Hate incidents at the Claremont Colleges and JACL’s finances

Vol. 138, No. 5, March 19, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

A string of hate-related incidents at the Claremont Colleges in California led the issue. Lynda Lin reported on the car vandalism being investigated as a hate crime, a burned cross and a racist scavenger hunt, and on the rally of over 3,000 students that followed. On the JACL side, Caroline Aoyagi covered a 2003 surplus of $344,991 and the national board’s reaffirmed support for same-sex marriage. Gil Asakawa, the P.C. Board Chair, opened the paper’s Spring Campaign.

Other stories include Congress naming Feb. 19 as a Day of Remembrance, the induction of Sen. Spark Matsunaga into a human rights hall of fame, and a Poston I camp reunion planned for October. Lynda Lin also followed a Florida bill to remove an alien land law clause. Paul Igasaki wrote on workplace diversity, and Paul Goshi wrote about growing up a mixed-race Yonsei. Page 7 covers skating, Hideki Matsui and Apolo Anton Ohno.

What’s in this issue

National

• Series of Hate-Related Incidences in College Town Ignites Racial Debate, by Lynda Lin, page 1. A string of hate-related incidents at the Claremont Colleges, including anti-Semitic vandalism of a professor’s car, sparked a campus-wide rally of over 3,000 students. The incidents, including a burning cross and racial slurs, prompted debate about race relations both locally and nationally.
• Lawmakers’ Attempt to Remove ‘Racist’ Land Law Clause Passes First Hurdle, by Lynda Lin, page 1. Florida House Joint Resolution 657, which seeks to remove an unenforceable alien land law clause from the state constitution, passed unanimously through the House Judiciary Committee. The bill still faces several more committees and a gubernatorial signature before it can appear on the November ballot.
• JACL Weighs In on Same-Sex Marriage Debate, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. JACL’s national board reaffirmed its 1994 resolution supporting same-sex marriage and signed onto a Leadership Conference on Civil Rights letter opposing a constitutional amendment banning it. Board members expressed reluctance to take a new official stance, citing the issue’s divisiveness within the organization.
• Congress Unanimously Names Feb. 19 as Day of Remembrance, Including Howard Coble, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 3. The U.S. House unanimously voted to designate Feb. 19 as the National Day of Remembrance for Japanese, German, and Italian Americans interned during WWII, with Rep. Howard Coble voting in favor despite earlier controversial remarks justifying internment. Rep. Michael Honda spearheaded the measure, and advocates say it will serve an important educational purpose.
• Less Severe Judgment Possible in Capital Espionage Case, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 3. The espionage case against Army chaplain Capt. James Yee took new turns as his lawyers proposed a settlement to dismiss serious charges in exchange for an honorable discharge. Military officials are reviewing the proposal, which would replace the most serious allegations with lesser charges of adultery and pornography possession.
• City Officials Change Tune in Debate Over Private Karaoke Booths, by Rachel Konrad, Associated Press Writer, page 3. San Mateo city officials reversed a ban on private karaoke booths after facing accusations of cultural insensitivity from Asian community members and karaoke fans worldwide. New rules will require see-through windows and unlocked doors to address concerns about illegal activity.
• Maker of Ghettopoly Sues Hasbro, by Associated Press, page 3. Asian American game creator David Chang is suing Hasbro after the company sent cease-and-desist letters preventing sales of his controversial board game Ghettopoly. Chang argues the game, criticized by black leaders as racist, is a parody and that Hasbro’s actions are premature given no infringement has been proven in court.
• National Newsbytes, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. This roundup covers several stories: Elko, Nevada joined other jurisdictions in opposing parts of the Patriot Act; eBay halted an auction attempting to sell Vietnamese girls; the FBI investigated vandalism at a Lubbock, Texas mosque; Hawaii’s Spam faces competition from a Danish rival; and a Tennessee Japanese boarding school considers admitting American students to stay open.
• Community-Corporate Partnership Establishes National Scholarship Program for APIAs, page 4. National APIA leaders launched the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) to provide financial support to API students who could not otherwise afford college. The organization aims to address the gap in national scholarship programs specifically serving Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
• Hate Crimes (continued), by Lynda Lin, page 6. Continuing coverage details additional hate-related incidents at Claremont Colleges, including a burned cross stolen from Pomona College and a racist scavenger hunt targeting Asian students. Students organized a campus-wide rally and cancelled classes in response, drawing national attention to campus race relations.
• Alien Land Law (continued), page 9. Continuing coverage of Florida’s HJR 657 details the years-long effort by Rep. Phillip Brutus and advocacy groups like OCA to repeal the state’s alien land law clause, facing obstacles including a previous attempt to add anti-immigrant amendments. Advocates hope for more success this year with expanded coalition support from groups like the NAACP.
• Marriage (continued), page 9. Further details on JACL’s internal same-sex marriage debate reveal division among board members, with some governors citing membership losses after the 1994 resolution while others push for a stronger stance against a constitutional amendment. JACL joined several major civil rights organizations in opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment.

JACL

• JACL Sees Surplus in 2003 But Still Exercises Caution in 2004, 2005-2006 Budgets, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. JACL’s national board reported a surplus of $344,991 for 2003 due to expense cutbacks and successful fundraising, but delayed announcing 2004 budget figures until May. Officials cautioned that continued membership growth and fundraising are needed to avoid future deficits.
• Finances (continued), by Caroline Aoyagi, page 6. Further details on JACL’s 2003 budget surplus reveal investment totals of over $7.3 million and ongoing debate about the Three Pillars policy guiding staff work in membership, fundraising, and education. Budget committee members expressed concern about incomplete 2004 figures and anticipated further cuts to avoid deficits.

Commentary

• Spring Into Action, by Gil Asakawa, page 1. P.C. Board Chair Gil Asakawa reflects on his year overseeing the Pacific Citizen and emphasizes its importance as a national newspaper connecting JACL members to news and each other. He launches the paper’s Spring Campaign, urging readers to support the publication financially.
• Letters to the Editor, page 2. Readers respond to a previous column on Harry Honda’s tribute to a JACL figure, a warning about pending legislation to reinstate a military draft, and a thank-you for a commentary on Japanese American values. The letters reflect ongoing community engagement with JACL and national issues.
• Diversity — What a Concept!, by Paul M. Igasaki, page 4. Former EEOC vice chair Paul Igasaki discusses the complexities of achieving true workplace diversity beyond simply wanting it, emphasizing the need for careful analysis of recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices. He argues that objective investigation and understanding of diversity issues are essential for organizations to succeed in this area.
• A Category Uniquely My Own, by Paul Goshi, page 5. A mixed-race Yonsei college student reflects on his complicated relationship with his Japanese American identity, from childhood estrangement following anti-Japanese sentiment in the 1980s to renewed interest sparked by the popularity of anime and manga. He describes ongoing uncertainty about his ethnic identity while embracing his unique background as a UC Berkeley freshman.
• Utah Fails to Pass Hate Crimes Bill, Again, by Jeff Itami, page 8. Utah’s legislature failed for the third time to pass an enforceable hate crimes bill after competing versions by Rep. David Litvack and Sen. James Evans could not be reconciled. Evans’ vague language, intended to be constitutionally unenforceable, effectively killed protections for specific victimized groups despite advocacy efforts including an appearance by Judy Shephard.

Community

• Sen. Spark Matsunaga Inducted Into Human Rights Hall of Fame, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 3. The late Sen. Spark Matsunaga was posthumously inducted into the Montgomery County, Maryland Human Rights Hall of Fame for his decades of congressional service and his role in winning reparations for interned Japanese Americans. Matsunaga served in the 100th Infantry Battalion during WWII and represented Hawaii in Congress from 1962 to 1990.
• All Poston I Family Reunion Set for October, page 5. The Poston I Camp Reunion, planned for Oct. 8-10 at the Flamingo Hotel, aims to bring together descendants of internees to learn about the WWII incarceration experience. The event will include bus tours of the former camp site, educational forums, and a luncheon with the Colorado River Indian Tribal Council.
• Nation’s First Leadership Institute for API Lesbian and Gay Youth Now Accepting Applications, page 6. The Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights (APIHR) launched the nation’s first leadership institute for API LGBTIQ youth, offering a retreat and internship program to train future community leaders. Applications are due April 16 for participants 24 years old or younger who are active in their communities.
• Gala to Recognize Vietnamese Americans, page 8. The Vietnamese American National Gala will be held May 10 in Washington D.C. to celebrate three decades of Vietnamese American achievement as part of Asian Pacific American Month. Secretary of State Colin Powell has been invited to deliver the keynote address, with other dignitaries also expected to attend.

Sports

• Yamaguchi Among Finalists for USOC Hall of Fame, page 7. Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is among the finalists for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s first induction class since 1992, alongside athletes like Michael Jordan and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Inductees will be selected by Olympians, officials, media, and public internet voting, with induction set for July 1 in Chicago.
• Ando Wins Women’s Free Skating Program at Junior Worlds, page 7. Japan’s Miki Ando won both the short and free skating programs at the Junior World Figure Skating Championships, claiming her first overall title after previous runner-up finishes. She defeated American skaters Kimmie Meissner and Katy Taylor.
• New York City Hopes Matsui Will Score With Japanese Travelers, page 7. New York City tourism officials unveiled a $3 million marketing campaign featuring Yankees star Hideki Matsui to attract Japanese tourists, whose numbers dropped significantly after 9/11 and Japan’s economic downturn. Matsui, serving as tourism ambassador, expressed hope that fans will visit the city and Yankee Stadium.
• Sato Thrilled With His Return to Track, page 7. Japanese Formula One driver Takuma Sato returned to racing with BAR Honda at the Australian Grand Prix after a year away, despite a wild spin during practice. Sato expressed confidence and enthusiasm about the new season after replacing Jacques Villeneuve.
• Ohno, Hallisey Repeat as U.S. Short Track Champions, page 7. Apolo Anton Ohno swept the 1,000 and 3,000-meter races to win his fourth straight U.S. Short Track speedskating title, while Caroline Hallisey claimed her second consecutive women’s national title. Shani Davis qualified for both short and long track world teams, becoming only the second U.S. skater to achieve this feat.

Obituaries

• Federal Appeals Judge Herbert Choy Dies, by Associated Press, page 11. Herbert Y.C. Choy, the first Asian American to serve on the federal bench, died March 10 at age 88. Appointed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Nixon in 1971, Choy was remembered as a man of integrity and a mentor to many respected lawyers.

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