Vol. 114, No. 1, January 3, 1992. 20 pages. View this issue
Anti-Asian hate crimes were the subject of this 20-page issue’s front page. Gwen Muranaka surveyed 1991 with comments from community leaders in Los Angeles, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Philadelphia and New York, and a chronological calendar listed the year’s incidents, including the murders at a Thai Buddhist temple in Arizona. Other front-page stories covered a Thai woman beaten in Compton after being mistaken for Korean, a false arrest suit tied to the temple case, and plans by the Seabrook Chapter for a museum in New Jersey.
The commentary pages carried a long exchange over redress. William Hohri charged that the JACL video left out other groups, and Cherry Kinoshita answered him twice, with Ross Harano adding his own objection. Also inside: Gwen Muranaka on Japanese American soldiers of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion meeting Dachau survivors, Bill Marutani on R.A. Sasaki’s stories, and travel pieces on Alaska and Nova Scotia.
What’s in this issue
Community
- Seabrook Launches Plans for Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seabrook Chapter of JACL is establishing the Seabrook Educational and Cultural Center to preserve the history of Japanese Americans in Southern New Jersey. More than 2,500 people resettled in Seabrook between 1944-1945 through the efforts of Charles Franklin Seabrook, and the project is led by John Fuyuume and chapter president Ellen Nakamura.
- Nursery Group Honors Nikkei, by P.C. Staff, page 17. The California Association of Nurserymen honored Edwin S. Kubo, George S. Oki Sr., and Harold Sumida for their excellence and service to the horticultural industry. Kubo received the Elmer J. Merz Memorial Award, Oki was named an honorary member, and Sumida received the Endowment for Research and Scholarship Hall of Fame Award.
National
- Mistaken for Korean, Thai Woman Is Beaten, by P.C. Staff, page 1. In Compton, Calif., two African American men mistook a 36-year-old Thai woman for Korean and beat her, leading to arrests of Kenneth Sadberry and Lewis Harris on multiple assault charges. A press conference was held by JACL and other Asian American organizations to draw attention to the incident as part of a wave of hate crimes.
- Man Sues for False Arrest in Temple Murders, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A man filed suit alleging false arrest in connection with the murders at a Thai Buddhist temple, claiming investigators denied him requests for a lawyer, kept him awake 44 hours, and forced him to urinate into empty soda cans. The case is tied to the broader investigation into the nine murders at the temple in Maricopa County, Arizona.
- 1991—A Year of Hate Crimes, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. PC assistant editor Gwen Muranaka surveys the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes across the country in 1991, with commentary from community leaders in Los Angeles, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, and New York. Leaders describe increasing racial tension tied to economic downturn, changing demographics, and strained relations between communities, citing numerous violent incidents against Asian Americans.
Incarceration & Redress
- A Calendar of Crimes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A chronological listing details documented hate crimes against Asian Americans throughout 1991, including vandalism, assaults, and murders across the United States. Incidents range from hate mail sent to JACL offices to the mass murder of nine people at a Thai Buddhist temple in Arizona.
Military & Veterans
- Japanese American Soldiers Reunite with Dachau Survivors They Liberated, by Gwen Muranaka, page 3. Holocaust survivor Janina Cywinska reunited with Japanese American soldiers of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion who helped liberate Dachau concentration camp, at an event sponsored by NCRR in Los Angeles. Veterans George Oiye, Clarence Matsumura, and Dr. Susumu Ito shared photos and memories of the liberation, an often-overlooked chapter of 442nd Regimental Combat Team history now being documented by historian Eric Saul.
JACL
- Let’s Support, Encourage JACL Youth Leadership, by Trisha Murakawa, page 4. National Youth Chair Trisha Murakawa reflects on the JACL National Youth Council’s Youth Conference, describing impressive commitment and leadership among young participants. She argues that JACL must institutionalize youth programs, fund them fully, and actively recruit new members from colleges and even junior high schools to secure the organization’s future.
Arts & Entertainment
- A New Generation of Writers: Nisei in the Military Intelligence, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani reviews R.A. Sasaki’s new book of short stories, ‘The Loom,’ about Sansei sisters and their Nisei parents, noting the significance of a new generation writing about the previous one. He also highlights a booklet, ‘The Pacific War and Peace,’ documenting the role of Nisei in the Military Intelligence Service from 1941 to 1952.
Commentary
- Wants to See Articles on Program for Action, by Frank Tanaka, page 6. A letter writer from Cleveland, Ohio, questions why JACL’s Long Range Plan (Program for Action) remains unfamiliar to many members and suggests a series of articles explaining its origins, grassroots participation, results, and barriers. The editor responds favorably to the suggestion.
- Takes Issue with Marutani Column, by A.K. Matsumoto, page 6. A letter writer from Tokyo objects to a prior Marutani column that praised the Japan Chapter’s membership quality as ‘up there among the best,’ arguing the comment implied other chapters were inferior. The writer references a Peanuts cartoon to illustrate the perspective of those left out of the praise.
- Wants Recognition for Colorado Governor, page 6. A letter advocates for a statue of the late Colorado Governor Ralph Carr to be placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall, honoring his welcome of Japanese Americans during World War II despite political opposition. The writer cites a bronze plaque already dedicated to Carr and calls for renewed recognition during the 50th anniversary of the wartime evacuation.
- William Hohri Charges JACL Redress Distortion, by William Hohri, page 10. William Hohri criticizes the JACL video ‘Redress: The JACL Campaign for Justice’ for allegedly deleting names and minimizing contributions of non-JACL groups such as NCJAR, Frank Chin, and various coalition organizations in the redress movement. He argues the video overstates JACL’s role while ignoring the class action lawsuit, coram nobis cases, and other independent efforts that helped achieve redress.
- Video Volleys: Kinoshita Responds to Hohri, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 10. Cherry Kinoshita, JACL redress video project director, rebuts William Hohri’s criticisms point by point, defending the video’s scope as focused specifically on JACL’s role rather than a comprehensive history of the redress movement. She cites Senator Inouye’s praise of the video and disputes Hohri’s claims about NCJAR’s influence on congressional redress legislation.
- Hohri Responds to Kinoshita Response, by William Hohri, page 11. William Hohri fires back at Cherry Kinoshita’s rebuttal, accusing her of attacking him personally rather than addressing substantive historical inaccuracies in the JACL video. He reiterates that NCJAR was founded in Seattle, played a key role in influencing Congressman Mike Lowry, and maintains that the video presents flawed and persuasive but inaccurate history.
- Kinoshita: One More Response to Hohri Letter, by Cherry Kinoshita, page 11. Cherry Kinoshita offers a final rebuttal to William Hohri, characterizing his latest letter as reduced to semantic criticisms rather than substantive rebuttal. She credits Hohri’s NCJAR lawsuit efforts but suggests his attacks undermine his own accomplishments.
- Ross Harano Objects to Hohri Article, by Ross Harano, page 11. Ross Harano, former Chicago JACL chapter president, disputes William Hohri’s characterization of the Chicago JACL’s efforts to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. He provides historical documentation showing the Chicago JACL Ad Hoc Committee’s fundraising and coordination efforts, contradicting Hohri’s claims about the source of contributions.
In-Depth
- Fish Stories: Alaska Fishing Adventure, by Richard Suenaga, page 8. Editor Richard Suenaga recounts a fishing trip to Whales Resort on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, organized through travel agent Tyler Tanaka, featuring retired JPL scientist Tak Hoshizaki and fellow travel industry veterans. The luxury lodge, created by Bill Fannamel and Richard Yamada, offers upscale amenities alongside prime salmon and halibut fishing in Southeast Alaska’s coastal wilderness.
- Here’s a Travel-Treasure—Nova Scotia, by Tyler Tanaka, page 9. Travel writer Tyler Tanaka describes a week-long journey through Nova Scotia, visiting Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, the Bay of Fundy, and Cape Breton. He praises the region’s hospitality, seafood, historic sites, and hotels including the Keltic Lodge and Inverary Inn Resort.
- South Pacific Tours Offered, by P.C. Staff, page 9. J&O Holidays released its 1992 South Pacific Dreambook featuring new itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. The company emphasizes cultural experiences, highlighting Aboriginal traditions in Australia and Maori culture in New Zealand.
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