board to challenge the status quo.
• San Francisco Mayor, San Jose Council Oppose Proposition 63, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein signed a resolution opposing Proposition 63, warning it could eliminate multilingual ballots and emergency information. The San Jose City Council also voted 8-1 to oppose the measure.
• Consul General Salutes Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese Consul General Taizo Watanabe paid tribute to Issei pioneers at the Sawtelle-Santa Monica luncheon reunion, praising their contributions despite WWII hardships. Commendations were presented to 30 pioneers over age 80, and historical slides of the community were screened.
• Amerasia Journal Now Available, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The current issue of ‘Amerasia Journal,’ themed ‘Contemporary Population Studies,’ is available through the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. The issue can be purchased for $3.50 plus postage directly from the center.

Commentary

• Caught in the Crossfire, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This column addresses the fallout from Nakasone’s remarks about Blacks and Hispanics, noting the danger to Japanese Americans being conflated with Japan’s government and the potential harm to the redress movement. It also covers updates on H.R. 442 co-sponsorship, the Jewish War Veterans’ support for redress, and a tribute to retiring Pacific Citizen staffer Jane Ozawa.
• That First Trip to Alaska, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reflects on his brother Rube’s recent luxury cruise to Alaska compared to Rube’s original 1930s trip as a cannery laborer aboard a crowded steerage-class steamer. The column recounts the harsh conditions, food, and memories triggered by a restaurant meal decades later.
• How to Ruin a Relationship, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. A humorous column explores the conflict between watching football and discussing relationship issues, offering satirical ‘advice’ on how couples might compromise or fail to compromise during football season. The piece ends with a tongue-in-cheek scenario of a relationship souring over a football game.

Incarceration & Redress

• Give Update on Redress, by Jane Kaihatsu, page 5. Representatives of four major redress organizations met in San Francisco’s Japantown to update supporters on their efforts to address WWII internment wrongs. Speakers included State Sen. Milton Marks, NCRR’s Mari Matsumoto, NCJAR’s William Hohri, and LEC’s Mollie Fujioka, along with an update on the coram nobis cases from attorney Bob Rusky and a guest appearance by Gordon Hirabayashi.

JACL

• Looking for Women Leaders, by Sandi Kawasaki, page 5. A workshop titled ‘Where Are the Asian American Women Leaders?’ co-sponsored by the PSW Women’s Concerns Committee and San Fernando Valley JACL will feature panelists including KCBS anchor Tritia Toyota. The author reflects on the scarcity of visible Asian American women leaders and the need for interaction with other organizations.
• Congressman to Speak at USC Asian Pacific Awards Banquet, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Rep. Robert Matsui will keynote the second annual USC Asian Pacific American Support Group Awards Dinner, which will honor four community leaders including Judge Robert Takasugi. The event will also announce 12 scholarship winners for 1986.

Military & Veterans

• Seattle Leader Kazama Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Donald Kazama, a longtime Seattle community activist and 24-year JACL member, died of cancer on Sept. 21. He served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as a medic during WWII and later dedicated his career to civil rights, education, and aging issues in the Japanese American community.

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