Defeat of Prop. 54 and racial privacy, October 2003

Vol. 137, No. 8, October 17, 2003. 12 pages. View this issue

California voters defeated Proposition 54, the Racial Privacy Initiative, by a nearly 2-1 margin in the Oct. 7 recall election, and the news filled the front page. Monterey Park City Council member Mike Eng called it a great victory, citing medical research and community organizing. Caroline Aoyagi reported on Peter Suzuki, a Sansei lawyer running for city council in Summit, N.J., who received a racist hate letter and would not be deterred, and on the Ghettopoly board game, which drew protests. JACL National President Floyd Mori wrote about long-term planning and the 2004 national convention in Hawaii.

Inside are JACL’s support for a lawsuit challenging Section 215 of the Patriot Act, and the National Park Service decision not to restore the baseball diamond at Manzanar. Harry K. Honda looked back at Santa Anita as an assembly center. Densho’s new website and a Washington State grant for JACL’s Pacific Northwest district also appeared, along with a page of sports, including Lee Seung-yeop’s home run record.

What’s in this issue

National

• AAs Celebrate Defeat of Prop. 54, the Racial Privacy Initiative, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. California voters defeated Proposition 54, the Racial Privacy Initiative that would have banned government collection of racial data, by a nearly 2-1 margin in the October 7 recall election. AA community organizations and leaders celebrated the victory, citing concerns about medical research and civil rights protections that motivated the opposition campaign.
• Stephenson Apologizes for Comments in Magazine Article, by Associated Press, page 1. Golfer Jan Stephenson issued a written apology after criticizing Asian female LPGA players in a Golf Magazine article, saying they were ‘killing’ the tour by not engaging with media. She claimed her comments were not racially motivated but acknowledged they could be perceived as such.
• AA Creator of ‘Ghettopoly’ Board Game Stirs Anger, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Taiwanese American David Chang’s board game ‘Ghettopoly,’ which uses racist stereotypes and imagery, has sparked outrage among African American and Asian American communities and civil rights leaders. Urban Outfitters, which sells the game, faced protests, while Hasbro threatened legal action over intellectual property violations.
• Justice Dept. Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit Challenging a Section of the Patriot Act, by Associated Press, page 3. The Justice Department urged dismissal of a lawsuit, supported by JACL, challenging Section 215 of the Patriot Act, arguing it has never used the law’s expanded search and seizure powers. Civil rights and Muslim groups contend the provision violates constitutional rights by allowing secret record seizures from institutions like libraries and mosques.
• Groups Call for Examination of Voting Problems in Historic Recall Election, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A coalition of civil rights and community organizations called on California election officials to investigate widespread voting problems during the October 7 recall election. Reported issues included inaccessible polling places, insufficient ballots, and voter confusion caused by the rushed election timeline.
• Court Rejects Appeals Over WWII Prisoners of Japan, by Associated Press, page 3. The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from former American POWs and others claiming they were forced into slave labor for Japanese companies during World War II. The action upholds a 9th Circuit ruling that treaties signed by the U.S. barred such restitution claims.
• Bush Announces Intention to Nominate Ishimaru to EEOC, by P.C. Staff, page 3. President George Bush announced his intention to nominate Stuart Ishimaru to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he would be the only Asian American commissioner if confirmed. Ishimaru previously served in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
• Indian American to Face Female Lieut. Gov. in Runoff for Louisiana Governorship, by Associated Press, page 3. Bobby Jindal, a 32-year-old American of Indian descent, will face Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Blanco in a November runoff for Louisiana governor after leading the October primary. Jindal’s strong showing defied predictions that a non-white candidate could not succeed in the state’s politics.
• JACL Responds to Rush Limbaugh Comments, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL leaders John Tateishi and Floyd Mori criticized Rush Limbaugh’s comments suggesting Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated due to media desire to see a Black quarterback succeed. Tateishi called the remarks racist and questioned ESPN’s decision to hire Limbaugh as a football analyst.
• Army Charges Ex-Guantanamo Chaplain, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Army Capt. James Yee, a former Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, was charged with disobeying orders for improperly handling and transporting classified information. He is one of three former Guantanamo workers arrested in an espionage probe.
• Man Sentenced to Death for Killing Sikh Immigrant, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Frank Silva Roque was sentenced to death for the murder of Sikh gas station owner Balbir Singh Sodhi, killed days after the September 11 attacks because of his appearance. Prosecutors said Roque targeted Sodhi believing he was from the Middle East.
• Filipino Veterans Benefits Bill Approved by U.S. House, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. The U.S. House unanimously approved the Veterans Benefits Act to increase VA benefits for World War II Filipino veterans and their survivors to match rates paid to U.S. veterans. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said the legislation recognizes the sacrifices Filipino veterans made alongside American forces.
• JA Man Charged With Aggravated Murder in Double Homicide, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. John Q. Morimoto was charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of a Seattle nightclub owner and his wife, as well as attempted murder of their young daughter. Prosecutors have 30 days after arraignment to decide whether to seek the death penalty.
• World’s Oldest Man Dies in Japan at 114, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Yukichi Chuganji, documented as the world’s oldest man and a retired silkworm breeder, died at his home in Japan at age 114. He had been bedridden in recent years and passed from natural causes after finishing a glass of apple juice.
• English-class Demand Reflects Changes in N.H., by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Growing numbers of Hispanic and Asian immigrants moving into southern New Hampshire from Massachusetts have driven increased demand for English as a Second Language classes. Statewide ESL enrollment more than doubled over nine years as immigrants sought job opportunities and lower living costs.
• Minority Advisory Councils Want Their Offices to Have Authority, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Directors of Utah’s minority affairs offices testified that their advisory bodies need real authority rather than token status, citing lack of cooperation from state agencies. They also requested more staff to address the needs of growing minority populations.
• Inouye Released From Hospital, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Senator Daniel Inouye was discharged from Walter Reed Army Medical Center less than a week after surgery to partially replace his left shoulder. Inouye said he planned to resume light Senate duties immediately and did not expect to miss votes on Iraq and Afghanistan funding.
• Filipino Veterans Memorial Nearing Completion, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A memorial honoring Filipino WWII veterans is being built at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, Hawaii, and is set for completion by Veterans Day. The monument will include a granite plaque and pillars symbolizing the United States and the Philippines.
• Local College Student Helps Hawaiians Gain Access to Educational Program, by Associated Press, page 5. University of Northern Colorado student James Kawika Riley successfully lobbied the U.S. Education Department to classify Native Hawaiians separately from Asian Americans, opening eligibility for the McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program. Riley worked with Senators Akaka and Kennedy to change federal policy, becoming the first Native Hawaiian accepted under the new criteria.
• Fewer Dying From Cancer in Hawaii, by Associated Press, page 8. A new report shows cancer death rates in Hawaii have declined significantly for both men and women over the past two decades. Despite the improvement, cancer remains the second-leading cause of death in the state, with lung cancer rates highest among Hawaiian men and Japanese women.

Community

• JA City Council Candidate Won’t Be Deterred by Hate Mail, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Peter Suzuki, a Sansei lawyer running for city council in Summit, N.J., received a racist hate letter after his historic campaign announcement but has refused to let it deter him. Local JACL and Asian American groups have voiced strong support for Suzuki, condemning the letter’s author.
• APAs in the News: Awards, Appointments, Announcements, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Jack and Aiko Herzig will be honored by the Japanese American Veterans Association for their archival research that helped prove wartime internment was unjustified. Nobuko Miyamoto and Dado Banatao were also recognized for their contributions to arts and technology respectively.
• Speak Out: Community Meetings for API Queer Youth, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights is holding community meetings to gather input from API LGBTIQ youth on its Youth Program offerings. The organization runs ‘Ohana House, the nation’s first API LGBTIQ center, providing safe space and leadership training for young people.
• Award-winning Website Launched by Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Densho’s new website ‘In the Shadow of My Country’ won an Outstanding Website Award for its bilingual multimedia presentation of artist Roger Shimomura’s paintings and his grandmother’s internment camp diary. The site includes historical photos, oral histories, and a teacher resource guide for grades 5-12.
• Asian American Federation of New York Premiers ‘Tribute and Remembrance: Asian Americans After 9/11’, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Asian American Federation of New York premiered a documentary examining how the September 11 attacks impacted Asian American communities across economic, social, and mental health dimensions. The film, narrated by David Henry Hwang, also highlights philanthropic efforts within AA communities following the tragedy.

JACL

• Mori Memo: A Commitment to Our Future, by Floyd Mori, page 1. JACL National President Floyd Mori discusses the need for long-term planning and organizational evolution to meet future community needs. He highlights progress on the 2004 national convention in Hawaii celebrating JACL’s 75th anniversary and reflects on the success of a recent gala dinner.
• Mineta to be Honored at Fourth Annual Jefferson Lincoln Awards Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 6. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta will receive the Jefferson Lincoln Award alongside former Defense Secretary William Cohen at a gala event in Pebble Beach, California. The award recognizes public servants demonstrating bipartisan leadership and commitment to the nation’s interests.
• PNW District Receives Grant From Washington State, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The JACL Pacific Northwest district received a $23,235 grant from the Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program to fund workshops for students and teachers on Japanese American WWII incarceration. The workshops, planned for March 2004, will examine historical and contemporary civil rights issues.

Commentary

• Faith-based Initiatives, by Larry Schectman, page 2. A letter to the editor criticizes the Bush administration’s faith-based initiative regulations that would allow religious organizations receiving federal funds to discriminate in hiring based on religion. The author argues JACL should defend the First Amendment rights of religious minorities against this policy.
• Researcher Looking for Information on JAs in Chicago, by Iwao, page 2. A Ritsumeikan University professor writes seeking help gathering information on Japanese American culture and history in Chicago ahead of a planned research trip. He requests introductions to the Chicago JACL chapter and any relevant materials or contacts.
• Our Second Look at Santa Anita, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Harry Honda provides a detailed historical account of Santa Anita’s transformation from a racetrack to a WWII Japanese American assembly center and later an Army ordnance training camp. He also reflects on Senator Dan Inouye’s use of the Japanese phrase ‘o-kagesama de’ at a recent JACL gala, honoring the debt owed to earlier generations.
• Attack on Muslim Woman Investigated as Hate Crime, by Associated Press, page 9. A Muslim woman in Fairfax, Virginia was stabbed and called a terrorist outside a shopping mall in an attack police are investigating as a possible hate crime. The incident comes amid a reported rise in attacks against American Muslims according to the Council on American Islamic Relations.

In-Depth

• Internment Camp Baseball Memorial Strikes Out, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National Park Service decided against restoring the historic baseball diamond at Manzanar National Historic Site despite volunteer fundraising and celebrity support for the project. Officials said attractions outside the visitors center area would dilute the park’s overall effect, ending hopes for a planned inaugural game and ceremony.

Sports

• South Korea’s Lee Breaks 39-year-old Asian Home Run Record, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Lee Seung-yeop hit his 56th home run of the season to break Sadaharu Oh’s 39-year-old Asian single-season home run record. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Oh himself both congratulated Lee on the historic achievement.
• Agent Expects to Work Out Deal for Suzuki, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Ichiro Suzuki’s agent Tony Attanasio expressed confidence that a long-term contract could be negotiated with the Seattle Mariners without going to arbitration. Attanasio said Suzuki wants a fair deal that doesn’t hinder the team’s ability to build a competitive roster.
• Yao Ming Makes First Appearance at Rockets Training Camp, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming joined training camp after leading China’s national team in the Asian Games, impressing coach Jeff Van Gundy and assistant Patrick Ewing. Yao acknowledged feeling fatigued from a summer of intense competition but looked forward to developing his game under his new coaches.
• Carolina Signs Free-agent Jamie Storr, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. The Carolina Hurricanes signed free-agent goalie Jamie Storr to back up starter Kevin Weekes, sending goalie Kevin DesRochers to the minors. The move also effectively ended the tenure of former playoff hero Arturs Irbe with the team.
• It’s a Girl for Kristi Yamaguchi, Hockey Player Bret Hedican, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and her husband, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican, welcomed their first child, Keara Kiyomi Hedican, in early October. The couple met at the 1992 Albertville Olympics and married three years later.
• Nuggets Rookie Hoping to Become NBA’s First Japanese Player, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Denver Nuggets rookie Yuta Tabuse is fighting for a roster spot as he seeks to become the first Japanese-born player in the NBA. Coach Jeff Bzdelik praised Tabuse’s passing and ability to push the tempo despite his small stature at 5-foot-9.
• Kodama Wins Nevada State Amateur Golf Championship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Matt Kodama, a Yonsei golfer from Las Vegas attending the University of Hawaii, won the 2003 Nevada State Amateur Golf Championship after a three-hole sudden-death playoff. It was his first time competing in the tournament after moving to Las Vegas about a year and a half earlier.

Obituaries

• Bert Nakano, Advocate for Reparations to WWII Japanese Americans, by Associated Press, page 11. Bert Nakano, a Hawaii native who helped lead the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations, died at age 75 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was instrumental in the campaign that led to the 1988 redress bill providing apologies and payments to Japanese Americans interned during WWII.
• Charles Seabrook, Frozen Foods Pioneer Who Helped JAs During WWII, Dead at 94, by Associated Press, page 11. Charles Courtney Seabrook, who helped develop vegetable freezing technology with his family’s Seabrook Farms, died at age 94 in New Jersey. During WWII, Seabrook invited interned Japanese Americans to work at his farm, helping establish the JA community in New Jersey.

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