Vol. 129, No. 16, October 15, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
The last part of a four-part series on Asian American families and adoption led the issue. In it, Martha Nakagawa followed Maria, who came to the U.S. at age 7 and faced a language barrier and racial teasing, and Jean, who felt a hole in her life and searched for her birth mother. Beside it, a front-page story reported on more than 400 people gathering at UCLA on Oct. 3 for the donation of the Korematsu coram nobis litigation collection. Fred Korematsu, Frank Tateishi and Dale Minami spoke about the old friction between JACL leaders and the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee resisters.
Inside are a coram nobis case timeline, a piece in which Takashi Hoshizaki defends the resisters’ stand, and a page 3 story on Chinese American veterans seeking recognition. Commentary came from Naomi Hirahara and Harry Honda, and a letter remembered Michi Weglyn.
What’s in this issue
National
- Growing Up Adopted: Asian Americans Offer Personal Perspectives, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. This final installment in a four-part series on Asian American families and adoption follows Maria, who moved to the U.S. at age 7 and struggled with a severe language barrier and racial teasing in a predominantly white community. The article also explores Jean’s experience feeling ‘a hole’ in her life due to not knowing her birth history, which drove her to search for her birth mother.
- Korematsu, Resisters Cases: Similar Battles, Different Reactions, page 1. Over 400 people gathered at UCLA on Oct. 3 to mark the donation of the Korematsu vs. U.S. coram nobis litigation collection to UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center, drawing attention to the historic friction between JACL leadership and the Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee resisters. Fred Korematsu, Frank Tateishi, and Dale Minami reflected on how JACL opposed the resisters’ draft resistance stance during World War II while Korematsu fought his case on constitutional grounds, and the lingering animosity within the Nikkei community over who deserves recognition for their wartime resistance.
- Chinese American Veterans Seek Recognition for Wartime Service, page 3. Chinese Americans, despite serving in all U.S. wars for over 200 years, are still often presumed to be foreigners, according to advocates highlighting new exhibits and memorabilia collections documenting Chinese American veteran service. The push includes recognition of contributions during World War II through military service, defense work, and service organizations.
- Resisters Defend Their Wartime Stand Against Animosity, page 4. Heart Mountain Fair Play Committee member Takashi Hoshizaki expressed frustration at continuing animosity toward the wartime draft resisters, arguing that resisting the draft was based on the belief that Japanese Americans had the same constitutional rights as other citizens. He explained that most HMFPC members came from humble, rural backgrounds without resources to fight internment until the draft gave them a legal opportunity to challenge the government.
- Coram Nobis Case Timeline, page 5. The article details the history of the Korematsu, Yasui, and Hirabayashi coram nobis cases, beginning with law historian Peter Irons’ discovery of suppressed government documents proving officials altered and destroyed evidence during the original WWII-era trials. It chronicles the legal team’s strategy, the government’s offers of a pardon which were rejected in favor of vindication, and Judge Marilyn Hall Patel’s 1983 decision vacating Korematsu’s conviction to a courtroom of over 300 people.
- Adoption Series Continues: Jean’s Search for Her Birth Mother, by Martha Nakagawa, page 8. Continuing from page 1, the article details Jean’s discovery of her birth mother’s maiden name on adoption petition papers and her emotional journey confronting questions about her ethnic identity throughout her youth. She often felt caught between cultures and grappled with explaining her background to others in her predominantly white community.
Commentary
- Six Degrees of Separation, by Naomi Hirahara, page 6. A commentary reflecting on interconnected relationships within the Japanese American community and how personal and communal histories intertwine. The piece explores themes of connection across generations and experiences.
- Redress History Project Launched With Different End Products in Sight, page 6. A new project has been launched to document the history of the Japanese American redress movement, aiming to produce varied educational materials from the research. Organizers hope the effort will preserve firsthand accounts and analysis of the decades-long campaign for redress and reparations.
- The Power of Haji, by Harry Honda, page 6. Harry Honda’s column examines the concept of ‘haji’ (shame) and its powerful influence on Japanese American cultural behavior and community responses to historical injustice. He connects this cultural value to the ways Nisei generations processed wartime experiences.
- Chin Needs to Stop Whining, page 7. A letter to the editor criticizes ongoing anti-Chinese American commentary within JACL discourse, calling it bizarre and inappropriate for someone in a position of responsibility. The writer urges community members to focus on the present and future rather than continuing to relitigate past grievances between generations.
- In Memory of Michi Weglyn, page 7. A tribute letter honors the memory of Michi Weglyn, recognizing her tireless work and dedication to uncovering and documenting the history of Japanese American incarceration. The writer expresses gratitude for her contributions to preserving this history for future generations.
Obituaries
- Fukudome, Satoru, page 7. Satoru Fukudome, 67, of Walnut, Calif., born in Kagoshima-ken, passed away Sept. 30, survived by his wife Hatsue, son Andy, daughter Satomi, and other family members. He is also survived by siblings and extended family in Japan and the U.S.
- Kudow, Alice, page 7. Alice Kudow, 74, of Rosemead, born in San Jose, died Oct. 4, survived by her sister Joanne Nakamura and sister-in-law Asako. Her family continues to reside in the Southern California area.
- Masaki, Percy Takeshi, page 7. Percy Takeshi Masaki, 89, of Sacramento, died Sept. 23; he was a longtime member of the Sacramento JACL chapter. He is survived by children including Suo, Harry, and Colleen Matsumoto, along with seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
- Yoshiko [surname unclear], page 7. Yoshiko, 81, of Los Angeles, died recently and is survived by sons Roy S. and Warren Y., two grandchildren, and brother John Ichimura. Details of her life and family are noted in the tribute listing.
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