Redress education fund goes unfunded as the PC dispute divides JACL

Vol. 117, No. 15, October 29, 1993. 8 pages. View this issue

Congress left the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund without money in its fiscal year 1994 appropriations, even though President Clinton had asked for $5 million. About $100 million was approved for individual redress payments. Karen Narasaki and Randy Senzaki of JACL voiced disappointment. Most of this eight-page issue, though, was given to the firing of Paul M. Shinkawa, chair of the PC Board, by JACL President Lillian Kimura. Bill Hosokawa, Neal Taniguchi, Karl K. Nobuyuki and editor Richard Suenaga all weighed in on editorial independence, alongside several letters from readers.

Other pages cover JACL’s criticism of anti-immigrant proposals in Washington and California, a Gardena forum on U.S.-Japan relations, and Grayce Uyehara’s note on how JACL Legacy Fund earnings may be used. The paper also reported the death of William Kochiyama, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran and Harlem activist.

What’s in this issue

National

• Congress Fails to Appropriate Money for Redress Education Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congress did not include funding for the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund in its fiscal year 1994 appropriations, despite President Clinton’s $5 million request, though $100 million was approved for individual redress payments. Sen. Hollings blocked the funding despite Sen. Inouye’s support, prompting disappointment from JACL officials Karen Narasaki and Randy Senzaki.
• Forum Continues to Examine New and Better Approaches to Bringing U.S. and Japan Closer on Trade and Other Issues, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. A forum in Gardena, Calif. brought together panelists including David Arase, Fred Notehelfer, Mike Mochizuki, Peter Berton and moderator Steve Clemons to discuss U.S.-Japan relations and the role of Japanese Americans in the debate. Panelists discussed the need to distinguish valid policy criticism from racist stereotyping and the risk that trade friction could lead to anti-Asian violence.
• JACL Critical of Anti-Immigrant Initiatives, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL criticized immigration legislation proposed by the Clinton Administration and Congress members that would restrict asylum process rights and give the INS broad discretion over asylum applicants. JACL also objected to California proposals to deny citizenship, education and health care to children of illegal immigrants, citing the community’s own history with discriminatory citizenship laws.

Community

• Sacramento Chapter, JACL Re-Opens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento JACL Chapter reopened its office at 2124 10th Street with a small staff to serve membership needs. The office will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with limited hours, according to chapter president Randy Imai.
• Berkeley Forum Examines Media Stereotyping, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A discussion titled ‘Ah so homeboy… Racial and Cultural Stereotyping in the Media’ was held Oct. 13 at the North Berkeley Senior Center, addressing portrayals and stereotypes in media. About 50 people attended the panel discussion moderated by columnist Bill Wong.
• Hirabayashi Video Available at Reduced Price, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco Chapter, JACL, donated copies of the video ‘A Personal Matter: Gordon Hirabayashi vs. the United States’ to the San Francisco Unified School District. The video will remain available to JACL chapters at a reduced price of $50 through June 30, 1994, thanks to CrossCurrent Media’s Michael Jeung.

JACL

• New IDC Officers Elected, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New officers were elected for the Intermountain District Council on Oct. 16 at its meeting in Jackpot, Nev. Jeff Itami was elected governor along with several other officers filling various positions.

Military & Veterans

• Activist, 442nd Soldier Kochiyama Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 3. William Kochiyama, Asian American activist and member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s Company K, died at age 72 in New York from cardiac complications. He and wife Yuri Kochiyama were longtime civil rights activists in Harlem who testified before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and participated in redress efforts.

Commentary

• Where Earnings Should Go, by Grayce Uyehara, page 4. Uyehara, chairwoman of the JACL Legacy Fund Campaign Committee, clarifies that Legacy Fund earnings are restricted to support JACL’s Program for Action and are not meant for general operations, contrary to a previous article. She cites the official Legacy Fund Statement’s earnings distribution formula and stresses the need for clear communication about the fund’s purpose to contributors and chapters.
• Enough Is Enough, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa reviews the conflict between the JACL National Board and Pacific Citizen staff over editorial independence, detailing the events leading to PC Board chair Paul M. Shinkawa’s firing after he refused a gag order from President Lillian Kimura. He argues the National Board’s actions polarized the dispute rather than resolving the underlying question of PC’s proper role as an independent yet JACL-affiliated publication.
• What Was National’s Rising Sun Rationale?, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 5. Nobuyuki questions the JACL National Board’s rationale for forming a coalition against the book and film ‘Rising Sun,’ arguing the League’s position lacked objective analysis of why the work was objectionable. He contends the National Board’s reaction to the PC’s coverage was disproportionate and that priorities should be based on organizational needs rather than blaming PC for shortcomings.
• Are We to Expect Censorship, Reader Asks, by Wika Hinamatea, page 5. A reader expresses confusion and concern over the firing of Paul M. Shinkawa, questioning whether National JACL will now censor information reported by the Pacific Citizen. The writer praises Shinkawa’s journalistic integrity and warns that JACL should not treat members as needing only ‘official’ opinions.
• Shinkawa Firing Was Petty, Reader Says, by Jean Y. Yen, page 5. A new Pacific Citizen subscriber expresses shock at the firing of Paul M. Shinkawa by the JACL National President, calling it an act of ego and personal pettiness. The writer says she may not renew her subscription due to the political climate within the boards.
• If PC Censored, Reader Will Cancel Membership, page 5. A 12-year JACL member and former national youth council chair expresses disappointment over the events surrounding Pacific Citizen at the last national board meeting. The writer states that without an independent PC, JACL serves no purpose beyond self-indulgence, and threatens to end membership if the board censors the paper.
• The Irresponsible Use of the Free Press, by Neal Taniguchi, page 6. Taniguchi, JACL National vice president for general operations, argues that Pacific Citizen has failed in its role as an educational and public relations vehicle for JACL by acting as a ‘watchdog’ rather than providing balanced coverage. He cites examples including inadequate coverage of National Board meetings and the new Georgia Chapter, and raises questions about PC’s business practices.
• Answering Taniguchi’s Charges, by Richard Suenaga, page 6. Pacific Citizen editor Richard Suenaga responds point-by-point to Neal Taniguchi’s accusations, denying that PC solicited letters of support and detailing how he saved PC money by selling personal furniture at below-market rates. He also explains the American Express card reimbursement for former PC Board chair Paul Shinkawa and defends the newspaper’s advertising and business practices.
• President Had Right to Fire Shinkawa, by George Rodama, page 6. A reader argues that JACL President Lillian Kimura had every right to dismiss PC Board chair Paul Shinkawa if she believed he was not serving the best interests of the organization. The writer suggests Kimura faces a tough job and doesn’t need additional internal conflict.
• …And This, Too, Shall Pass Away, by (Anonymous), page 6. An anonymous columnist reflects on enduring patterns within JACL leadership, including a tendency toward self-importance and difficulty accepting internal criticism. The writer suggests the PC controversy might be resolved by spinning off the newspaper into an independent corporate entity.
• Don’t Blame the PC, by Karl K. Nobuyuki, page 7. Nobuyuki continues his critique of the National Board’s handling of the Rising Sun coalition and the ‘Jap Road’ issue, arguing that the National Board should focus on fixing problems rather than assigning blame to Pacific Citizen. He states that priorities must be based on detailed analysis and available resources, not blame-shifting.
• Response to Taniguchi Continued, by Neal Taniguchi, page 7. Taniguchi continues his critique, questioning specific PC financial practices such as reimbursement of Shinkawa’s American Express fee and paid staff meals, while national staff receive neither. He calls for the PC to work in concert with the National Board and adopt principles that balance editorial independence with organizational responsibility.

Obituaries

• Tadao Beppu, 77, Honolulu, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Tadao Beppu, a Kihei-born WWII 442nd Co. M veteran, died in Honolulu on July 22 at age 77. He was a key Democratic party figure who served as administrative assistant to Sen. Inouye, was elected to the territorial and state House, served as House speaker from 1967-74, and was survived by his wife Alice, son William, daughter Anita, and sister Shizuka.
• G.N. Toshisuke ‘Tosh’ Enomoto, 87, Paia, Maui, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Toshisuke Enomoto, a Kaunakakai-born WWII MIS veteran, died July 22 at age 87. He served as Maui County clerk for two decades and was active in numerous church and civic groups, survived by six sons, five daughters, and 26 grandchildren.

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