Racial slurs, an apology in Spokane and the Wang acquittal

Vol. 121, No. 1, July 7, 1995. 12 pages. View this issue

Racial slurs ran through the front page of this 12-page issue. The Spokane County and Washington State Democratic Central Committees publicly apologized for slurs used three years earlier and adopted a formal grievance procedure, after a lawsuit by the Spokane Chapter, JACL. Gwen Muranaka reported that JACL National President Denny Yasuhara protested a UAW official’s use of a slur in front of President Clinton, and UAW President Stephen Yokich replied on page 9. Capt. James Wang was acquitted in the Gulf War friendly fire case, and the issue returned to it with support from Rep. Robert Matsui and others.

The Justice Department’s search for more than 4,000 people who may be eligible for redress payments under the Civil Liberties Act appeared on page 3, and a Tule Lake reunion symposium on page 4 included Fred Korematsu. Commentary came from Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani, Bruce Haines and Karl K. Nobuyuki, with book reviews and scholarship news on pages 10 and 11.

What’s in this issue

National

• Spokane Democrats Apologize for Slur, Agree to Grievance Procedures, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three years after Spokane County Democratic officials used racial slurs against Asian Americans, the Spokane and Washington State Democratic Central Committees publicly apologized and adopted a formal grievance procedure. The apology followed a lawsuit brought by the Spokane Chapter, JACL and five individual plaintiffs.
• JACL Protests Remark by UAW Official: ‘Take on Japs’ Said in Front of President Clinton, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. During a June 22 tour of a Ford plant, UAW bargaining chairman Earl Nail exhorted President Clinton to ‘Take on the Japs!’ JACL National President Denny Yasuhara wrote to Nail protesting the remark, and Clinton did not correct the slur at the time.
• U.S., Japan Reach Trade Accord, by P.C. Staff, page 1. As the U.S. and Japan stepped back from a trade war, the Japan Chapter of JACL passed a resolution urging both countries to resolve trade differences without acrimony that could harm Japanese Americans. The two countries reached an agreement on auto trade just before threatened U.S. tariffs were to take effect.
• JACL Leaders Get Grim Message: Immigration on Rough Road in Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National President Denny Yasuhara and Acting Washington Representative Leigh-Ann Miyasato met with several Asian Pacific American members of Congress about tough upcoming immigration battles. Lawmakers including Norman Mineta, Jay Kim, Daniel Inouye, and Neil Abercrombie discussed proposed immigration cuts and affirmative action concerns.
• 4,000 Potentially Eligible Redress Recipients Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Justice Department’s Office of Redress Administration is seeking help locating more than 4,000 Japanese Americans who may be eligible for $20,000 redress payments under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. ORA has used various methods to track down missing recipients and is asking the community for assistance.
• In Jail, Korean Youth Weighs the Fort Worth Bomb Hoax, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Peter Jeune Koh, 18, was arrested and held without bail after allegedly placing a fake truck bomb outside a Fort Worth school building to delay a college calculus exam. Koh and companions were later stopped by police in Texas with illegal weapons after fleeing across state lines.
• JACL Protest Continued: UAW Responds to Slur Complaint, by P.C. Staff, page 9. UAW President Stephen Yokich responded to JACL’s complaint about Earl Nail’s ‘Jap’ remark, expressing regret over the incident while defending the union’s civil rights record. JACL’s Leigh-Ann Miyasato countered that the term is inherently a racial slur regardless of intent, comparing it to other ethnic slurs.

Commentary

• Humorist Mark Russell Tells JACL: ‘I Didn’t Use the Word Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Humorist Mark Russell responded to JACL protests over a PBS broadcast, denying he used the word ‘Jap’ in a song parody targeting Sen. Alfonse D’Amato’s mock Japanese accent aimed at Judge Lance Ito. Russell said the lyric referenced ‘judge’ not a racial slur, and offered to send a tape of the broadcast for review.
• Ethnic Role Reversal, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. Bill Hosokawa examines the Disney Pocahontas film and questions why in literature and film it is almost always the Caucasian male who crosses racial lines to win a non-Caucasian woman’s heart. He notes rare exceptions like Valentino’s sheik roles and Othello, but suggests reversing the stereotype with a story about a Japanese baseball pitcher.
• Asian Graduates, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Bill Marutani recounts attending his granddaughter’s graduation from the Rhode Island School of Design, describing the creative and unconventional attire of graduates. He reflects on the cultural contrast between his own conservative upbringing and the free-spirited artistic culture, while noting the surprising number of Asian graduates in conventional attire.
• New Era Requires New Directions, Goals, Says Reader, page 8. A reader letter argues that JACL’s internal turmoil stems from an identity crisis following the achievement of redress, as the organization must now redefine its purpose in a changed society. The writer expresses hope to contribute to forming JACL’s new identity and direction.
• Reader Concerned About Abusive Writers, page 8. A reader letter requests that Pacific Citizen adopt a policy against printing letters with abusive language, particularly criticizing anti-JACL writers who attacked columnist Karl Nobuyuki. The writer argues that honoring the sacrifice of those who died in WWII would be diminished if JACL apologized to draft resisters.
• Racism Fueled A-Bomb in WWII, by Bruce Haines, page 9. Bruce Haines argues against the traditional narrative that atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved lives, contending that Japan was already seeking surrender and that racism played a significant role in the decision to use the bombs. He asserts the U.S. should apologize for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, citing broken Japanese codes and diplomatic peace feelers that were ignored.
• Resisting the Truth, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 9. Karl Nobuyuki rebuts criticism of his views on Nikkei draft resisters, arguing alongside Dr. Harold Harada that resisters should accept responsibility for their wartime actions rather than blaming JACL leadership. He cites court records and quotes from Nisei veterans like Ben Kuroki to support the view that resistance worsened conditions and undermined community loyalty efforts.

Military & Veterans

• Capt. Wang Acquitted in Gulf War ‘Friendly Fire’ Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Capt. James Wang was acquitted June 20 of charges stemming from the friendly fire downing of two U.S. Army helicopters over Iraq during the Persian Gulf War. Wang said the fight for accountability isn’t over and pushed for Congressional hearings into the incident.
• Wang Case Draws Support from Congress and Asian American Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Rep. Robert Matsui and the Organization of Chinese Americans expressed support for Capt. James Wang’s acquittal in the friendly fire case, while continuing to push for a full Congressional investigation. Matsui and other members of Congress sent a letter urging hearings into the 1993 helicopter shootdown that killed 26 people.

Incarceration & Redress

• Site for Memorial Honoring JA Patriotism Set in Washington, D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 3. A triangular site near the U.S. Capitol was approved as the location for a memorial honoring the patriotism of Japanese Americans during World War II. The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation will need Congressional legislation to transfer the property and plans a national capital campaign to raise funds.
• Tule Lake Reunion Features Symposium on JA Legacy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A symposium titled ‘The Japanese American Legacy’ at Tule Lake Reunion V in Sacramento featured speakers including Mary Tsukamoto, Fred Korematsu, Dale Minami, Judge William Marutani, and Priscilla Ouchida discussing internment history, redress, and education. The panel was moderated by historian Wayne Maeda.

Community

• University Adds AP Studies Major, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Loyola Marymount University will offer a new major in Asian and Pacific studies starting in the fall, announced by Dr. Santiago Sia. The major allows students to focus on various academic disciplines related to Asian and Pacific cultures and issues.
• Nisei Couple Donate $100,000 to UCLA, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Toshio and Chiyoko Doris Hoshide of Rockville, Md., donated more than $100,000 in cash and property to UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center, the largest single gift ever received. The donation establishes two scholarship endowments and includes historical manuscripts and photos.
• Event Explores Issues Between Jewish and Japanese Communities, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jewish and Japanese American community leaders organized the first joint conference between the two communities, titled ‘Foundations, Reflections and Challenges,’ held July 16 in Los Angeles. The conference featured scholar Ben-Ami Shillony and Hiroki Sugihara, son of diplomat Chiune Sugihara who saved thousands of Jews during World War II.
• Theme of JACL 7th Singles Event is ‘Come Alive in ’95’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The 7th National JACL Singles Convention will be held Labor Day weekend at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa, featuring mixers, workshops, tournaments, and a gala banquet. Celebrities including Trisha Takasugi, Amy Hill, and Nobu McCarthy will attend.
• Arizona Awards 6 Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 10. Six scholarships were awarded by the Arizona JACL at the 34th annual Sara Hutchings Clardy Awards and graduates banquet, with National President Denny Yasuhara as guest speaker. Recipients included students from various Phoenix-area high schools.
• Central Cal DC Honors 7 Prep Grads, by P.C. Staff, page 10. The Central California District Council announced its 1995 scholarship and citizenship award recipients, based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need. Seven high school graduates received various named scholarships including the CCDC scholarship and Union Bank scholarship.

Arts & Entertainment

• New Ads Feature Kristi Yamaguchi, by P.C. Staff, page 3. 1992 Olympic figure skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, now on professional tour, appears in new ads for Hoechst Celanese apparel. The ads run in major fashion publications including WWD, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar.
• Study Shows Effect of Redress on Japanese Ethnicity, by Sachi Seko, page 10. A book review of Yasuko I. Takezawa’s ‘Breaking the Silence: Redress and Japanese American Ethnicity’ explores how the internment and redress movement transformed Japanese American identity across generations. The book examines generational differences between Nisei and Sansei and how the redress campaign facilitated intergenerational dialogue about wartime experiences.
• Scope of 32 Writers Assembled in Growing Up Asian American, by Harry K. Honda, page 10. A review of the anthology ‘Growing Up Asian American,’ edited by Maria Hong, featuring stories and essays by Asian American writers about childhood and coming of age from the 1800s to 1900s. Japanese American contributors include Toshio Mori, Wakako Yamauchi, Hisaye Yamamoto, and others.

JACL

• JA Foundation Names Executive Director, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George M. Wakiji of Alexandria, Va., was named executive director of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Mari Hashimoto was appointed administrative assistant, and the foundation was chartered by Congress to commemorate Japanese American patriotism during World War II.
• Former Staff Accuse JACL of Stalling Severance Negotiations, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Four former JACL national staff employees accused the organization of deliberately stalling severance negotiations after a mediation meeting was cancelled. JACL President Denny Yasuhara said a fair offer was made and accused the staff’s lawyer, Donna Ryu, of trying the case in the media.
• Ujifusa to Participate in Social Policies Forum, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Grant Ujifusa, JACL redress strategy chair, was invited to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Domestic Strategy Group discussing social policy issues like affirmative action. Ujifusa previously played a key role in the redress campaign, including convincing Newt Gingrich to support the Japanese American redress bill.

Sports

• Nomomania Grips Los Angeles as Dodger Pitcher Breaks Records, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo has become a Los Angeles baseball phenomenon, throwing a shutout against the Colorado Rockies and striking out 13 batters, breaking Sandy Koufax’s strikeout record. Broadcaster Jaime Jarrin compared the excitement to Fernandomania of 1981.

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