Resisters ceremony delayed and the 60th Day of Remembrance

Vol. 134, No. 2, February 1, 2002. 12 pages. View this issue

JACL’s plan for a public ceremony honoring the World War II Nisei resisters of conscience was postponed indefinitely, with May as a possible new date. Martha Nakagawa reported that funding, a keynote speaker and a venue were all unsettled. Also on the front page were a teacher training program from Go For Broke, Judge Sandra Otaka’s reelection bid in Illinois and Stan Matsunaka’s lead in the Colorado governor’s race. John Tateishi used his column to ask readers to help replace the paper’s aging equipment.

Page 4 lists Day of Remembrance programs planned across the country for the 60th anniversary of Executive Order 9066. Manzanar sought original artifacts for its interpretive center, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced a project on the Jerome and Rohwer camps. Sports pages follow the 2002 Winter Olympics, and a book review roundup closes the issue.

What’s in this issue

National

• JACL Postpones Resisters Ceremony; May Is Possible New Date for Event, by Martha Nakagawa, page 1. JACL has indefinitely postponed a public ceremony recognizing WWII Nisei resisters of conscience, originally mandated by a 2000 convention resolution, due to funding, speaker and venue difficulties. The ad-hoc committee is considering a May date and is launching a grassroots fundraising campaign while seeking a keynote speaker such as Sen. Daniel Inouye.
• Go For Broke Launches Teacher Training Program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich presented a commendation to Go For Broke Educational Foundation Executive Director Christine Sato-Yamazaki. The organization kicked off its ‘An American Story’ teacher training and curriculum program for 2002-2004 to teach the story of Japanese American WWII soldiers.
• Illinois Judge Otaka Seeks Court Post in March Election, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Judge Sandra R. Otaka, the first Asian American full Circuit Court judge in Cook County, announced she will run in March to retain her seat on the 9th Judicial Subcircuit. She discussed the need for a diverse judiciary that reflects the communities it serves.
• Colorado Nikkei Leads Democratic Candidates in Governor Race, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An independent poll found Colorado state Senate President Stan Matsunaka leading Democratic contenders for governor by a wide margin. If elected, Matsunaka would become Colorado’s first Japanese American governor.
• Chao Announces Funds Will Go to New York’s Chinatown, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao announced a $200,000 grant to the Chinatown Manpower Project as part of a $25 million National Emergency Grant to help New York City workers displaced after Sept. 11. The funding aims to retrain unemployed workers and revive Chinatown’s economy.
• University Prepares for JA Internment Camp Project, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced a project documenting the Jerome and Rohwer internment camps, including museum exhibits, publications, and a documentary film to open in 2004. The Rockefeller Foundation donated funds for planning, and local resident Richard Yada, born in an Arkansas camp, shared his family’s history.
• More AAs Serving on Bay Area City Boards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Asian American representation on city boards in Fremont and Cupertino is increasingly reflecting the cities’ demographics. Fremont City Council member Steve Cho attributes the rise to greater AA willingness to get involved in civic life.
• Nakano Introduces Water Security Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. California Assemblyman George Nakano introduced AB 1778 to mandate background checks on prospective employees at water treatment plants amid terrorism concerns. The bill establishes statewide criteria for screening potential security threats.
• Ikeda Enters Race for Lieutenant Governor, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Donna Ikeda announced her candidacy for Hawaii lieutenant governor, saying improving public schools would be her primary focus. Several other Democrats and Republicans have also expressed interest in the seat being vacated by Mazie Hirono.

Commentary

• The Korematsu and Hirabayashi Legal Team Warns Against Misuse of WWII Cases, page 2. The commentary argues that Bush/Ashcroft anti-terrorist initiatives improperly rely on the discredited WWII Supreme Court decisions in the Korematsu and Hirabayashi internment cases. It cites Judge Patel’s warning that courts must remain vigilant against wartime hysteria and prejudice being used to justify governmental overreach.
• A P.C. Wish List, by John Tateishi, National Director, page 2. National Director John Tateishi describes the Pacific Citizen’s outdated equipment and appeals to readers for donations to fund a wish list of new computers, software and other necessities costing around $15,000. He notes the PC staff is down to three full-timers and three part-timers who need better tools to produce the paper.
• Focused, Not Fuzzy, by Larry Oda, page 2. A letter writer criticizes JACL’s decision to change its vision statement from protecting the civil rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry to protecting the civil rights of ‘all,’ arguing this dilutes the organization’s identity and resources. The writer argues no other national organization exists to specifically protect JA civil rights.
• A Garden Worth Visiting, page 2. A reader responds to a previous article on Japanese gardens by recommending an additional garden in Ft. Worth, Texas that was not mentioned. The writer suggests it as a worthwhile stop for travelers to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
• The White Zone Is for Passenger Loading and Unloading Only, by Joyce Nako, page 6. Joyce Nako reflects on her fear following Sept. 11 and her journey toward understanding and empathy for Muslim and Arab Americans facing post-9/11 backlash. She describes attending a multicultural church service and reading works by Viktor Frankl and others to process the tragedy and find meaning.
• The Newsletter Editor, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Bill Marutani reflects on the labor-intensive work behind producing chapter newsletters, praising the JAVA newsletter and the Philadelphia JACL chapter newsletter edited by Eiko Ikeda. He details the many unseen tasks of editing, layout, proofreading and distribution that go into each issue.
• The Weirdest Thing/Stranger Than Fiction, by Christina Shigemura, page 8. Christina Shigemura writes humorously about odd credit card offers and uninformative evening news before pivoting to discuss the upcoming Day of Remembrance program addressing parallels between WWII internment and post-9/11 treatment of Arab and Muslim Americans. She previews panelists and notes she will co-emcee this year’s DOR event.
• Our Useful History, by Ryan Chin, V.P. Public Affairs, page 8. Ryan Chin discusses JACL’s continued advocacy work post-9/11, emphasizing the organization’s efforts to prevent history from repeating itself for Arab and Muslim Americans. He shares several letters of gratitude JACL received for its stance against Rep. Saxby Chambliss and in support of Muslim civil rights.

Arts & Entertainment

• Wen Ho Lee Launches National Book Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Wen Ho Lee appeared at UCLA as part of his national book tour, drawing more than 300 attendees including Helen Zia. The tour concludes in New York City on Feb. 13.
• Documentary on Vietnamese American Adoptee Wins Grand Jury Prize at 2002 Sundance Film Festival, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The 2002 Sundance Film Festival featured roughly 18 Asian American and Asian Canadian films, including Justin Lin’s ‘Better Luck Tomorrow’ and the award-winning documentary ‘Daughter from Danang’ about a Vietnamese American adoptee. Numerous other shorts and features by Asian American filmmakers were showcased.
• Film About Latino Who Went to Camp on Hold Until May, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Filming of ‘Stand Up for Justice,’ a docudrama about Ralph Lazo, a Latino high school student who voluntarily joined his Nisei friends at Manzanar, has been delayed until May due to casting difficulties. The film is partially funded by federal and state civil liberties education grants.
• AA International Film Festival Calls for Entries, by P.C. Staff, page 9. Asian CineVision is accepting entries for the 25th Asian American International Film Festival taking place in New York in July. The festival has a long history of premiering works by major Asian American filmmakers.
• Gotanda Play ‘Sisters Matsumoto’ Staged at East West Players Through Feb. 17, by P.C. Staff, page 9. East West Players is staging Philip Kan Gotanda’s ‘Sisters Matsumoto,’ about a Japanese American family’s return from internment to their Stockton farm, running through Feb. 17 in Little Tokyo. The production stars Sab Shimono, Natsuko Ohama and Emily Kuroda under the direction of Chay Yew.
• Book Reviews Roundup, by P.C. Staff, page 12. This roundup reviews several new books including ‘The Hand of Buddha’ by Linda Watanabe McFerrin, ‘A Convenient Spy’ about Wen Ho Lee, ‘Kimono: Fashioning Culture’ by Liza Dalby, and ‘Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White’ by Frank Wu. Each summary highlights the book’s themes and relevance to Asian American history and culture.

Community

• APAs in the News: Awards, Appointments, Announcements, by P.C. Staff, page 3. This roundup covers several Asian Pacific American appointments and honors, including David Chai’s appointment as California press secretary, John Chiang becoming chair of the State Board of Equalization, and Lon Hatamiya receiving a Government Leadership Award. Other honorees include Donna Shimoda Hollingshead, Matthea Marquart, and teacher Kari Ochi.
• 2002 Day of Remembrance: Programs to be Held Nationwide to Commemorate 60th Anniversary of E.O. 9066, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL chapters and Nikkei organizations across the country are holding Day of Remembrance programs in mid-February marking the 60th anniversary of Executive Order 9066. Events are planned in Washington D.C., Chicago, Evanston, Los Angeles, San Jose, and the Bay Area, with many linking WWII internment to post-9/11 treatment of Arab and Muslim Americans.
• Seven SELANOCC Chapter Stalwarts Receive JACL Sapphire and Silver Pins, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The Southeast Los Angeles North Orange County JACL recognized seven Nisei elders with JACL Sapphire and Silver pins at their 36th installation luncheon. Guest speaker U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Nakazato spoke about his work and the ongoing need to address discrimination.
• Mineta to Keynote Watsonville-Santa Cruz World War II Internment Re-enactment, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL announced a re-enactment of the Japanese American internment titled ‘Liberty Lost… Lessons in Loyalty’ set for April 27, featuring keynote speaker Norman Mineta. The event will depict incarceration, transport to Poston, Arizona, and the postwar return of families.
• Single Support, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Miyako Kadogawa and Janet Okubo presented a $1,000 check from the successful Ninth National JACL Singles Convention to national JACL. The funds came from four co-sponsoring singles chapters in Southern California.
• Georgia Commission on AA Affairs Holds Inaugural Reception, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The newly formed Georgia Commission on Asian American Affairs hosted an inaugural reception with Gov. Barnes and community leaders in Atlanta. The commission will advise the governor on issues affecting Georgia’s growing Asian American population, which more than doubled between 1990 and 2000.
• Arizona JACL Accepting Scholarship Applications, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Arizona JACL is accepting applications for several high school scholarship awards, to be announced at an April banquet in Glendale. Applicants must meet GPA and membership requirements tied to Arizona JACL or affiliated organizations.
• Manzanar National Historic Site Seeks Original Artifacts, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The National Park Service is seeking original structures, items and artifacts from the Manzanar War Relocation Center for an interpretive center opening in 2003. Efforts to restore the camp’s fences, orchard, and gardens are ongoing, with more than 45,000 visitors already this year.
• Southern California Flower Market Embarks on JA History Book Project, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Southern California Flower Growers, Inc. is documenting the century-long history of Japanese Americans in the Southland floral trade for an upcoming book. The market, which relocated from South Los Angeles to Little Tokyo and reopened after WWII closures, is one of the main flower markets in downtown Los Angeles.
• CSUS JAAC Accepting Donations in Georgiana White’s Name, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The CSUS Japanese American Archival Collection Advisory Board is collecting donations in honor of retiring archivist Georgiana White to support the JAAC endowment fund. The collection, started in 1994, includes the Mary Tsukamoto Collection and over 100 oral histories from Florin JACL members.

JACL

• PSWD to Host Nishikawa Oratorical Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL Pacific Southwest District will present the 2002 Dr. Roy Nishikawa Oratorical Competition on Feb. 24 in Los Angeles, open to high school and undergraduate students. The contest, named after former national JACL president Dr. Roy Nishikawa, addresses JACL’s role in the changing Japanese American community.
• Ceremony Postponement Details Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This continuation details the JACL committee’s deliberations over finding an appropriate keynote speaker, including names like Daniel Inouye and Norman Mineta, and their decision against holding the ceremony at the national convention to avoid reigniting controversy. Donations to support the ceremony can be sent to JACL’s NCWNPD office.

Sports

• Olympic News: Salt Lake 2002, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Asian American and Asian Canadian athletes are set to compete prominently in the 2002 Winter Olympics, including figure skater Michelle Kwan, pairs skaters Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman, and Canadian speedskater Catriona Le May Doan. Kwan is favored for gold despite a coaching change and inconsistent season.
• Speedskater Ohno Will Go for Gold After Allegations of Fix Are Dropped, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Apolo Anton Ohno was cleared of allegations that he helped fix a qualifying race after rival Tommy O’Hare withdrew his arbitration demand. An arbitrator found insufficient evidence to support the claims, allowing Ohno, Rusty Smith and Shani Davis to retain their Olympic team spots.
• Women’s College Basketball, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Lindsey Yamasaki scored a season-high 27 points to lead No. 3 Stanford past Arizona State, extending their win streak. UCLA point guard Natalie Nakase had 14 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a loss to Oregon.
• High School Basketball, by P.C. Staff, page 7. North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake fell to Los Angeles Loyola despite strong performances, while West Hills Chaminade defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame behind balanced scoring including Kevin Hiraiwa. Other notable performances came from Artesia’s Brittany Imaku and Fullerton Troy’s Alicia Komaki in games against league rivals.
• Women’s Golf: 12-Year-Old Wie Shows Tiger Potential, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Twelve-year-old Hawaii native Michelle Wie has drawn comparisons to Tiger Woods after impressing PGA Tour players at the Sony Open pro-am. Wie, who began golfing at age 4, is preparing to compete for the Curtis Cup team and in the Women’s Open.
• Pro Hockey, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Paul Kariya assisted on a late goal by Mike Leclerc to help the Mighty Ducks defeat the Nashville Predators 3-1. Dan Bylsma and Matt Cullen scored the other goals in the Ducks’ third consecutive win.

Obituaries

• Illinois Judge Otaka Profile Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This continuation details Judge Sandra Otaka’s career history, including her decade at the U.S. EPA, her role drafting the Cook County human rights ordinance, and her leadership on judicial and bar association boards. She has earned broad endorsements in her bid to retain her judicial seat.
• Obituaries, by P.C. Staff, page 11. This section lists numerous Nisei and Sansei individuals who passed away, including WWII veterans, internment camp survivors, and community members, detailing their birthplaces, survivors, and notable life achievements. Entries include veterans of the 442nd RCT and MIS, as well as longtime community figures.
• William Teruo Hashimoto, by P.C. Staff, page 11. William Teruo Hashimoto, 87, a Nisei resident of Mission Viejo, passed away Jan. 17 at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, with a private funeral service held at Fukui Mortuary.
• Robert Isamu Nagata, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Robert Isamu Nagata, a Berkeley-born WWII veteran, passed away and was survived by his wife Takeko, children, grandchildren, and sister. He had been married to Takeko for 51 years.

In-Depth

• I Rei To: Archeological Investigations at the Manzanar Relocation Center Cemetery, by P.C. Staff, page 12. A new National Park Service publication details archaeological investigations conducted between 1999 and 2001 at the Manzanar cemetery, revealing that many grave markers do not correspond to historical records. The book includes findings on burial practices, a pet cemetery, and evidence of pre-camp Native American occupation of the site.

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