Violence, redress and Asian Pacific organizing in early 1985

Vol. 100, No. 2, January 18, 1985. 12 pages. View this issue

Violence and discrimination against Asian Americans ran through this twelve-page issue. Robert Shimabukuro reported on the American Friends Service Committee consultation near Seattle, where organizers took up anti-Asian violence and the idea of a pan-Asian movement. Sisters Lisa Manibog-Lew and Lana Manibog filed complaints against three officers, and about 80 people protested outside Penthouse magazine in New York. Redress ran alongside this: the New York state senate passed a resolution endorsing the Commission’s recommendations, and Glen S. Fukushima wrote on the term ‘Nikkei’ and the redress argument.

Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Heart Mountain honor roll and the effort to list the camp site on the National Register of Historic Places. Bill Marutani looked at Nikkei unity, and an item reported that American Indians in the Poston Valley invited former incarcerees to a February reunion. A film by Steven Okazaki on Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu and Minoru Yasui was set to screen in Little Tokyo. Several JACL chapters announced installation dinners.

What’s in this issue

National

• Sisters Charge Three Officers with Police Brutality, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lisa Manibog-Lew and Lana Manibog, daughters of Monterey Park councilman Monty Manibog, filed criminal complaints against a CHP officer and two sheriff’s deputies for allegedly beating them after a minor traffic stop. The officers gave a conflicting account, claiming the women resisted and became violent, while the sisters say they were brutalized and did not realize the men were police.
• Quaker Group Brings Together Asian and Pacific Leaders for Strategy-Setting, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 1. The American Friends Service Committee held a Consultation on Asian Pacific Affairs near Seattle, bringing together 30-40 Asian/Pacific American organizers to discuss issues including anti-Asian violence, the Marcos regime, and nuclear policy in the Pacific. Organizers aimed to develop better AFSC programs and build solidarity among Asian Pacific communities.
• Five Arrested in Penthouse Protest, page 1. About 80 protesters gathered outside Penthouse magazine’s offices in New York to protest photos depicting Asian and Black women in bondage, resulting in five arrests. Multiple Asian American and women’s organizations endorsed the protest against what they called racist and sexist imagery.
• Man Sues for Being Pushed Out of Club, page 1. Pilipino American Dexter Del Mar filed a discrimination complaint against Arden Hills Swimming and Tennis Club owner Sherman Chavoor, who allegedly called him a racial slur and pushed him. A preliminary hearing was held before the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission seeking an order against the club and possible damages.
• New York Senate Endorses Redress, page 2. The New York state senate unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the recommendations of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. The resolution called the WW2 treatment of Japanese Americans a wrongful injury against a racially defined group.
• Hayakawa Still Battling Bilingualism, page 2. Former Senator S.I. Hayakawa and California assemblyman Frank Hill presented legislation to make English the official language of California. Hayakawa argued most immigrant groups besides some Hispanics and Chinese do not seek bilingualism.
• Harassment Drives Buddhists Out, page 2. A Korean Buddhist congregation in Howard County, Maryland is leaving its temple after repeated vandalism including shot-out windows and stolen mailboxes. The City of Baltimore sold the group an abandoned Lutheran church for $10 to reopen in the spring.
• Anti-Asian Slur Appears on Store Sign, page 2. Vandals rearranged letters on a 7-Eleven readerboard sign in Kent, Washington to read an anti-Asian slur. The store owner said the original message was about milk prices and expressed that the store would never condone such a message.
• Pierman Sentencing Next Week, page 2. James Pierman, convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing Chinese immigrant Thong Hy Huynh at Davis High School, will be sentenced Jan. 22. Community members have criticized the conviction as too lenient given the deliberate and racially charged nature of the attack.
• Opposition Leader to Return to Korea, page 2. Kim Dae Jung, a prominent South Korean democracy advocate exiled in the U.S. since 1982, plans to return to Korea at the end of January despite facing 17 more years in prison. He will make his last U.S. public appearance in Los Angeles before departing.
• AFSC Consultation Tackles Asian Pacific Community Issues, page 6. Continuing coverage of the AFSC Consultation details discussions on immigration policy, exploitation of Pilipino women, Japan’s treatment of Korean minorities, and the plight of Native Hawaiians facing housing shortages. Participants also discussed violence against Asian Americans and shared experiences of harassment and incarceration due to their activism.
• Complaints Filed Against Aloha ’84 Hotel, page 12. The Hawaii NAACP chapter charged that the Atlantis club at the Pacific Beach Hotel, site of the 28th National JACL Convention, was among the worst offenders in discriminating against Blacks in Waikiki. The organization threatened legal action against discos if the issue was not resolved, while officials acknowledged no laws currently exist to address the problem.
• Hawaiians Reclaim Land, page 12. Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi rescinded 27 executive orders that had transferred 28,000 acres of land from the Hawaiian Homes Commission to other government agencies. A federal-state task force had found the transfers breached a trust agreement established by Congress in 1921 for Native Hawaiians.

Arts & Entertainment

• Hollywood Casts Another White in Asian Lead Role, page 2. The casting of Joel Grey as an elderly Korean master in Orion Pictures’ ‘Remo Williams’ has drawn criticism from Asian American actors and organizations who say qualified Asian actors were overlooked. The film’s producers say an exhaustive search was conducted before selecting Grey for the role.
• Alive and Well on the West Coast, by Robert Shimabukuro, page 5. Shimabukuro recounts his travels from Seattle to Los Angeles, describing Asian American theater performances, a benefit show for Northwest Asian American Theater, and a visit to the Ohana restaurant/cultural center project in Oakland. He highlights plays by Asian American Theatre including works by David Hwang and performances addressing themes of loneliness and compulsion.

Community

• For the Record, page 2. A correction clarifies that the National League of Cities resolution passed in November deleted a call for monetary compensation to former internees. The league urged Congress to acknowledge the injustice of WW2 internment and recommended presidential pardons for wartime convictions.
• Documentary to Screen in Little Tokyo, page 3. Steven Okazaki’s documentary ‘Unfinished Business,’ about Nisei resisters Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu, and Minoru Yasui, will screen at the Japan America Theatre to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of Japanese American internment. The evening program will be hosted by actor Mako with special guests including Korematsu and the filmmaker.
• Prewar Nisei Life Subject of UCLA Lecture Series, page 3. UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center is sponsoring a community class on Japanese Americans before WW2, taught by research associate Yuji Ichioka. The series covers topics including Issei immigrant nationalism, the JACL, and Kibei-Nisei history.
• Adoption Workshop Slated, page 3. A seminar on psychological and legal issues related to adoption will be held Feb. 9 in Los Angeles, sponsored by the Nikkei Family Counseling Program of Little Tokyo Service Center. Speakers include Blossom Nishimi and attorney Morinaka, along with parents who have adopted children.
• Literary Material Sought, page 6. San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department seeks short stories, poetry, and art for an anthology of Japanese American literature called Fusion Too. The submission deadline is March 31.
• Books for Children Available in Paperback, page 6. Japanese American Curriculum Project is offering a prepublication sale of Yoshiko Uchida’s Journey to Topaz and Samurai of Gold Hill. The books, suitable for ages 9-12, will be discounted and the first 100 copies autographed by the author.
• Milestones: Education, Government, Arts, page 10. Brief items note George Kayano winning a scholarship as the oldest student at City College of San Francisco, Harvey Horikawa’s appointment to the Calif. Fair Employment and Housing Commission, and Patrick Ogawa’s reappointment to the State Advisory Board on Drug Problems. Also mentioned are new arts appointments for David Fong and journalist Cathy Kiyomura.
• Fong Appointed Liaison, page 12. Governor George Deukmejian appointed Clayton S. Fong as community representative for the Governor’s Office of Community Relations, serving as liaison to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean communities. Deukmejian is the first California governor to establish such an office for minority communities and women.

Commentary

• The Sushi-in-the-Suitcase Syndrome, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Marutani recounts a conversation with a friend, Moonray Kojima, about the need for Nikkei nationally to unite and support one another more broadly, citing examples of Nikkei being treated unfairly without the backing other minority groups might receive. The column reflects on moving past old community practices to build broader coalitions and share resources for advancement.
• Letters: Super Sumo, by Christine Froechtenigt, page 4. A reader from Honolulu takes friendly exception to Bill Hosokawa’s earlier description of sumo as absurd, explaining the sport’s reliance on agility and balance rather than mere size. She encourages others to give sumo a chance by watching the bimonthly televised tournaments.
• Letters: Overlooked Again, by Gladys Kohatsu, page 4. A reader expresses disappointment that no Asian figure was included among the statues at the Vietnam Memorial, despite many Asian Americans having served honorably in the war. She asks why Asian Americans are so often overlooked and calls for this to be rectified.
• Letters: Donation and Challenge, by JACL-Blue Shield Health Insurance Committee, page 4. The JACL-Blue Shield Health Insurance Committee announces a $1,000 donation to the Pacific Citizen typesetting fund in appreciation of the paper’s service. They challenge other organizations to make similar contributions to keep the publication strong.
• Letters: Surprise Attack, page 4. A reader cites an offensive passage from a Frommer’s Hawaii travel guide describing a disrespectful encounter at the Pearl Harbor memorial involving a Japanese American tour guide. The writer suggests JACL chapters investigate whether the letter writer is real and address the matter with the Park Service.
• A Visit to Rep. Forehead, by G. Tim Gojio, page 5. In an imagined conversation, the author explains the redress bill’s $1.5 billion cost to a skeptical congressman, emphasizing that the number of internees determines the total cost rather than reflecting any lack of merit to the claim. The piece illustrates the challenges of convincing lawmakers to support redress legislation despite the large price tag.
• ‘Nikkei’ Inappropriate, by Glen S. Fukushima, page 7. Fukushima objects to the Pacific Citizen’s use of the word ‘Nikkei’ in the headline of his earlier essay, arguing the term creates unnecessary division between Japanese Americans and other Americans. He explains the linguistic ambiguities of the word in Japanese and argues ‘Japanese American’ better serves redress arguments legally, morally, and politically.
• Letters: Preferences, by Frank M. Takahashi, page 7. A reader states that in his experience, Filipino-Americans prefer the ‘F’ spelling over ‘Pilipino.’ The editor responds explaining the paper’s reasoning for using ‘Pilipino’ based on consultations with community members and organizations.
• Letters: The Other Cheek, by Hashime Saito, page 7. A reader reflects on an earlier column about Pearl Harbor and shikataganai, suggesting it helps explain why many Issei and older Nisei do not seek monetary redress. The writer argues these individuals value spiritual accomplishments over financial compensation.
• Members Discuss Macrobiotic Diet, by Joe Oyama, page 8. Oyama shares responses from two Nikkei women readers to his earlier article on macrobiotic diets, including perspectives on salt intake, umeboshi, and refined carbohydrates. A holistic healer reader also offers a metaphysical view on healing and curing versus conventional medicine.

In-Depth

• The Heart Mountain Honor Roll, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa writes about the Blackburns’ campaign to get the Heart Mountain campsite listed on the National Register of Historic Places and their effort to rebuild the camp’s deteriorated servicemen’s honor roll. He lists 15 Heart Mountain men killed in military action during WW2 and asks readers for historical information about the memorial.
• Sansei Writes About His 26 Years on Police Force, by Ken Szymkowiak, page 8. Former LAPD Asian Task Force head Jimmy Sakoda discusses his experience being interviewed by Japanese media about the Miura murder case and his two fiction books published in Japan based on his police career. Sakoda reflects on his identity as a Japanese American and the production of a Japanese TV movie based on his work.

Incarceration & Redress

• WW2 Editor Renews Attack on JACL, page 7. Jimmie Omura, a wartime critic of JACL who supported the Heart Mountain draft resisters, renews his criticism of the organization in a column, accusing it of elitism and excessive patriotism during the Depression and internment era. Omura argues the JACL has not changed and sees irony in its redress campaign while it refuses to apologize for its own wartime stance against dissenters.
• Native Indians to Host Poston Internees, by American Baptist News Service, page 12. American Indians living in the Poston Valley have invited former Japanese American internees to a ‘homecoming’ reunion event in February, sponsored by American Baptist National Ministries. The event will include worship services, reunion gatherings by camp block groups, and an oral history collection project.

JACL

• Looking Back on a Productive Year, by Thomas Toyama, page 9. Toyama reviews the Fowler JACL chapter’s activities throughout the year and discusses challenges facing the rural agricultural community, including declining raisin prices, tax issues, and an aging Nisei membership base. He also lists the chapter’s 1984 officers and year-round programming.
• Mile-Hi JACL Installation Features Detroit Attorney, page 9. Detroit attorney James Shimoura, a founder of American Citizens for Justice who helped push for federal investigation of the Vincent Chin murder case, will speak at the Mile-Hi JACL installation dinner. Chapter president Kiyoto Futa noted increased interest due to rising anti-Asian violence.
• French Camp JACL Plans New Year’s Installation, page 9. French Camp JACL will hold a New Year’s/Installation Party with NC-WN-P district governor Molly Fujioka installing officers. A potluck dinner is being arranged by several chapter members with George Komure serving as general chair.
• Fund Drive Under Way, page 9. San Diego JACL president Mas Hironaka became the first prime solicitor of the JACL Legislative Education Committee, raising over $3,000. Fund-raising coordinator Harry Kajihara announced 198 more prime solicitors are needed.
• Chapters Plan Joint Installation Dinner/Dance, page 9. Marina JACL is coordinating a joint installation dinner/dance with several chapters at the Amfac Hotel, featuring violinist Kengo Sakamoto and dancing to The Music Company. Coordinator George Kodama emphasized conviviality over formality for the event.
• San Jose Chapter Sponsors Student for Presidential Classroom, page 9. San Jose JACL will sponsor Clark Allen Izu of Piedmont High School for the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans program in Washington, D.C. The program brings thousands of high school students to the capital for seminars with national leaders.
• Berkeley JACL Holds Installation Dinner at Remodeled Hotel, page 9. Berkeley JACL will hold its installation dinner/dance at the newly remodeled Shattuck Hotel, with tickets priced at $17.50. Reservations were requested by Jan. 20 through several chapter contacts.

Obituaries

• Mary Maruyama, Charter Member of St. Louis JACL, page 10. Mary Maruyama, 70, a charter member of St. Louis JACL, died Jan. 5 after a year-long battle with respiratory disease. A former Sacramento resident and one of the first West Coast evacuees to move to St. Louis, she ran Maruyama’s Oriental Art and Gifts with her husband for 30 years before retiring in 1979.

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