Affirmative action and the JACL tri-district conference in Albuquerque

Vol. 121, No. 3, August 4, 1995. 20 pages. View this issue

Affirmative action led the news. After the University of California Board of Regents voted on July 20 to end it in admissions, hiring and contracting, JACL criticized the decision, and National President Denny Yasuhara said minorities and women still start far behind. JACL also praised President Clinton for defending the policy. On the commentary pages, UC Regent S. Stephen Nakashima defended his vote while Jerry Enomoto argued that JACL must support affirmative action as a civil rights organization.

Most of the rest of the issue covered the July tri-district conference in Albuquerque, with reports from Gwen Muranaka, Richard Suenaga and Harry K. Honda on workshops, speeches, elections and district meetings. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Japanese American authors, and Bill Marutani told the story of an aluminum footlocker. Diane Takeuchi asked for help placing copies of a Minidoka yearbook in libraries. Mei Nakano reported on a workplace bias case.

What’s in this issue

National

• Taking Sides in the Hot Debate on Affirmative Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL criticized the July 20 vote by the University of California Board of Regents to eliminate affirmative action in admissions, hiring and contracting. National President Denny Yasuhara said minorities and women are starting far behind white males and need affirmative action to catch up, while Gov. Pete Wilson and Regent Ward Connerly defended the decision.
• JACL Praises Clinton Support of Affirmative Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL praised President Clinton for defending affirmative action in a July 19 speech at the National Archives, adopting a ‘mend it, not end it’ position. National President Denny Yasuhara and acting Washington representative Leigh Ann Miyasato commended Clinton for standing firm on the principle despite political pressure.
• Affirmative Action: The Yeas and Nays, by P.C. Staff, page 13. The article presents contrasting statements from Japanese Americans on both sides of the UC Regents’ affirmative action vote, including Lance Izumi and Nao Takasugi opposing it and Rep. Norman Mineta and Angelo Ancheta supporting it. It highlights the internal community debate over the controversial decision.
• JA Woman Charged in Murder of Her Baby, by P.C. Staff, page 20. Doreenann Suyeyoshi, 26, of Cloverdale, Calif., was charged with murder after admitting she gave birth in her truck and placed the baby in a garbage bag, believing she couldn’t afford to have a child. Her public defender argues her Miranda rights were violated and plans to present cultural upbringing factors in her defense.

JACL

• Upshot: It’s Time to Move Forward, by Richard Suenaga, page 1. About 140 JACL members attended the July 20-23, 1995 tri-district conference in Albuquerque, N.M., combining business with social activities. Despite ongoing financial and organizational problems, members and leaders including President Denny Yasuhara expressed a determination to move the organization forward rather than dwell on past issues.
• Multiculturalism is Key to Future, Says Glenda Joe, by Gwen Muranaka, page 4. Edison Uno civil rights award recipient Glenda Joe told the tri-district luncheon that the future of Asian Pacific Americans lies in the growing multicultural Asian American population. Joe, of mixed Chinese, Irish and Texan heritage, described her work as a bridge builder between Asian and African American communities in Houston.
• Kometani Elected EDC Governor; Hayashi Returns for Another Term in MDC, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Tom Kometani of the New York Chapter was elected governor of the Eastern District, succeeding Teresa Maebori who served two terms. David Hayashi of the Twin Cities Chapter will serve a second term as MDC governor, with several other district officers also elected or continuing in their positions.
• Immigration, New V.P. Position Among Member Discussions, by P.C. Staff, page 4. At the joint tri-district meeting, EDC-MDC-MPDC passed resolutions opposing H.R. 1915 on immigration reform and supporting Asian American studies in higher education. Members also debated creating a new vice president for fund development position and other organizational resolutions.
• New Views, Tips Highlight Presentations at Tri-District, by Gwen Muranaka, page 5. A workshop at the tri-district conference challenged National Board members to debate JACL’s future, with Randy Shibata taking the role of devil’s advocate arguing that Nisei mortality rates threaten the organization’s survival. Board members including Denny Yasuhara and David Hayashi countered that membership increases in some chapters show hope for JACL’s future.
• Speaker Says JACL National Board Must Take Fiduciary Responsibility, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Perry Mori, professor emeritus in accounting at the University of New Mexico, told tri-district attendees that the JACL executive board must bear full fiduciary responsibility and should include members with legal, accounting or financial expertise. He urged members to actively seek qualified candidates and implement better financial controls including documentation and checks and balances.
• Learning About Total Quality Management, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Ken Nakamoto, branch manager at Allen Bradley Corp., explained how total quality management principles could be applied to JACL chapters and the organization as a whole. He outlined key elements including identifying critical processes, creating a quality manual, and understanding membership needs as customers of the organization.
• Members, Board Must Reinvigorate JACL, Yasuhara Says, by Richard Suenaga, page 6. JACL President Denny Yasuhara told the Albuquerque tri-district banquet that the organization is on the road to recovery after difficult financial cuts made in December 1994, crediting new interim staff for bringing stability. He called on members to take responsibility, support membership renewal and fundraising efforts, and recognize the continuing need for JACL amid rising anti-Asian violence and discriminatory policies.
• EDC Reports: Membership on Their Minds, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Eastern District Council held a membership contest among chapters with a goal of 10% increase in overall membership, with the Southeast Chapter aiming for 20% growth. Members discussed strategies for recruiting including local promotional efforts and reaching young professionals, plus Lily Okura announced the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Washington D.C. Chapter.
• EDC Members Seek Bone Marrow Donor, by P.C. Staff, page 7. On behalf of Roy and Yuri Kita of the Philadelphia Chapter, tri-district participants were asked to join the bone marrow donor program to help find a match for their grandson Brendan, age 10, who has acute leukemia. Because Brendan is Eurasian, an Eurasian donor is most likely to match, and donors from minority groups are tested free of charge.
• MPDC Reports: Members Talk About Status of PC, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Mountain-Plains District Council delegates discussed the Pacific Citizen’s financial troubles, with Ron Shibata explaining his resignation from the PC Editorial Board over bad business policies enacted by the national council. Members also discussed JACL candidate qualifications, district finances, and multi-ethnic programs across chapters.
• MDC Reports: Immigration, Services from National JACL on the Minds of Midwest District Members, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Midwest District Council members focused discussion on anti-immigrant legislation and the need for greater communication from national headquarters, with members criticizing inadequate one-way communication from leadership. The district also discussed education curriculum initiatives, a proposal from American Express Financial Advisors, and establishing an E-mail network among members.
• Color JACL’s Future ‘Multicultural’ Say JACL Leaders, by Harry K. Honda, page 9. A workshop on ‘Multicultural Families in JACL’ explored the interracial makeup thinning the Japanese American community, with panelists sharing personal stories about their multicultural families and identities. Speakers including Sharon Ishii-Jordan and former national president K. Patrick Okura discussed how JACL must address the changing needs of multicultural family and individual identities.
• Need a Grant? Identify Sources, Write a Great Proposal, by Richard Suenaga, page 9. F. Leroy Pacheco and Jim Martinez of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce provided JACL members with tips on identifying and applying for grants at a tri-district workshop. They emphasized making a strong first impression, establishing project focus, and understanding evaluation criteria for successful grant proposals.
• Dealing With Inter-Ethnic Conflict is High on Agenda, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Speakers at an inter-ethnic conflict workshop, including Mary Molina Mescall of the Albuquerque Police Department and activist Glenda Joe, discussed the importance of minority groups working together and having representation on policy-making boards. They also debated differing approaches to managing media relations during conflicts.
• Legacy Fund Grants: Eight Chapters Awarded Funding, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Lillian Kimura announced the 1995 recipients of JACL Legacy Fund grants, funded by 10% of the fund’s earnings, awarded to eight chapters including Florin, Portland, San Francisco, San Mateo, Dayton, Detroit, Mile Hi, and Washington D.C. Projects ranged from educational videos and curriculum materials to historic exhibitions and memorial commemorations.
• Tri-District Members Get Preview of ’96 JACL San Jose Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Sharon Uyeda of the San Jose Chapter previewed the 1996 JACL National Convention scheduled for Aug. 6-11 at the Fairmont Hotel, with the theme changed to ‘For the Sake of the Children’ to reflect multicultural changes in the community. Planned events include golf, a luau mixer, workshops on Hapa issues and affirmative action, a speech contest, and awards luncheon.
• Golf Tournament Results, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Randy Shibata announced results of the tri-district golf tournament with David Hayashi taking first place, followed by Randy Shibata, Mas Yamasaki, and George Yasukochi. Shibata also gave a special award to Hank Tanaka for being the first person to sign up for the conference.
• Here’s 10 Good Reasons to Head for Atlanta in ’97, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Mike Furukawa of the new Southeast Chapter used a David Letterman-style top-10 list to successfully lobby for Atlanta to host the 1997 tri-district conference. All three districts passed a joint resolution naming Atlanta as the site, even though the Midwest was normally next in line to host.

Commentary

• In Violent Times, Guns May Be Needed, Says Speakers, by Gwen Muranaka, page 9. A workshop on firearms as self-defense at the tri-district conference featured Ron Shibata arguing that Asians are often targeted as easy victims and individuals must protect themselves. Attorney Roger Finzel and lobbyist Charles Weisleder discussed proper gun training and concealed carry laws, while other members challenged the statistics presented.
• The Flight of Fifty Years Continues: ‘The Footlocker’, by Bill Marutani, page 10. Marutani recounts his personal history of acquiring an aluminum footlocker in post-war Tokyo made from scavenged wartime aircraft parts. He describes traveling to visit his sister and her children in the Hiroshima countryside after her husband died in the atomic bombing, bringing supplies packed in the footlocker.
• The Other Side of Affirmative Action, by S. Stephen Nakashima, page 11. UC Regent Nakashima defends his vote to eliminate affirmative action, arguing that no minority student meeting the top 12.5% eligibility requirement will be denied admission and that the change only ends discriminatory campus-selection preferences. He contends the real solution to underrepresentation is addressing K-12 educational performance rather than continuing race-based preferences.
• We Need Affirmative Action, by Jerry Enomoto, page 11. Former JACL national president Enomoto criticizes the UC Board of Regents’ decision to eliminate affirmative action as politically motivated racial politics led by Pete Wilson. He praises President Clinton’s ‘mend it, don’t end it’ stance and argues JACL must aggressively support affirmative action as a civil rights organization.
• Bias in the Workplace, by Mei Nakano, page 12. Nakano details the case of Yuko Franklin, a Japanese American professor fired from San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies department amid allegations of nepotism and discrimination by department leaders Marlon Hom and Lorraine Dong. Franklin filed complaints alleging her firing was discriminatory, highlighting the difficulty women face challenging bias within their own communities.
• Don’t Be Scared, This Singles Event is Fun, by Kaz Mayemura, page 13. The 7th National JACL Singles Convention on Labor Day weekend in Costa Mesa will feature workshops on personal growth, relationships, and communication styles rather than intimidating singles-mixer formats. Workshops include topics like ‘How To Be More Lovable,’ understanding gender differences, and coping with life transitions.

In-Depth

• JA Writers Coming Into Their Own, by Bill Hosokawa, page 10. Hosokawa reflects on the growing number of quality books published by and about Japanese Americans, highlighting the newly published ‘Touching the Stones’ about Japanese immigrants in Oregon. The book, sold to fund the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Portland, tells the story through photographs and text of the community’s history and civil rights struggles.
• PANA Members Discuss Future Organization, by Harry K. Honda, page 18. The 8th Pan American Nikkei Association Convention in Lima concluded with discussions about establishing a multi-national Japanese chamber of commerce and plans for future conventions in Chile and Mexico City. Speakers included Peru’s Constituent Congress president Jaime Yoshiyama and representatives from Nikkei communities across the Americas discussing redress, politics, and cultural integration.

Incarceration & Redress

• Wants to Donate Minidoka Yearbook to Libraries, by Diane Takeuchi, page 10. A reader’s late father dreamed of reprinting ‘The Minidoka Interlude,’ a 1943 yearbook of the internment camp in Idaho, planning to donate 500 copies to libraries using his redress payment. The family is now completing the reprinting project and seeks suggestions for libraries and organizations that would be interested in receiving copies.

Community

• Panel Discussion Set by JACL District on Affirmative Action, by P.C. Staff, page 13. The Northern California Western Nevada Pacific district scheduled an Aug. 13 panel discussion on affirmative action featuring Valora Harvey speaking in favor and Lance Izumi speaking against. The meeting, hosted by the San Jose Chapter, includes a business session and lunch at Yokohama Restaurant.

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