Vol. 129, No. 13, September 24, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
Couples waiting to adopt children from China’s Guandong province led the news in this 8-page issue. Tracy Uba’s story followed Mark and Grace Tanaka of Chicago and Roger and Celia Tower, part of a growing number of Asian Americans choosing international adoption. A Q & A by Steven Tanamachi with California State Assembly candidate Hayashino also ran on the front page, touching on redress and public service. Inside, George Takei received an award from the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, and groups organized a boycott of four networks over the lack of diversity in new fall television shows.
The commentary pages carried a back-and-forth over JACL’s wartime record, with Barry Saiki answering Frank Chin’s criticism and other writers weighing in. Christina Shigemura wrote about a dream of courtroom injustice. News briefs covered a House amendment on political contributions by legal residents and hate crime guides. Page 8 reported on the Pacific Southwest District dinner honoring Norman Mineta and the new Mineta Fellowship Congressional Fellows.
What’s in this issue
National
- Adopting Through China, by Tracy Uba, page 1. The article profiles Mark and Grace Tanaka of Chicago and Roger and Celia Tower, two couples awaiting adoption of children from China’s Guandong province, part of a growing trend of Asian Americans pursuing international adoption. It details the couples’ struggles with infertility and the rising statistics of Chinese adoptions into the U.S. since 1997.
- Takei Receives NAPALC Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Actor George Takei received the 1999 American Courage Award from the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium for his leadership in advocating for better representation of Asian Pacific Americans on television. Takei and NAPALC executive director Karen Narasaki spoke about the impact of media portrayals on public perception and cited survey data showing the importance of diverse media representation to children.
- Fight for TV Diversity Rages on With Boycott, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Asian Pacific American organizations including MANAA, East West Players, and NAPALC organized a boycott of ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC from Sept. 12-26 to protest the lack of diversity in new fall television programming. Speakers including George Takei, Guy Aoki, Tim Dang, and Sumi Haru criticized the networks for failing to include leading nonwhite characters in any of 26 new shows.
- Report Questions Role of Spying in Chinese Nuclear Development, by Associated Press, page 3. A congressional report on Chinese espionage may have overstated the role of stolen U.S. secrets in China’s development of small nuclear weapons, according to the New York Times. The investigation had focused heavily on Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist Wen Ho Lee, who has denied spying and has not been charged with any crime.
- House Passes Amendment Banning Legal Residents from Political Contributions, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The House of Representatives approved an amendment sponsored by Reps. Bereuter and Wicker that would ban legal permanent residents from making political contributions, drawing criticism from civil rights advocates including NAPALC attorney Deepa Iyer. Organizations such as the Organization of Chinese Americans and the India Abroad Center for Political Awareness opposed the measure, hoping the Senate would not adopt a similar prohibition in its campaign finance reform bill.
- Guides to Combat Hate Crimes Being Sent to Policymakers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. In response to hate-motivated violence, the Southern Poverty Law Center is distributing guides to help local communities combat hate crimes, citing the case of East Peoria, Ill., mayor Charles Dobbelaire’s response to a shooting spree connected to the World Church of the Creator. Dobbelaire used the center’s booklet to denounce the group’s founder and establish a human relations commission and diversity training for city workers.
- PSWD Dinner Honors Mineta and Others, page 8. The Pacific Southwest District dinner honored Norman Mineta and others for their contributions to Japanese American civil rights, including Mineta’s role in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Speakers recounted the historic redress fight and the sacrifices of Japanese Americans who served in the Armed Forces during World War II despite the injustice of internment.
Community
- Q & A With Calif. State Assembly Candidate Hayashino, by Steven Tanamachi, page 1. This interview features a candidate for California State Assembly discussing their motivations for running, rooted in community involvement since high school. The candidate reflects on their father’s influence, particularly around perseverance despite discrimination and lack of educational opportunity, and how that shaped their values around redress and public service.
- Inouye and Namura Named Latest Mineta Fellowship Congressional Fellows, page 8. Two students were named as the latest recipients of the Mineta Fellowship, which places young Japanese Americans in congressional offices in Washington, D.C., including the office of Sen. Daniel Inouye. The fellows will serve for several months with a stipend, gaining firsthand experience in government and continuing community involvement with JACL and related organizations.
Commentary
- A Strange Dream of Justice, by Christina Shigemura, page 6. The author recounts a surreal dream involving a courtroom scene where a young Asian boy is unjustly convicted under harsh sentencing laws akin to three-strikes policies. The dream serves as a commentary on cruel and unusual punishment and the treatment of children in the justice system.
- Chin’s Anti-JACL Stance, by Barry Saiki, page 6. Barry Saiki responds to criticism of JACL, recounting his own experiences as a student during the outbreak of WWII and defending the organization’s historical actions. He challenges characterizations of JACL’s wartime record and offers his personal perspective as someone who lived through the era.
- Nice Guy Saiki Needs to Lighten Up, page 6. This piece is a response to Barry Saiki’s commentary, arguing that his tone is overly serious and defensive regarding JACL’s history. The author suggests a more relaxed approach to discussing these historical controversies.
- This Controversy Should Be Laid to Rest, page 7. The author reflects on the ongoing debate about JACL’s wartime decisions, arguing that everyone must live with the consequences of decisions made in difficult times. The piece calls for closure on the long-running controversy while acknowledging the pain caused by wartime exclusion and prejudice.
- Response to Chin’s Views in Pacific Citizen, page 7. A reader expresses shock and disappointment after reading the Sept. 17-23 issue of the Pacific Citizen, criticizing Frank Chin’s views as published. The letter writer encourages Chin to use his talents differently and clarifies that Chin’s opinions do not reflect JACL’s official position.
- Thank You Herb Yamanishi, page 7. A reader expresses deep appreciation for Herb Yamanishi’s service and support of JACL as national executive director. The letter credits Yamanishi with instilling important values and programs during his tenure.
Obituaries
- Masaaki Hironaka, WWII Veteran, Dies at 81, page 7. Masaaki ‘Jack’ Hironaka, 81, died of complications from illness; he was a World War II veteran. The obituary notes his service and community involvement.
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