Vol. 112, No. 6, February 15, 1991. 8 pages. View this issue
Redress led the news in this eight-page issue. The Bush administration’s fiscal 1992 budget request included the full $500 million authorized for payments under the Civil Liberties Act, with $250 million planned for fiscal 1993, and a Pacific Citizen editorial on page 4 welcomed the figure. On page 2, Clifford Uyeda argued that JACL should give credit to the many groups and people who also worked for redress. On page 3, Harry K. Honda reported on the Spark Matsunaga Collection at the Japanese American National Museum.
Other pages looked at the FBI’s contacts with Arab American leaders, a new Asian liaison named by California’s governor, and actor-writer Lane Nishikawa, whose one-man show was covered by Richard Suenaga. An editorial, “A Change in the Air,” announced changes to the paper’s look and content. Columns by Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani are also inside.
What’s in this issue
National
- FBI Agents See Growing ‘Paranoia’ Among Arab Americans, page 1. Lawrence G. Lawler, FBI special agent in charge of the Los Angeles bureau, said the agency has only contacted Arab American leaders to offer help against potential threats, and expressed concern over the level of paranoia surrounding FBI interviews. He noted these contacts are separate from an ongoing program to locate Iraqi nationals illegally in the country.
Incarceration & Redress
- ’92 Bush Budget Includes Redress Funds, by Staff reports, page 1. The Bush administration’s fiscal 1992 budget request to Congress includes the full $500 million authorized by law for Japanese American Redress payments, with full funding of $250 million also planned for fiscal 1993. JACL-LEC’s Ujifusa credited Senator Daniel Inouye for making Redress payments an entitlement, ensuring checks continue to be distributed to elderly survivors of the internment.
Community
- California Governor Names Asian Liaison, page 1. Gary Lew, who previously served as a legislative intern for then-Sen. Pete Wilson and assisted as his Asian community liaison during his gubernatorial campaign, was appointed as Gov. Wilson’s liaison to Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Of Chinese and Japanese ancestry, Lew graduated from UCLA and wrote his senior paper on Japanese American internment.
Arts & Entertainment
- He’s on an Acting Mission: Lane Nishikawa’s One-Man Show, by Richard Suenaga, page 1. Actor-writer Lane Nishikawa performs vignettes drawing on Asian American experiences in his one-man show ‘I’m On a Mission From Buddha’ at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. The show is described as an extension of his earlier work ‘Life in the Fast Lane,’ featuring characters based on his own life and observations of Japanese American experience.
- Nishikawa: Asian American Theater’s Steadfast Voice, page 7. The article profiles Lane Nishikawa as a writer and actor committed to confronting Asian stereotypes through his art, noting his background as an alumnus and former artistic director of the Asian American Theatre of San Francisco. Nishikawa discusses the progress of Asian American theater gaining wider visibility, citing interest from major theaters like the Mark Taper, while expressing hope for continued opportunities and support for Asian American filmmakers like Wayne Wang.
Commentary
- Wants to Know Sculptor, by Carole Kamiyama, page 2. A reader from Everett, Wash. asks who sculpted the bust of Minoru Yasui featured in a previous issue. The editor’s response notes the bust was created by Tsuyako (Alice Kaneko), a Denver Nisei who changed careers from beautician to sculptor.
- Give Us Credit, by Clifford Uyeda, page 2. A former JACL national redress committee chairman and JACL national president criticizes JACL for claiming exclusive credit for the successful redress campaign. He argues that other organizations and individuals, including Edison Uno, the early Seattle group, NCRR, NCJAR, and many non-Nikkei individuals, played major and crucial roles that JACL has belittled.
- Oldest Asian Americans, by Ed Suguro, page 2. A reader disputes Mike Masaoka’s claim that Japanese Americans are the oldest Asian Americans, noting Chinese immigrants arrived earlier during the Gold Rush era. The writer also offers a detailed reexamination of the Vincent Chin murder, arguing that the true motive involved a bar altercation and anti-Chinese sentiment rather than solely anti-Japanese auto industry resentment.
- President Bush and Redress, page 4. An editorial discusses how approximately two-fifths of Redress payments have been made since October, with the Bush Administration’s fiscal 1992 budget request including the full $500 million authorized for Redress, a stark contrast to the initial $20 million request. The piece credits Senator Dan Inouye’s efforts to make Redress payments an entitlement program to ensure timely payment to aging beneficiaries.
- A Change in the Air, page 4. An editorial announces changes to the Pacific Citizen’s look and content, promising the newspaper will become more interpretive and provide greater depth on issues affecting Japanese Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders. The piece invites reader feedback and pledges more diverse voices and perspectives from around the country.
- Items With a U.S. Brand (But a Product From a Third World Country), by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. The columnist recounts frustrating experiences with poorly-fitting shirts and defective shoes manufactured overseas under American brand names, questioning why quality control has declined despite offshore production. He contrasts this with Japanese manufacturers who maintain high quality standards even while outsourcing production to Korea and Southeast Asia.
- The ‘Hanji’, by Bill Marutani, page 4. The columnist reflects on the esteem in which kanji (hanji) characters are held in Japanese culture, drawing on his limited personal exposure to the language. The column explores the cultural significance of these characters within Japanese tradition.
In-Depth
- Museum Shows Matsunaga Memorabilia, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. The Japanese American National Museum unveiled the Spark Matsunaga Collection, featuring memorabilia including medals, plaques, photographs, and campaign materials from the late senator. Tributes were given by Sen. Dan Akaka, Sen. Dan Inouye, Rep. Robert Matsui, Rep. Norman Mineta, and museum officials honoring Matsunaga’s 28 years in Congress and role in securing the 1988 redress bill.
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