Vol. 118, No. 3, January 28, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue
Redress and the Northridge earthquake shared this eight-page issue. On the front page, the Office of Redress Administration reversed an earlier decision and found 164 Japanese Americans evacuated from parts of Oahu eligible for $20,000 payments, while 91 Iwilei evacuees were still denied. Lillian C. Kimura wrote about the quake and the winter weather, and Jimmy Tokeshi and Karl Nobuyuki described its destruction and the relief work that followed.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa asked how long the memory of the World War II incarceration can last as time passes, and Karen Narasaki wrote about immigrants as targets of scapegoating. Paul M. Shinkawa urged JACL members to reclaim their organization, and Chicago planned a Day of Remembrance program. The issue also carried a remembrance of Mary Oyama Mittwer, a Pacific Citizen columnist in the 1950s.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- ORA Okays Redress for 164 Hawaii Evacuees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration reversed an earlier decision and ruled that 164 Japanese Americans evacuated from parts of Hawaii’s Oahu are now eligible for $20,000 redress payments. Honolulu JACL Chapter played a key role in providing research and legal assistance that led to the reversal, though other cases such as Iwilei evacuees remain denied.
National
- In the Running: Three Asian Americans Vie for Office, by P.C. Staff, page 1. John Lee Bingham, who is half Korean, is running for Illinois State Representative in the 34th district, aiming to be the first Asian American in that seat. Judy Chu is running for California State Assembly in the 49th District, and Uppuluri is running for Congress in Tennessee’s third district.
JACL
- A Message to Members: Reclaim JACL, by Staff Report, page 1. Former Pacific Citizen board chair Paul M. Shinkawa addressed the Mile-Hi Chapter, urging JACL members to take back control of their organization from a leadership that has strayed from its founding purpose. He proposed five measures including a member’s bill of rights, an organizational assessment commission, and greater financial accountability.
- National Board Meets Feb. 12-13 in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The next JACL National Board meeting is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 12-13, at JACL National Headquarters in San Francisco. Pacific Citizen will be reporting on the meeting.
- JACL Announces New D.C. Intern, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Christine M. Yokoyama, a member of the SELANOCO Chapter, JACL, is serving as a legal intern in the Washington, D.C. national office. She will assist Karen Narasaki in analyzing and effecting legislative policy on civil rights and education issues.
Commentary
- Surviving the Cold, the Quake, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 3. JACL National President Lillian Kimura reflects on the harsh winter weather in the East and Midwest and then on the devastating Northridge earthquake in Southern California. She expresses concern for JACL members affected by the quake amid a string of disasters that have hit the region in recent years.
- Keeping the Evacuation Within Memory, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Bill Hosokawa discusses a Roper survey showing widespread ignorance among Americans about the Holocaust and questions what this means for public memory of the Japanese American Evacuation. He wonders how long the Evacuation can remain a focal point for the community as time passes and memories fade.
- Immigrants Still Targets of Scapegoating, by Karen Narasaki, page 5. Karen Narasaki criticizes the current political climate of anti-immigrant rhetoric, describing how legislative proposals like the ‘Roth Amendment’ and asylum restrictions threaten due process for immigrants. She outlines JACL’s historical opposition to anti-immigrant and anti-naturalization legislation and its current policy positions supporting fair immigration laws.
- Looking at New Twists on U.S.-Japan Relations, by Dick Yamashita, page 5. A letter writer from Tokyo discusses the transformation of Japan’s political and economic environment ahead of a summit between President Clinton and Prime Minister Hosokawa. He references works by James Fallows and Shigeto Tsuru and philosophical frameworks for understanding the bilateral relationship.
- California Health Program Is a Good Role Model, page 5. A letter writer with 34 years in the life and health insurance industry describes how California’s, particularly Sacramento’s, health care market has already implemented many reforms similar to those proposed by President Clinton. The letter praises the state’s Managed Care system, PERS health coverage, and new claims settlement regulations as models for national health care reform.
- To Endure in a Region of Disasters, by Jimmy Tokeshi, page 6. Jimmy Tokeshi describes the moments during and after the Northridge earthquake, including radio coverage and the scale of destruction across Los Angeles. He details relief efforts by JACL and partner organizations and reflects on the resilience of Los Angeles residents through repeated disasters.
Community
- Contra Costa Installs ’94 Officers, by Staff Report, page 3. Contra Costa JACL installed James Oshima as president along with the 1994 board at their annual dinner in Pinole. Guest speaker Harry K. Honda recounted a 1969-70 controversy over freedom of speech in the Pacific Citizen Letterbox, and recognition awards were presented to several community members and officials.
- Chicago to Mark Day of Remembrance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL and Japanese American Service Committee will commemorate the 52nd Day of Remembrance on Feb. 12 with a screening of Lise Yasui’s film ‘A Family Gathering.’ The program will include a panel discussion on the consequences of internment policy on families.
- Earthquake Disaster Centers Open, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Following the Northridge earthquake, 11 Disaster Application Centers were opened to offer local, state and federal assistance to Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura County residents. The Pacific Southwest District Office of JACL provided addresses and hours of operation for the centers.
- Quake Brings San Fernando JACLers Together, by Staff Report, page 4. San Fernando Valley JACL Chapter members, led by president Arnold Miyamoto, held small get-togethers with the West Valley United Methodist Church after the Northridge earthquake to check on community members and distribute disaster assistance information. Miyamoto said no member’s home was completely destroyed, though some sustained major damage.
Military & Veterans
- After the Quake: Memos from the Epicenter, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 6. Karl Nobuyuki recounts his experience documenting earthquake destruction for the Fire Department, including the collapse of a Northridge apartment complex where 16 people died. He also shares personal reflections on his family’s earthquake experience and gratitude for community support.
Obituaries
- Mary Oyama Mittwer Dies, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Mary Oyama Mittwer, a Pacific Citizen columnist in the 1950s and lifelong JACL booster, died at age 86. Her 1943 Liberty magazine article helped break down misconceptions about Japanese Americans, and she worked as a writer and editor throughout her life in Sacramento, Heart Mountain, Denver, and Los Angeles.
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