Vol. 103, No. 9, August 29, 1986. 8 pages. View this issue
The Pacific Citizen led with the cancellation of “Asians Now,” the long-running public affairs program on KTVU-TV in Oakland, reported by J.K. Yamamoto, with a follow-up on page 8 about the criticism it drew. The front page also carried Harry Honda’s report on Rep. Mel Levine’s support for redress bill H.R. 442, the Utah Republican primary win of M. Tom Shimizu, and the Los Angeles committee vote on renaming Weller Street in Little Tokyo for astronaut Ellison Onizuka. Rep. Norman Mineta’s warning that bigotry against Nikkei persists appeared on page 3.
Several pages looked back at the JACL national convention in Chicago: a photo album, a workshop on generational differences, and reflections from Yosh Nakashima, Meriko Mori and new editor Lynn Sakamoto-Chung. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the 1988 convention in Seattle and about Japanese American support for Asian-Pacific coalitions. Page 7 has a chapter roundup, and page 8 announces Japanese American Day with the Oakland A’s.
What’s in this issue
National
- Asian-Oriented Public Affairs Show Canceled, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. KTVU-TV in Oakland is canceling the long-running public affairs program ‘Asians Now’ along with several other local shows, citing poor ratings, despite protests from Asian and Hispanic community organizations. A new show will replace it but will not be a dedicated minority program, raising concerns among community leaders about future coverage of minority affairs.
- Levine: U.S. Should Pay JA Internees, by Harry Honda, page 1. Rep. Mel Levine declared support for redress bill H.R. 442 during an address to the Pacific Southwest JACL District Council, stating the government has a legal and moral responsibility to compensate internees. He cited the ironies of WW2 internment and urged JACL members to become politically active.
- State Bill Aids Victims of Hate Crimes, page 2. California Attorney General John Van de Kamp announced passage of legislation amending the Ralph Civil Rights Act to provide attorney’s fees, increased damages, and expanded relief for victims of hate crimes. The bill was recommended by a state commission that investigated racial and ethnic violence.
- D.C. Groups Oppose Prop. 63, page 3. Representatives of 24 Hispanic, Asian and civil rights groups spoke out against California’s English-only proposition and announced an ‘English Plus’ campaign promoting multilingualism. Critics called the official English movement anti-immigrant and said it would harm bilingual education and voting rights.
- D.C. Attorney Heading Asian Pacific Demos, page 6. Washington D.C. attorney Ginger Lew was elected to chair an interim steering committee for the National Democratic Council of Asian and Pacific Americans. The committee plans to focus on fundraising, outreach, legislative tracking, and voter registration ahead of a 1987 nominating convention.
- Asians Now Cancellation Draws Criticism, page 8. Community groups and media critics expressed concern over KTVU’s cancellation of ‘Asians Now’ and other minority-focused programs, linking the decision to FCC deregulation that eliminated requirements for local and minority programming. Advocates warned the move could set a troubling precedent for other stations nationwide.
Community
- Shimizu Captures Utah GOP Primary, page 1. County Commissioner M. Tom Shimizu, a member of Mt. Olympus JACL, won the Republican primary for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District by a wide margin. He now faces Democratic challenger Wayne Owens in a race expected to be close according to polling.
- Weller or Onizuka Street? L.A. Committee Approves Name Change; Debate Still Unresolved, by J.K. Yamamoto, page 1. A Los Angeles City Council committee approved a proposal to rename Weller Street in Little Tokyo after astronaut Ellison Onizuka, despite objections from merchants concerned about costs. The debate continues as some propose a monument instead of or in addition to the renaming.
- PSWDC Quarterly Update, by Harry Honda, page 2. The Pacific Southwest District Council held its quarterly meeting hosted by West Los Angeles JACL, covering convention highlights and new national officers. The council also voted to oppose Propositions 63 and 64 and announced plans for the 1987 Tri-District Conference.
- Delegation from Japan Marks Anniversary of Doll Exchange, page 3. A group of 73 Japanese children toured the U.S. to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1927 Japan-U.S. doll exchange, presenting dolls in five cities including Los Angeles. The event honored the history of friendship dolls exchanged between the two countries, including the restoration of a surviving doll named ‘Miss Kyoto.’
- Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Filed Against County, page 6. An Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled that the county could disburse federal funds for Southeast Asian refugee services, dismissing a lawsuit filed by a San Francisco-based refugee agency whose service proposal had been rejected. The suit had alleged a conflict of interest among agencies selected for funding.
- Nikkei Newsmakers, page 6. Brief items report on Dr. John E. Kashiwabara’s appointment as a trustee of the California State University system and Arthur T. Ito’s election as president of the Florists’ Transworld Delivery Association. Both men are noted for their professional and community contributions.
- Chapter Pulse, page 7. A roundup of JACL chapter activities includes Carson’s scholarship dinner and Las Vegas trip, Fresno’s Fall Festival Run, Lake Washington’s dinner program and financial planning seminar, San Mateo’s Keiro Kai Dinner, Seattle’s meeting with Rep. Mike Lowry, and South Bay’s reception for new National Board officers. Each chapter listing provides event details and contact information.
- Meeting of IDC Old-Timers Set, page 7. A reunion of Intermountain District Council JACL old-timers is planned for September at Cactus Pete’s hotel-casino in Jackpot, Nevada. The weekend will include historical presentations, recreational activities, and a banquet.
- JCCCNC Picks ’86-’87 Board, page 7. Edith Tanaka was re-elected president of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California’s board of directors at its annual meeting. Several other officers and at-large directors were also elected for the 1986-87 term.
- Reunion, page 7. January and June graduates of Sacramento High School’s class of 1936 will hold a 50-year reunion dinner-dance in October at the Woodlake Resort and Convention Hotel. Interested graduates are asked to contact the reunion committee for more information.
- Saki Shimizu Honored as Top Teacher, page 7. Saki Shimizu, a sixth-grade teacher at Kimball Elementary School in Seattle and a Seattle JACL member, was selected as one of five top teachers in Washington state by KING-TV. She was also honored by her school district’s Excellence in Education program.
- Weller or Onizuka Street Debate Continues, page 8. The Los Angeles City Council committee’s approval of renaming Weller Street for Ellison Onizuka followed extensive debate, with merchants objecting to costs and some community leaders favoring a monument instead. Supporters including JACL national director Ron Wakabayashi argued the name change would honor Onizuka’s legacy despite merchant objections.
Incarceration & Redress
- Bigotry Against Nikkei Persists, Mineta Warns, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta said negative reactions to redress coverage, including a racist letter sent to his office, show that public education about WW2 internment remains necessary. He urged continued efforts despite progress such as over 130 co-sponsors for redress bill H.R. 442.
Obituaries
- Herbert Takemi Koga, page 3. Herbert Takemi Koga, an active member of the Taiko Dojo, died Aug. 16 at Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City. He was a native of Oakland who resided in San Francisco and is survived by his widow, mother, sisters and brothers.
Commentary
- On to Seattle in ’88, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Columnist Bill Hosokawa reflects on JACL’s choice of Seattle for its 1988 convention, recalling his personal history growing up near Seattle and his wartime incarceration. He praises plans to hold the convention on a college campus for a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Not Enough, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa criticizes Japanese Americans for giving only lip service to Asian-Pacific coalition efforts, citing poor JA turnout at multi-ethnic events in Chicago and Denver. He argues that if JAs don’t intend to support such cooperation, they shouldn’t keep talking about it.
- Let’s Work Together, by Lynn Sakamoto-Chung, page 5. The new Pacific Citizen editor shares her commitment to the paper’s future despite challenges like declining JACL membership and advertising revenue. She calls on readers to help by purchasing subscriptions and sharing information to support quality news coverage.
- Chicago ’86: Reflections of a First-Time JACL Conventioneer, by Meriko Mori, page 5. A first-time JACL convention delegate reflects on her experience in Chicago, criticizing the heavy emphasis on candidate elections at the expense of discussing substantive civil rights issues and the budget. She calls for JACL to be more inclusive of diverse members like youth, singles, and LGBT individuals.
JACL
- Changes That Need to Be Made, by Yosh Nakashima, page 4. A JACL officer reviews the success of the Chicago convention and outlines proposed changes to various national committees to improve their functioning. He also discusses concerns about the election process, including pre-convention locked-in votes and proposes a series of reforms.
- Generational Differences, Similarities Discussed, page 5. A Leadership Development Workshop at the JACL National Convention explored differences between Nisei and Sansei perspectives to help facilitate generational leadership transition. Participants discussed differing views on issues like U.S.-Japan relations and agreed that civil rights and social interaction remain common reasons for JACL membership.
- JACL Convention Photo Album, page 5. A photo spread captures highlights from the JACL National Convention in Chicago, including the swearing-in of the new National Board by Rep. Robert Matsui and the Sayonara Banquet featuring notable figures like Min and True Yasui and Lorna Onizuka. Shig Wakamatsu is also shown presenting a commendation to publisher Howard S. Cady.
Arts & Entertainment
- Classic Hayakawa Silent Film to be Shown, page 6. Sessue Hayakawa’s 1919 silent film ‘The Dragon Painter’ will be screened as a fundraiser for the Japanese American National Museum, featuring live narration by actor Mako and organ accompaniment. The only surviving print, a French copy, was obtained through several film institutions for this special benefit screening.
Sports
- Pitching In: Japanese American Day with the Oakland A’s, page 8. Oakland A’s rookie Jose Canseco joined Japanese American Senior Center representative Steve Nakajo to announce the first Japanese American Day with the Oakland A’s, to be held Sept. 6 against the Detroit Tigers. Discounted tickets are available through several Bay Area community organizations.
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