Redress for railroad and mine workers, and Day of Remembrance reports

Vol. 126, No. 5, March 6, 1998. 12 pages. View this issue

Redress was the main subject of this 12-page issue. The Office of Redress Administration and the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department found that railroad and mine workers dismissed because of their Japanese ancestry during World War II were eligible for redress and an apology under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Bill Lann Lee announced it at a press conference in Little Tokyo. Caroline Aoyagi reported from the Los Angeles Day of Remembrance, held on the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, where the Office of Redress Administration’s Aug. 10, 1998 closing date was stressed. Denver also marked the day with interdenominational services.

Inside are details for the Tule Lake pilgrimage, July 2-5, and the “Return to Amache” event. Harry K. Honda surveyed monuments to Japanese American soldiers and the incarceration, including those at Manzanar and Gila River. Grayce Uyehara previewed the 1998 JACL national convention in Philadelphia. Columns by Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani and Akemi Kayleng fill page 8, and Caroline Aoyagi profiled artist Cynthia Fujikawa’s one-woman play.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Railroad and Mine Workers to Get Redress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Office of Redress Administration and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice determined that railroad and mine workers dismissed because of their Japanese ancestry during WWII are now eligible for redress and an apology under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Bill Lann Lee announced the decision at a Little Tokyo press conference, noting new documents proving government involvement in the firings.
• DOR – A Time to Remember the Remaining Redress Cases, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. At the Los Angeles Day of Remembrance event commemorating the 56th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, speakers emphasized that redress remains unfinished, with the Office of Redress Administration closing on Aug. 10, 1998. Author Michi Weglyn was honored with the “Fighting Spirit” Award, and the event highlighted ongoing efforts for railroad/mine workers and Japanese Latin Americans still seeking redress.
• “Diamonds in the Rough” Heads to Baseball Hall of Fame, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An exhibit on Nisei baseball history is heading to a permanent home, with organizers hoping the Nisei Baseball League exhibit will also gain permanent status. Plans are underway for related programming.
• “Return to Amache” Changes Headquarters, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The headquarters hotel for the “Return to Amache” event in Colorado Springs has been changed to the larger Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel due to overwhelming registration response. Registrants with existing reservations at the Radisson Inn must cancel and rebook at the new venue.
• Tule Lake ’98 Pilgrimage Registration Package Set, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A Tule Lake Pilgrimage is scheduled for July 2-5, with buses leaving from San Francisco Bay Area points for a trip to Klamath Falls, including camp tours and cultural programs. Registration deadline is April 1, with space limited to the first 300 participants.
• DOR – A Time to Remember… the Remaining Redress Cases (continued), by Caroline Aoyagi, page 10. Following the Day of Remembrance tribute to Michi Weglyn, workshops updated the community on the Mochizuki vs. United States lawsuit seeking redress for Japanese Latin Americans, with federal lawyers requesting a postponement of a court decision to consider settlement. Advocates noted a shift in government attitude but stressed there is still much unfinished business before the redress program’s August 1998 deadline.

Arts & Entertainment

• Sansei Artist Rediscovers Father in Play, “Old Man River”, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Artist Cynthia Fujikawa discovered as a teenager that her late father, Nisei actor Jerry Fujikawa, had a hidden first family and had been interned at Manzanar during WWII. She spent years researching his life, eventually writing and starring in the one-woman play “Old Man River,” now playing at Los Angeles’ Theater West.

JACL

• Striving For a More Perfect Union, by Grayce Uyehara, page 1. The 1998 National JACL Convention, hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter, will be the last convention of the 20th century and carries the theme “Striving For a More Perfect Union.” The article discusses the significance of holding the convention in Philadelphia, birthplace of the Constitution, as JACL considers its future direction.
• 1997 Year-End Membership Numbers Up, by Karen-Liane Shiba, page 3. National JACL VP of Membership Karen-Liane Shiba reports that 1997 year-end membership numbers increased from 1996, with several chapters showing significant growth rates. She highlights specific chapters with notable increases and discusses factors that can distort membership numbers across districts.
• P.C. and National JACL Boards Pow-Wow Together, by Harry Honda, page 4. Editor Emeritus Harry Honda continues his report on a joint meeting between the Pacific Citizen board and the National JACL Board, covering topics including a $18,000 equipment wish list, a proposed summer internship program, and a readership survey questionnaire. The piece also discusses the P.C. Editorial Board chair’s goals and the ongoing search for an editor/general manager for the newspaper.
• 1998 AAJA Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Asian American Journalists Association announces its 1998 national scholarship and internship programs for promising students entering journalism. AAJA has awarded over $320,000 to more than 290 students since 1981.
• Philadelphia Welcomes You to the 1998 JACL National Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Detailed schedule and registration information for the 1998 JACL National Convention in Philadelphia, running June 30-July 5, including events like the golf tournament, awards luncheon, oratorical competition, and sayonara banquet. The piece includes hotel, airfare, and transportation information for attendees.
• JACL Women’s Concerns Committee: A Legacy of Activism, by Emily Murase, page 8. The JACL Women’s Concerns Committee, formed in 1983, has worked on issues from challenging Nikkei beauty contests to supporting women facing sexual harassment and organizing conferences honoring outstanding Nikkei women. The committee continues its work today, including hosting events on Japanese family dynamics and participating in international women’s conferences.

National

• Nakano Makes Bid for State Assembly, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Torrance City Councilman George Nakano is running for the 53rd State Assembly District seat, seeking to become the first Asian American Democrat from Southern California elected to the Assembly in nearly 25 years. Nakano, a longtime city council member and JACL Torrance Chapter founder, discusses his political career and the importance of Asian American representation in office.

Community

• Denver Marks Day of Remembrance with Interdenominational Services, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Approximately 200 people attended a National Day of Remembrance observance at the Denver Buddhist Temple on Feb. 22, featuring Buddhist and Christian memorial services and a presentation by Living Voices depicting the aftermath of Executive Order 9066. The event was coordinated by Carolyn Takeshita and Tom Masamori with support from Denver-area Japanese American organizations.
• South Bay APA Voter Education Summit, March 14, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Pacific Southwest District is cosponsoring a nonpartisan Asian Pacific American Voter Education Summit on March 14 at the Torrance Airport Center. The free event aims to provide nonpartisan educational information to the community.
• 11th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Scholarship Program Underway, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Eleventh Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Scholarship Program is offering two $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors of Japanese American descent. Applications are due postmarked no later than March 28, 1998.
• Tri-Cities Reunion Set for April 11, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Tri-Cities Reunion for former residents of Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Rexburg has been rescheduled from March 28 to April 11 at Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot, Nevada. Details on registration, room reservations, and banquet payments are provided.
• Teacher Seminar Hosted by Arizona Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 9. The Arizona Chapter of JACL hosted a seminar for 26 teachers on Feb. 7 utilizing the National JACL curriculum guide on the Japanese American internment experience. Guest speakers included former internees and an MIS veteran who shared personal histories with educators developing lesson plans.

Commentary

• A Push for Grassroots Effort, by Grace Kimoto, page 3. Central California District Governor Grace Kimoto writes about the importance of grassroots effort within JACL chapters. She discusses membership requirements and encourages chapters to work harder at engaging members and growing the organization.
• An Admirable Bird, by Bill Hosokawa, page 8. In his “From the Frying Pan” column, Bill Hosokawa uses an extended metaphor about a bird whose eyes migrate to focus backward rather than forward to describe the Nisei generation’s tendency to dwell on the past. He reflects on the intelligence, industriousness, and caretaking nature of this fictional bird before revealing the punchline that it represents the Nisei.
• “Day-jah-voo”, by Bill Marutani, page 8. In his “East Wind” column, Bill Marutani draws parallels between the historical scapegoating of ethnic Chinese in Indonesia during economic crises and similar experiences faced by Japanese Americans during WWII. He reflects on patterns of prejudice that recur across different times and places.
• The Dollhousers, by Akemi Kayleng, page 8. In her “Voice of a Sansei” column, Akemi Kayleng challenges common perceptions of civil rights and argues that Japanese American cultural values of gaman and gambare helped the community overcome adversity better than some White executives who faced job loss. She reflects critically on relationships with White men who underestimated her intelligence and character.
• Criticism by New York Chapter Advisory Board, page 9. A letter writer expresses astonishment at the New York Chapter Advisory Board’s objection to his favorable mention of Dr. Harry Abe in a previous column about the chapter’s videotaped interviews. The writer asks for clarification on how the passage caused any disservice to Dr. Abe.
• Reader Disagrees with Oda’s Japanese-Jewish Connection, page 9. A letter writer disputes James Oda’s claims about a Lost Tribe of Israel connection to Japan’s origins, citing conversations with Hebrew University professor Ben-Ami Shillony who confirmed the claims lack basis. The writer argues Oda’s evidence fails to establish causal relationships, only superficial similarities.

Military & Veterans

• VFW Essay Contest on Military Intelligence Service, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Golden Gate Nisei Memorial Post #9879 and its Auxiliary are sponsoring a 1998 essay contest themed on the Military Intelligence Service, open to Japanese American junior high and high school students in the Greater Bay Area. Essays are due April 10, 1998, and winners will be honored at an installation of officers dinner.
• Ft. Sam Houston AJA Reunion Set for April 20-22, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Ft. Sam Houston AJA’s reunion, for Nikkei GIs shipped to Texas during WWII, will be held April 20-22 at the Fitzgerald Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. The group, led originally by the late Col. Ken Uchida, has held previous reunions and vows to continue despite dwindling numbers.

In-Depth

• WWII Monuments, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Harry Honda surveys the history of monuments built to honor Japanese American WWII soldiers and internees, from camp-era memorials at Rohwer and Manzanar to modern monuments at Gila River, Poston, Camp Shelby, and the planned Go For Broke monument in Little Tokyo. He also discusses the Washington D.C.-based National Japanese American Memorial Foundation’s ongoing fundraising efforts.

Obituaries

• Seo Passed Away, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Seo, 79, passed away Jan. 17, survived by his wife Tomiyo, daughter Peggy Seo Oba, son-in-law Kenji Oba, and granddaughter Mari, all of Kansas City, along with sisters Mary Louise Yoshino and Aileen S. Yoshino.
• Yokoyama Obituary, by P.C. Staff, page 11. A Sacramento native passed away Dec. 29, 1997, survived by husband of 56 years Harry Masaru Yokoyama and daughters including Dr. Victoria Yoshiko Yokoyama of Clovis, Calif. She was predeceased by her brother Kenneth and maintained close ties to her native Sacramento community.

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