Redress education fund, a ‘Zoot Suit’ dispute and same-sex marriage

Vol. 118, No. 18, May 13, 1994. 8 pages. View this issue

Money for the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund led the news. Rep. Harold Rogers questioned the Clinton Administration’s $5 million request, while Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick and Rep. Robert Matsui defended it as a way to teach the public about WWII civil rights violations. Gwen Muranaka reported on Reiko Obata, a San Diego-area teacher placed on leave over her plan to show the film ‘Zoot Suit.’ Other front-page stories covered the Wards Cove cannery workers bill and a close House committee vote against denying SSI benefits to non-citizens, with immigration and civil rights at stake.

Opinion pages took up whether JACL should address same-sex marriage, with Karen Narasaki and Joe R. Allman on opposite sides. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the Japanese American legacy across many states, and Bill Marutani about gambling. Inside are the JACL National Board agenda, a youth program debate, and the Salt Lake City national convention deadlines.

What’s in this issue

National

• Congressman Attacks Redress Education Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Harold Rogers criticized the Clinton Administration’s $5 million appropriations request for the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund, questioning why funds were needed after redress payments. Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick and Rep. Robert Matsui defended the fund as necessary to educate the public about WWII civil rights violations.
• San Diego-Area Nikkei Teacher Dismissed Over ‘Zoot Suit’ Movie Plan, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. Teacher Reiko Obata was placed on paid leave from Santana High School after a dispute with administrators over her plan to show the film ‘Zoot Suit’ to educate students about racism. Despite parental consent forms and student support, the principal rejected the film citing language and violence, prompting Obata to file a complaint.
• JACL, APA Groups Urge Kennedy Move Wards Cove Legislation onto Senate Floor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives from JACL and other Asian Pacific American organizations urged Senator Edward Kennedy to advance the Justice for Wards Cove Workers Act to a full Senate vote. The legislation would repeal an exemption that denied Civil Rights Act coverage to a discrimination case involving thousands of Asian Pacific American and Alaska Native cannery workers.
• Anti-Immigrant Amendment Defeated in Close House Vote, Says JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 20-16 against an amendment by Rep. Rick Santorum that would have denied SSI benefits to non-citizens including legal permanent residents. JACL, OCA and APALA mobilized opposition, though the fight is expected to continue when the bill reaches the full House.
• How Committee Members Voted on Immigrant Benefits Amendment, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The article lists the full roll call vote of the House Ways and Means Committee on the Santorum amendment to deny SSI benefits to non-citizens. Democrats largely opposed the amendment while Republicans largely supported it, with one Democrat abstaining.
• Fund (Continued), by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL Washington representative Karen Narasaki discussed the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund appropriations process and noted a potential change in subcommittee chair to Rep. Alan Mollohan. JACL is urging constituents to write to subcommittee members in support of the fund.

Community

• Different Sides of Same-Sex Issue Given at NCWNP District Event, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The NCWNP District Council of JACL held an extensive discussion on same-sex marriage at its quarterly meeting in San Juan Bautista, with delegates expressing varied views on whether JACL should take a position. The council ultimately passed a motion reaffirming support for equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of sexual orientation, passing 12-1/2 to 3-1/2 with one abstention.
• Teacher Had Planned Variety of Ethnic Lesson Plans, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Reiko Obata had planned to use ‘Zoot Suit’ as an introduction to Sandra Cisneros’s novel, alongside other lessons on Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and Japanese American culture. Edward James Olmos and Alice McGrath of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee wrote in support of Obata’s right to show the film.
• Volunteer Award Available, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Applications are open for the Kay Okamoto Volunteer Award, honoring outstanding volunteerism serving the Japanese American community in the Bay Area, established in honor of longtime senior center volunteer coordinator Kay Okamoto. The winner receives $1,000, with the announcement to be made in July and applications due June 10.
• Personally, by P.C. Staff, page 5. This roundup column covers Japanese Americans in politics, business, and community life, including Dr. Jerry Kaneko’s Davis city council bid, Charles Kim’s Cerritos council race, and Carson City Clerk Helen Kawagoe’s recognition for 20 years of service. It also profiles honors for Cressey Nakagawa, John Y. Yoshino, and business achievements by various Japanese American entrepreneurs.

JACL

• National Board Agenda Set for May Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL National Board meeting agenda for May 21-22 includes reports on the 1994 and 1996 national conventions, membership, the Legacy Fund, and public affairs issues including the same-sex marriage resolution. Executive sessions and budget discussions were also scheduled.

Commentary

• The JA Legacy—Far and Wide, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Hosokawa reflects on the wartime dispersal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast and how many settled permanently in interior states after WWII. He highlights a fundraising campaign for a memorial to Jimmie Sakamoto, publisher of the Japanese American Courier, showing contributions came from 28 states and Japan, illustrating the wide geographic legacy of Japanese Americans.
• Baku-chi, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Marutani reminisces about gambling within the Issei community during his youth in Washington State and discusses the modern expansion of legalized gambling across the U.S. He questions whether expanded gambling truly benefits society, while acknowledging his own occasional participation in games of chance.
• Leadership Attendees Support JACL Washington D.C. Rep, by Carol Kawase, Leah Hamacht, Craig Minami, page 6. Attendees of the 1994 Leadership Conference wrote in support of Karen Narasaki’s work as JACL’s D.C. representative, praising her competence, dedication, and effective advocacy. They urged members to disregard criticisms questioning her ability and to acknowledge her accomplishments for the organization.
• ‘Same-Sex’ Issue Not Part of JACL Goals, Says Reader, by Joe R. Allman, page 6. A reader from the Arizona Chapter argues that JACL’s constitutional mission statement should limit the organization’s focus to issues directly affecting Japanese Americans rather than same-sex marriage. The letter questions why JACL is involved in the same-sex marriage debate at all.
• Beyond JA Issues, by Karen Narasaki, page 7. Narasaki reflects on a speech by Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick about the moral imperative of civil rights, drawing parallels to JACL’s mission to protect civil rights broadly, not just for Japanese Americans. She argues JACL must have the courage to take on unpopular civil rights causes, including gay and lesbian rights, citing historical examples like internment and redress.
• Response to Nobuyuki’s Claims on JACL Youth Program, by Kerry Kaneichi, page 7. Kaneichi, National Youth Council representative, rebuts a previous opinion piece by Karl Nobuyuki questioning the constitutionality of the JACL youth program and youth voting power. She defends the eligibility of youth/student members to hold office and argues that attacking the youth program undermines JACL’s future leadership pipeline.
• Baku-chi (Continued), by Bill Marutani, page 8. Marutani continues his exploration of the kanji character for gambling, noting the surprising etymological link between characters meaning ‘esteem’ and those meaning ‘strike’ that combine to form baku-chi. He humorously notes he still occasionally buys lottery tickets but avoids casino gambling.
• Youth Program Response Continued, by Kerry Kaneichi, page 8. Kaneichi further defends the National Youth Council’s voting structure, pointing out that other district councils have comparable voting power, making the youth council an unfair target for criticism. She calls for improving flaws in the organization rather than attacking the youth program that represents JACL’s future leadership.

Obituaries

• Ellen Kimi Haunani Nishimura, 36, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ellen Kimi Haunani Nishimura of Texas, daughter of Dwight Ken Nishimura and the late Mitsi Tokioka Nishimura, is survived by her father, sister and brother-in-law Anne Nishimura Morse and Prof. Samuel C. Morse, brother Dwight Ken Nishimura Jr., and grandparents Masayuki and Harue Tokioka of Honolulu. She is also survived by nieces and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
• Ben Yonemura, 79, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Ben Yonemura of San Jose, born in Sumner, WA, was a retired gardener who formerly farmed in Twin Falls, Idaho from 1943 to 1960 and was a member of the Mid-Peninsula Gardeners Association. He is survived by daughter Karen, son Gary, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was laid to rest at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

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