JACL’s 1988 agenda and the push for redress bill S. 1009

Vol. 106, No. 6, February 12, 1988. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen’s February 12, 1988 issue opened with JACL’s plans for the year. Harry K. Honda reported on the Pacific Southwest district’s 1988 programs and on J.D. Hokoyama, who attended the national board meeting as district governor. Redress ran through the issue: Grayce Uyehara wrote that a Senate vote on S. 1009 was expected soon, and a news item on White House letters described the administration’s stated opposition to the Civil Liberties Act. Other front-page stories covered UCLA professor Don Nakanishi’s tenure grievance, an apology to Korean American leaders from a Rolling Stone editor, and the death of Karen Chikako Toshima in Westwood.

Inside are Norman Mineta’s naming as a Dukakis co-chair in California and a review of Mike Masaoka’s autobiography by Lane R. Hirabayashi. The commentary pages include a debate between Ben Matsuoka and Vince Tajiri, plus columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani and George Johnston. The arts page reviews “Utamaro: The Musical.”

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Pacific Southwest JACL Programs for ’88 Unfolded, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. J.D. Hokoyama led the PSWDC session where new committees, trust fund leadership changes, and 1988 programs including census planning and leadership retreats were outlined. The meeting also addressed upcoming National JACL board discussions on dues, membership, and budget.’
• Playwright Award Given in Memory of Schaar, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The New York JACL chapter will present the second biennial Ruby Yoshino Schaar Playwright Award in 1988, honoring the late chapter president and activist. The $2,000 award recognizes playwrights, following first winner Akemi Kikumura whose play premiered in Seattle.
• Omaha CL to Host MPDC Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Mountain Plains District Council spring session in Omaha will feature a workshop on multicultural education by Mako Nakagawa and an installation speech by Mollie Fujioka, who is running for national JACL presidency. Registration and hotel details are provided for the March 11-12 event.
• Nat’l JACL Credit Union Slates Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National JACL Credit Union will hold its 4th annual meeting in Salt Lake City, having declared a 6% dividend plus 1% bonus for the last quarter of 1987. The Intermountain District Council will also meet earlier that day.
• Slide Presentation a ‘Hit’, by Harry Honda, page 8. Professor Don Estes’s slide presentation on Japanese American history was well received at the Riverside JACL installation dinner, featuring images of Issei immigrants and their families. William Takano was re-elected chapter president for a second term.

National

• Professor Wins Grievance Against UCLA, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. UCLA professor Don Nakanishi won his grievance claiming discriminatory treatment in his tenure denial, with the Committee on Privilege and Tenure agreeing procedural improprieties occurred. A new review process with unbiased committee members is being negotiated with UCLA administration.
• Stones Thrown, Cast Back; Apology Results from Editor, by George Johnston, page 1. Rolling Stone’s executive editor Robert Wallace traveled to Los Angeles to apologize after Korean American community leaders condemned an article containing racist stereotypes about Koreans. Community representatives demanded a retraction, hiring of Asian American writers, and programs to promote sensitivity to minority issues.
• Robertson Charges ‘Master Race’ Plot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Presidential candidate Pat Robertson accused Planned Parenthood of pursuing a ‘master race’ agenda, claiming founder Margaret Sanger advocated sterilization of minorities. Planned Parenthood’s president dismissed the charge as familiar televangelist rhetoric.
• Fujiyoshi Leaves Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ronald Fujiyoshi, a longtime fingerprint refuser protesting Japan’s discriminatory alien fingerprinting laws, left Japan to care for his ailing father-in-law. He had previously conducted a hunger strike in 1987 to protest the policies.
• Norman Mineta Named Dukakis California Co-Chair, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Norman Mineta was named state co-chair of the California Dukakis Leadership Group by presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. Mineta praised Dukakis’s substance and committed to building grassroots support in California ahead of the Democratic convention.

Community

• Nikkei Woman Shot, Killed—Suspect Arrested, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Karen Chikako Toshima, 27, died after being caught in gang-related crossfire in Westwood; police arrested suspect Durrell DeWitt Collins. Black community leaders accused LAPD of racism for devoting more resources to this case than to gang violence in Black communities.
• San Diego Gears for ’90 Natl JACL Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Diego JACL will hold its annual membership meeting to introduce the community to plans for the 1990 National JACL Convention at Mission Bay. The chapter will also show the film ‘Wataridori’ as part of its Day of Remembrance program.
• Newsmakers, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Brief items highlight achievements of several Japanese Americans including musician Glenn Horiuchi’s album release, Deputy John Fukuda’s honor cadet certificate, Frank Sato’s retirement from the VA, and Nao Takasugi’s appointment to a California security board. Also mentioned are promotions and career updates for Mark Matsunaga and Alisa Gyse.

Commentary

• Bird’s Rhyming Debut, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird debuted as a TV commentator with a poem about Japanese American internment on KGO-TV. The commentary drew about 60 phone calls, mostly negative toward Bird.’
• Editorial of the Pacific Citizen: Our New Readers in ZIP 967—, 968—, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial highlights dramatic growth in Hawaii subscriptions to the Pacific Citizen, rising 267% from 1986 to 1987 due to SRS recruitment efforts. A detailed breakdown of readership by Hawaiian post office and county is provided.
• Letters to the Editor: Questions Answered, by Yosh Nakashima, page 4. National Vice President Yosh Nakashima responds to concerns about JACL finances and personnel policy, assuring members the organization’s financial position has improved due to redress repayment, membership recruitment, and budget cuts. He urges members to focus on membership growth rather than personnel debates.
• Vince Tajiri’s ‘Bad Americanism’, by Ben Matsuoka, page 4. A reader letter criticizes author Vince Tajiri’s epilogue to his story ‘The Bird Pines’ as disrespectful to Nisei veterans who fought in WWII. The letter accuses Tajiri of ‘bad Americanism’ for his portrayal of a volunteer soldier known as Cubby.
• Tajiri Responds, by Vince Tajiri, page 4. Vince Tajiri defends his story and epilogue, detailing his family’s extensive military service across multiple generations and wars to counter accusations of disloyalty. He argues that nationalism became obsolete after Hiroshima and that his Americanism is rooted in the principle that all men are created equal.
• Changing Times, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa recounts attending a lavish Japanese Chamber of Commerce New Year banquet in San Francisco, reflecting on the wealth and confidence of Japanese business executives. He contrasts this affluence with his memory of covering the 1951 peace treaty signing 37 years earlier.
• Chapter Newsletters, by George Johnston, page 4. Columnist George Johnston surveys various JACL chapter newsletters, praising their role in disseminating community news and recruiting members. He highlights the Marina, Selanoco, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Mile-Hi chapter newsletters for their quality and design.
• East Wind, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Columnist Bill Marutani reflects on reading local and Japanese newspapers while traveling, noting the high real estate prices in Tokyo’s Ginza district. He also discusses a tragic kidnapping case in Japan, noting it was the 155th ransom kidnapping since WWII.
• A Modest Proposal for the Reparations Debate, by David M. Tamashiro, page 5. Writer David Tamashiro proposes that if redress legislation fails, internees should voluntarily contribute 1% of their proposed settlement toward the national debt as a gesture of goodwill. He draws parallels to the sacrifice of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and suggests this could prompt government gratitude and eventual reparations.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Utamaro: The Musical’ Premieres in U.S., by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Taku Izumi’s all-Japanese-language musical about artist Kitagawa Utamaro made its U.S. premiere at the Japan America Theatre before touring to Washington and Nashville. The reviewer praised the music, choreography, and visual spectacle despite translation challenges.

Incarceration & Redress

• Letter Strongly Opposes Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two different White House form letters on redress legislation have circulated, with one from Thomas Griscom explicitly stating the administration opposes the Civil Liberties Act and may veto it. LEC chair Grant Ujifusa noted the letter reflects earlier Justice Department positions but no final presidential decision has been made.
• The Time Has Come for S. 1009, by Grayce Uyehara, page 3. JACL-LEC director Grayce Uyehara reports Senate vote on redress bill S. 1009 is expected soon, with Sen. Spark Matsunaga urging continued letter-writing campaigns before an April deadline. A list of non-cosponsoring senators is provided for targeted advocacy.

In-Depth

• He Always Worked Within the System, by Lane R. Hirabayashi, page 5. A book review of Mike Masaoka’s autobiography ‘They Call Me Moses Masaoka’ examines his pivotal and controversial role as JACL’s Washington lobbyist for over 40 years. The review critiques Masaoka’s wartime cooperation strategy and his failure to fully confront JACL’s role in reporting on ‘suspicious’ Issei during WWII.

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