Vol. 116, No. 6, February 12, 1993. 8 pages. View this issue
Racial slurs in public life drew the most attention in this eight-page issue. Gwen Muranaka reported on the unresolved case in Spokane, where a Democratic official was said to have used a slur against Asian Americans, and the paper followed up with calls for an apology from the party. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi said the penalty given to Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was not enough, while Rep. Robert Matsui praised it. The NCWNP District Council also voted to support lifting the ban on gay people in the military.
Other pages cover the Bruce Yamashita case, where a Navy board refused to address racism claims, and plans for a Day of Remembrance in Chicago marking Executive Order 9066. Bill Hosokawa and Lillian C. Kimura wrote columns, and a 442nd reunion in Waikiki was announced.
What’s in this issue
National
- NCWNP Council Supports Lifting of Gay Ban in Military, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific District Council of JACL passed a motion supporting President Clinton’s move to lift the ban on homosexuals in the U.S. Armed Forces. The motion, presented by Jon Kubokawa, urged Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn to reconsider his opposition, drawing parallels to historic discrimination against Japanese Americans.
- The Mysterious Racial Slur: Who Admits to It? Round and Round It Goes in Spokane, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. A prominent Spokane Democratic official, Marge Davis, allegedly used a racial slur against Asian Americans during a party meeting, but the local Democratic party has mishandled the aftermath with contradictory statements and no formal action taken. An inquiry committee found evidence the slur was used but disputed who actually said it, leaving the matter unresolved.
- Matsui Praises Schott Decision, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rep. Robert Matsui praised Major League Baseball’s action against Marge Schott, saying owners did what was necessary to preserve public faith in the game. He noted baseball still has a long way to go in fully integrating itself but called the decision a major step forward.
- Slur Investigation Continues in Spokane, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Local businessman Chris Marr of the Spokane Chapter, JACL, is demanding an unequivocal apology from the Democratic party to Patrick Ng and the Asian American community following the racial slur incident. Marr criticized the party’s handling of the issue and plans to raise it further at the Spokane JACL chapter board meeting.
Military & Veterans
- Board Says ‘No Discrimination’ in Yamashita Disenrollment Case, page 1. The Naval Discharge Review Board upheld a previous decision denying that discrimination was a factor in Bruce Yamashita’s disenrollment from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in 1989. Yamashita’s attorney Clayton Ikei plans to appeal to the Board of Correction of Naval Records, saying the Marine Corps is stalling on addressing the issues.
- 442nd Reunion Plans Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A reunion event at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel will include a sayonara banquet with Colin Powell expected to keynote, a memorial address by Dr. Michael Oksenberg, and actor Pat Morita serving as emcee. Some 3,000 participants including veterans and international contingents from France and Texas are expected to attend.
- Yamashita Case: Board’s Decision Called ‘Catch 22’, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Bruce Yamashita’s attorney says the Naval Discharge Review Board’s refusal to address racism claims leaves no venue to remedy the injustices in his 1989 disenrollment from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Statistical analysis presented showed racial bias existed in at least 25 OCS classes during the 1980s, with race identified as a primary factor in his case.
JACL
- JACL: Action Against Cincinnati Reds Owner Schott Is Not Enough, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi said Marge Schott’s one-year suspension and $25,000 fine from Major League Baseball for racial slurs are insufficient. Hayashi called on Reds management to arrange a meeting between Schott and Asian American community leaders, similar to meetings she held with Black and Jewish leaders.
- Scholarships Available from Sacramento and Central California District Council Chapters, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sacramento Chapter, JACL, is offering about 20 scholarships ranging from $400 to $1,500 for Sacramento-area students of Japanese ancestry, with an application deadline of March 1. The Central California District Council is offering six scholarships to entering college freshmen with a March 26 deadline.
- Membership Service Widens, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL’s Centralized Membership Program, initiated in 1992, has expanded from 17 to 51 participating chapters nationwide, streamlining renewal notices and membership card issuance through National Headquarters. Officials say the program allows chapters to focus more on recruitment and development of membership programs.
- Long Distance Program Is New JACL Benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL Members’ Long Distance Advantage Program (MLDA) offers members discounted long distance calling rates through a digital fiber optic network, with no cost to join and savings of up to 25% on calls made after 5 p.m. Royalties from the program will support JACL’s educational and civil rights initiatives.
- In-Sight Column Continued: Yoshino Named Asian American of the Year, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 8. Bill Yoshino was named Asian American of the Year by the Asian American Coalition in Chicago and will be honored at its Lunar New Year dinner. Kimura also discusses ongoing organizational structure report preparations for the JACL board and Tri-District meetings.
Incarceration & Redress
- Chicago to Mark Day of Remembrance, by Joy Yamasaki, page 1. The Chicago Chapter, JACL, will hold its Day of Remembrance event on Feb. 19, marking the 51st anniversary of Executive Order 9066, featuring Sansei re-creations of the internment experience. The program includes a screening of Rea Tajiri’s documentary and an excerpt from Dwight Okita’s upcoming play about post-internment resettlement.
Community
- PSW Schedules Tri-District Event, by B.J. Watanabe, page 3. The Pacific Southwest District Council of JACL will host the 1993 Tri-District Conference April 2-4 at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa, featuring workshops on topics like hate crimes, inter-racial dating, and Japanese Americans in politics. Doris Matsui, deputy public liaison for President Clinton, will be the featured dinner speaker.
- Chicago Get-Together, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Members of the Chicago Chapter, JACL, board were recently installed in a ceremony attended by National President Lillian Kimura and MDC Regional Director Bill Yoshino. The photo caption lists numerous board members present at the installation.
Commentary
- Unfinished Business, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa recounts how Fresno Bee editor Tom Kirwin accepted the Frank Nishio Civil Rights Award and donated it to the Hubert Phillips Memorial Scholarship, acknowledging the newspaper’s past hostility toward Japanese Americans during WWII. The column reflects on how West Coast newspapers historically sensationalized anti-Japanese sentiment but have since evolved toward fairness and balance.
- Headin’ West, by Lillian C. Kimura, page 6. JACL National President Lillian Kimura describes her travels visiting chapters in Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago, and Milwaukee, including a 70th anniversary celebration in San Jose featuring Sen. Dan Inouye. She also discusses organizational planning meetings and the Legacy Fund Campaign’s fundraising strategies.
- Racism and Riots, by Koji Uesugi, page 6. A UC Davis student reflects on the 1992 Los Angeles riots and rising anti-Asian sentiment fueled by Japan-bashing rhetoric during that year’s presidential election. He argues that ignorance is at the root of racial tension and calls for greater education and cultural awareness to prevent future incidents of violence.
Obituaries
- Deaths in the Community, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This issue lists numerous community obituaries including Raymond Inouye, Eteuro Ishikawa (a NASA employee), Matsuno Katase, and Henry Suzuki (a WWII MIS veteran and civil engineer). Survivors and biographical details are listed for each deceased individual.
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