Redress hearings ahead, the Vincent Chin indictment, and Grenada

Vol. 97, No. 20, November 11, 1983. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress and civil rights ran through the news of November 11, 1983. John Tateishi reported that JACL’s redress bill, HR 4110, went to a House Judiciary subcommittee, with hearings not expected until after February 1984. On the front page, a federal grand jury indicted Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz on civil rights charges in the 1982 death of Vincent Chin, and Sen. Daniel Inouye voiced dismay at the U.S. invasion of Grenada. Bill Hosokawa questioned how the novel and NHK drama ‘Futatsu no Sokoku’ portrays Nisei loyalty, and a Tule Lake memory came from Roy Uno’s column on Teddy Tanaka.

Elsewhere in these 12 pages: a Nisei-led bank chartered in Carson, a poetry contest for Little Tokyo’s 1984 Centennial, and Centenary United Methodist Church planning its return to Little Tokyo. The 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team Assn. recognized Nisei GIs, and Denis Collins remembered fly fisherman Ken Miyata.

What’s in this issue

National

• Grenada Invasion Shocks Sen. Inouye; Justifications Deplored, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye voiced dismay and opposition to the U.S. invasion of Grenada, deploring President Reagan’s justifications for the action. He said there was no evidence that Americans on the island were in jeopardy, and Congressman Daniel Akaka also questioned Reagan’s rationale.
• Japan Auto Exports to U.S. Cut in 1984, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japan agreed to limit auto exports to the United States to 1,850,000 units for the year beginning April 1, 1984, representing a compromise between U.S. and Japanese positions. The new agreement raises concerns for Japanese automakers and for General Motors Corp., which imports Japanese cars under its own name.
• Landmark Sex Discrimination Case Argued Before U.S. Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court heard arguments in Hishon v. King & Spalding, a case examining whether law firm partnership decisions are subject to federal anti-discrimination laws. Plaintiff Elizabeth Hishon sued an Atlanta law firm after being denied partnership, and the case could have broad implications for women and minorities in large professional partnerships.
• Vincent Chin Killers Face Grand Jury on Civil Rights Violation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal grand jury indicted Ronald Ebens and his stepson Michael Nitz on civil rights charges for the 1982 beating death of Vincent Chin in Detroit. The men had previously pleaded guilty to reduced manslaughter charges and received only probation and fines, prompting outrage from Asian American groups and a push by Rep. Norman Mineta for federal action.

Military & Veterans

• WW2 Paratroopers Recognize Nisei GIs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team Assn. adopted a resolution at its annual reunion formally recognizing Nisei GIs who served in the Pacific during WW2. The resolution acknowledged the patriotic sacrifice made by Nisei soldiers despite their families being placed in concentration camps.

In-Depth

• Ken Miyata: A Legend Is Dead, by Denis Collins, page 2. Ken Miyata, a 32-year-old Harvard-trained zoologist and renowned fly fisherman, drowned while fishing in Montana just days after proposing marriage and accepting a new job. Friends recalled his extraordinary skill and passion for trout fishing, noting the eerie parallel to the earlier death of another fly fishing expert, David Lee.
• Teddy, an Ex-Camper, by Roy Uno, page 10. Teddy Tanaka, a Hawaii-born Nisei who was interned with his family at Tule Lake during WWII, shares his memories of camp life, including his uncle’s visit in a 442nd uniform and the difficulty of learning English after returning to Hawaii as a child. He now sees JACL’s redress efforts and the upcoming 1984 national convention in Hawaii as important steps toward unity between mainland and island Nikkei.
• Hiroshima Kenjin Most Numerous in Hawaii Japanese Immigration, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A historical feature details the prefectural origins of Japanese laborers who immigrated to Hawaii between 1885 and 1894, with Hiroshima prefecture supplying the largest number at over a third of total immigrants. The article provides year-by-year breakdowns of immigrants from Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Niigata and other prefectures.

Community

• Lake Wash. JACLer Named OYMA/83, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Gene Dogen, a member of Lake Washington JACL and public school teacher, was named a 1983 Outstanding Young Man of America for his professional achievements and community service. He has coached youth sports and served on education and recreation boards in Washington state.
• San Francisco Press Club to Fete C. Leong, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Pioneer Chinese American journalist-author Charles Leong is being honored by the Press Club of San Francisco. Leong began his career in the late 1930s at San Jose State, served with the Flying Tigers during WW2, and later wrote for Stars & Stripes and other publications.
• Nisei-Led Bank Chartered in Carson, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Three JACL members helped found Pacific Business Bank, which received its state charter and began offering stock to the Japanese American community. Chairman Mike Mitoma said the bank, the first independent bank in Carson, emphasizes assisting the Nikkei community and offers various commercial banking and financing services.
• Little Tokyo Centennial Sponsors Contest for Tanka and English Poetry, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is sponsoring a poetry contest in English and Japanese tanka form to celebrate Little Tokyo’s Centennial in 1984. Winners will be announced at the Kotohajime New Year’s celebration, with first place awards of $50 in each category.
• Nisei-Retirement Group Compiling Issei Pidgin English, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The San Francisco Nisei and Retirement Group is compiling a list of English-Japanese word combinations and pidgin phrases commonly used by Issei immigrants to preserve this linguistic heritage. Members at a Canterbury Hotel gathering contributed examples of phrases blending English and Japanese words.
• Nippon TV Network Donates $10G to ARS, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Asian Rehabilitation Services received a $10,000 donation from the Nippon Television Networks’ 24 Hour TV program. Executive director Mark Mayeda said the funds will help the organization purchase an evaluation tool to better serve disabled clients of Asian Pacific heritage.
• Centenary United Methodists Returning to Little Tokyo After 50 Years, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Centenary United Methodist Church, a Japanese American congregation founded in Little Tokyo in 1896, is planning to move back to the revitalized neighborhood after decades in the Seinan-USC area. A ground-breaking ceremony for the new 850-member church building is planned for Easter Sunday 1984.
• Chicago Keiro Home Under Study, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Japanese American Service Committee’s board approved plans to buy and manage a home for the elderly in Chicago, with an architect and mortgage firm representative presenting details. An anonymous Issei pioneer donor has offered $50,000 toward the project, which needs $500,000 to $700,000 for construction of a 100-150 bed facility.
• Chinese Enclave in El Paso Lingers, by P.C. Staff, page 10. An Associated Press feature describes the roughly 600 Chinese Americans remaining in El Paso, Texas, where children still learn their ancestors’ language and customs at a local Baptist church. Chinese immigrants first arrived as railroad builders in the 1880s, and a Chinatown flourished there until the 1950s.

Commentary

• Eating Habits, page 4. A columnist reminisces about attending a traditional Chinese banquet with dishes unfamiliar to Western palates, including jellyfish and whole boiled chicken, contrasting it with the more austere dining habits of farm life. The piece also recalls elegant multi-course Japanese dining experiences with national director Mas Satow.
• Letters: Redress Is Not Karma, by Tad Tsukida, page 4. A reader writes that redress should not be dismissed as karma, arguing that constitutional justice demands correcting historical wrongs. He connects the WWII incarceration to the ongoing need to protect the civil rights of new immigrants.
• Letters: Good to Hear, by James Y. Iso, page 4. A reader from Singapore praises the Pacific Citizen’s excellent coverage and encourages the paper to keep up its outstanding work. The brief letter expresses appreciation for each issue.
• ‘Futatsu no Sokoku’: Catchy but Faulty, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa critiques the Japanese novel and upcoming NHK television drama ‘Futatsu no Sokoku’ (Two Homelands), which depicts a Nisei protagonist caught between loyalties during WWII. He argues the story is historically flawed and risks misrepresenting Japanese American experience and loyalty to the United States during the war.

Incarceration & Redress

• HR 4110: House Hearing After February 1984, by John Tateishi, page 4. JACL’s redress bill HR 4110, introduced by House Majority Leader Jim Wright with strong leadership sponsorship, was referred to a House Judiciary subcommittee where hearings are not expected until after February 1984. The column outlines the legislative process ahead, including the need for JACL testimony and the eventual consideration of a companion Senate bill.

JACL

• By the Board: Of Three Things in Particular on Communication, by Chuck Kubokawa, page 5. JACL board member Chuck Kubokawa stresses the importance of communication within the organization, urging members to channel complaints constructively to leadership rather than undermine JACL support through unaddressed grievances. He also makes an extended appeal for support of redress as a fundamental American issue and reports on post-PANA conference reunions and upcoming international events in Brazil.

Arts & Entertainment

• ‘Shogun Age’ Art Exhibit to Open Dec. 20 at L.A., by P.C. Staff, page 9. An unprecedented international exhibition of historic Japanese art from the Tokugawa Art Museum will debut at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in December before touring Dallas, New York, Paris and Munich. The collection features some 300 rare objects including paintings, armor, and tea ceremony utensils never before shown outside Japan.
• ‘Shina no Yoru’ Hit Singer Calls 50th Anniversary Program Her Finale, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Prewar Japanese ballad singer Hamako Watanabe celebrated the 50th anniversary of her career with a concert in Tokyo, reflecting on her famous hit songs including ‘Shina no Yoru’ and her wartime performances for Japanese POWs. The 72-year-old singer also commented on the differences between her classical vocal training and the microphone-reliant style of modern vocalists.

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