Vol. 129, No. 20, November 12, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
Veterans Day shaped the front page of this eight-page issue. P.C. Staff told the story of the ‘DB Boys,’ Nikkei soldiers who resisted unequal treatment in the U.S. Army during World War II and faced a court martial after refusing orders at Fort McClellan. The article follows George Sato and Tetsuo ‘Tim’ Nomiyama. Alongside it, the Associated Press reported on a shooting at a Xerox office in Honolulu that left seven people dead. A court was also set to rule on a lawsuit over the government’s investment of redress funds, with Judge Charles Legge presiding.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa’s column asked whether the word ‘tolerance’ falls short of true acceptance. Italian Americans recalled being treated as enemy aliens in World War II, and a Detroit election group was accused of challenging Asian American voters. Other pages cover the Prism Fund for minority broadcast ownership, a Nanking Massacre symposium at Pomona College, and a Korean War veterans group compiling names of Japanese Americans killed in Korea.
What’s in this issue
National
- ‘DB Boys,’ An Untold WWII Story, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article recounts the little-known story of Nikkei soldiers known as the ‘DB Boys’ who resisted discrimination in the U.S. Army during WWII, facing a court martial after refusing orders at Fort McClellan. It details the experiences of George Sato and Tetsuo ‘Tim’ Nomiyama, who challenged the Army over unequal treatment of Japanese American soldiers.
- Seven Killed in Hawaii Xerox Office Shooting, by Associated Press, page 1. A Xerox employee opened fire at a Honolulu office building, killing seven people during a five-hour standoff. Witnesses described the shooter, identified as Ronald Kawamae’s colleague, turning his gun on coworkers including Ford Kanehira and Jason Balatico.
- Court to Rule on Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Failure to Invest Redress Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A U.S. District Court judge, Charles Legge, was set to rule on a lawsuit concerning the government’s alleged failure to properly invest redress funds. The case centers on obligations owed to Japanese Americans under the redress program.
- Speaker Villaraigosa Appoints Trisha Murakawa to the Calif. State Bar Examining Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa appointed Trisha Murakawa to the State Bar Examining Committee. The appointment recognizes her qualifications and service within the legal community.
- Italian Americans Recall Days as WWII Enemy Aliens, by Associated Press, page 3. Italian Americans shared memories of being classified as enemy aliens during World War II, facing restrictions similar to those imposed on Japanese Americans. The article highlights personal recollections of surveillance, curfews, and discrimination experienced during that era.
- Broadcasting Industry Announces Minority Investment Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A coalition of broadcasting companies including CBS, Clear Channel, and Viacom announced the creation of the Prism Fund, a $175 million initiative to increase minority and female ownership of broadcast licenses. The fund, managed by Chase Capital Partners, aims to expand diversity in media ownership through equity investments and mentoring programs.
- Detroit Group Accused of Voter Discrimination, by Associated Press, page 8. A Detroit-based election monitoring group led by Bob Zelewski was accused of challenging Asian American and Middle Eastern-looking voters based on their ethnicity, prompting a state investigation into potential violations of Michigan election law. Officials noted the challengers questioned voters’ citizenship despite them being verified U.S. citizens, sparking outrage from the city’s Human Rights Commission.
Community
- Autobiography of Mrs. Rosa Parks is Republished in Japan by Popular Demand, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Rosa Parks’ autobiography was republished in Japan due to strong public demand, following interest generated at a Soka University of America lecture. The renewed publication reflects growing Japanese interest in the American civil rights movement.
- Korean War Vets to Install New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Korean War veterans organization announced plans to install new officers and is compiling a list of Japanese Americans killed in the defense of Korea. The group is working on preliminary plans to honor these veterans.
Commentary
- Teaching Tolerance, by Bill Hosokawa, page 6. Bill Hosokawa reflects on educational programs promoting tolerance, questioning whether the word ‘tolerance’ itself falls short of true acceptance and understanding. He cites Gandhi’s belief that peace begins with teaching children, while expressing unease about how such programs are framed.
Obituaries
- Massacre Symposium Participants at Pomona College Discuss Nanking, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Author Katsuichi Honda discussed his book on the Nanking Massacre at a Pomona College symposium, addressing controversy and backlash from Japan over his historical account. Assemblyman Mike Honda and other panelists joined the discussion about confronting difficult wartime history.
- Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Longtime Chicago Resident, Dies at 86, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Tsuyoshi Nakamura, born in Tacoma, Washington, died on Oct. 27 at age 86 in Chicago. He is survived by his wife Tomiye, son David, daughters Elaine, Arlene Kajiwara, and Caryl Hayashida, and two sisters.
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