Vol. 129, No. 19, November 5, 1999. 8 pages. View this issue
Remembering the World War II incarceration (often called internment) ran through the front page of this eight-page issue. The Santa Fe city council voted to authorize a bronze plaque at the site of a camp that held Japanese-born community leaders, over the objections of some veterans. In a Martha Nakagawa interview, Sen. Daniel Inouye said it was time for the Nikkei community to come together and stop holding the choices of draft resisters against them. Gov. Davis’s appointment of Yamaki as Appointment Secretary also ran on page one.
Elsewhere, Brian Niiya’s column looked at Executive Order 9066 and the thin evidence behind it, using the Gordon Hirabayashi case. Page 5 announced a Feb. 19 dedication of a Los Angeles memorial listing more than 800 Japanese American soldiers killed in action. Page 7 reviewed the documentary ‘When You’re Smiling’ on Sansei identity, and page 4 reported that the Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation won first place at a national conference.
What’s in this issue
National
- Gov. Davis Appoints Yamaki to Appointment Secretary, page 1. Governor Davis appointed Yamaki as Appointment Secretary, reflecting California’s diversity. Yamaki previously served as president of the LA Fire Commission and as national legal counsel for JACL, and holds degrees from UCLA and West Los Angeles School of Law.
- Santa Fe City Council Approves JA Internment Camp Marker, by By Associated Press, page 1. The Santa Fe city council voted 4-to-something to authorize a bronze plaque marking the site of a WWII Japanese American internment camp, despite opposition from some Bataan Death March veterans who felt it dishonored their suffering. The camp held up to 2,100 Japanese-born community leaders at its peak between 1942-46, and the marker will be funded by private donations and placed in a city park overlooking the former camp site.
- Memorial to Japanese American Soldiers Set to be Dedicated Feb. 19, page 5. The City of Los Angeles is planning a dedication ceremony for a monument honoring Japanese American WWII soldiers, expected to be completed by the end of January. Unlike the 100th/442nd/MIS Memorial Foundation monument honoring all Nikkei soldiers, this new memorial is dedicated solely to JA soldiers killed in action, listing more than 800 names, with related events including a gala banquet, photo exhibit, theater performance, and golf tournament.
- Dr. Chin Establishes First Endowment for Asian American Women’s Studies, page 6. Dr. Chin established the first endowment dedicated to Asian American Women’s Studies, inspired in part by her grandmother’s strength and determination despite lacking formal education. The endowment aims to support scholarship and research focused on Asian American women’s experiences.
Commentary
- Resisters’ Battle Just as Important, Time to Come Together, Says Sen. Inouye, by By Martha Nakagawa, Assistant Editor, page 1. In an interview, Sen. Daniel Inouye discusses the lasting divisions within the Nikkei community between those who volunteered for military service during WWII and those who resisted the draft while incarcerated in U.S. concentration camps. Inouye argues it is time for the community to come together and stop holding resisters’ choices against them, comparing the situation to how volunteers were never blamed for others’ decisions not to serve.
- FDR’s EO 9066 Stunk Like ‘a Dead Cat’, by By Brian Niiya, page 6. The column examines the legal case of Gordon Hirabayashi and the government’s justification for Executive Order 9066, referencing conflicting statements from wartime officials including Secretary of the Navy Knox and Attorney General Biddle. The piece critiques the flimsy evidence used to justify the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Community
- Japanese American Inducted into Ilwaco High School’s Wall of Fame, page 4. Richard K. Murakami, class of 1932, was inducted into Ilwaco High School’s Wall of Fame at an event attended by more than 400 people. Despite losing his family’s oyster business and farm during WWII incarceration at Tule Lake, Murakami rebuilt his career with help from local veterans and became a prominent community leader in numerous organizations.
- Placer County JACL Dedicates Del Oro Tribute Garden, page 4. The Placer County JACL recently dedicated the Del Oro Tribute Garden and a plaque commemorating the history of the school and community. A speaker described the dedication as a high point in their career while discussing the significance of the tribute.
- JACCC Accepting Applications for Fresh Track Series, page 4. The JACCC is now accepting applications for its Fresh Track series featuring an evening of spoken word, art, and monologues. The event highlights emerging local talent in the performing arts.
- Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation Wins First Place, page 4. Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation won first place at a national conference in Virginia on Oct. 13 titled ‘Building America One Community at a Time.’ The award recognized LTSC CDC’s effective property and asset management program, particularly for maintaining exceptionally low vacancy rates at its buildings.
- Southland’s Playwrights Gather with Tim Dang at Greater L.A. Singles JACL Program, page 5. Playwrights Jon Shirota, Edward Sakamoto, and others gathered with Tim Dang, producing artistic director of East West Players, at a Greater L.A. Singles JACL program. The event highlighted Southland playwrights and their contributions to Asian American theater.
- All-Vets Reunion to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Korean War, page 5. An All-Vets Reunion is planned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, including events at the Hyatt Hotel, tours of the Japanese American National Museum, and gatherings at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. Registration forms have been mailed to participants, with contacts provided for those who have not received them.
Arts & Entertainment
- Amerasia Journal Focuses on ‘New’ Second Generation and Asian American Identity, page 5. UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center published an issue of Amerasia Journal exploring identity and generational issues among the ‘new’ second generation of Asian Americans, including Chinese and Korean Americans. Featured articles examine topics such as college experiences, race and identity negotiation, and mass media representations of Asian Americans.
- ‘When You’re Smiling’ Documentary Explores Sansei Identity and Camp Legacy, page 7. A review of the Visual Communications documentary ‘When You’re Smiling’ examines how Sansei (third-generation Japanese Americans) grappled with identity following their parents’ WWII incarceration, touching on gang involvement, drug abuse, the Vietnam War, and the model minority myth. The film, premiering Nov. 13 at the Union Center for the Arts in Little Tokyo, presents multiple Sansei perspectives but is noted to require multiple viewings due to the density of information covered, including stories of youth suicide, self-help groups like Yellow Brotherhood, and struggles with ethnic identity.
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