Racial slurs on Texas roads, and tributes to Reagan and Judge Marutani

Vol. 138, No. 11, June 18, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

A racial slur in public life ran through this 12-page issue. Caroline Aoyagi reported on Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells’ use of the word “Jap” and on the push to rename Texas roads that carry it. John Tateishi of JACL said he would press the NFL for a dialogue on its policies. Three World War II veterans, Grant Ichikawa, Grant Hirabayashi and Joe Ichiuji, wrote to county commissioners to urge a new name for “Jap Road.” After Ronald Reagan’s death, Japanese Americans remembered the president who signed the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. A portrait of Judge William Marutani was unveiled at Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Elsewhere, Lynda Lin asked whether tattoos with Asian writing show appreciation or insensitivity, and also wrote on the documentary “Sumo East and West.” JACL announced its candidates for national office, and the Midwest District Council held its Min Yasui Oratorical Contest. Sports pages followed Michelle Wie, Kimiko Soldati and Yao Ming.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Culture Is Skin Deep: Tattoos with Asian Writing Spark Cultural Debate, by Lynda Lin, page 1. The article explores the growing trend of tattoos featuring Asian characters and writing among people of various backgrounds, questioning whether the practice represents cultural appreciation or insensitivity. It features interviews with tattoo artists and individuals who got such tattoos for personal, cultural, or purely aesthetic reasons, highlighting risks of mistranslation and appropriation.
• JACL Takes Part in Memorial Day Service at Arlington Cemetery, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Washington, D.C. chapter organized a Memorial Day Service at Arlington Cemetery featuring speakers including Rear Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu. A wreath was laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of all Japanese Americans.
• Fresno Dedicates First School Named After a JA, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fresno held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first school named after a Japanese American, Akira Yokomi, who operated the iconic Central Fish market in Fresno’s Chinatown until his murder in 1996. His nephew, who now runs the business, spoke about the significance of the honor.
• APAs in the News, by Associated Press and Pacific Citizen Staff, page 4. This roundup features several Asian Pacific American newsmakers: 14-year-old actor Yuuya Yagira winning Best Actor at Cannes, Samuel Wong stepping down as Honolulu Symphony director, Dalton Tanonaka announcing a congressional run in Hawaii, and Ted Hong being recommended for a federal judgeship.
• Alice Kasai Scholarship Winners Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 12. Utah’s three JACL chapters awarded a total of $4,000 in scholarships from the Alice Kasai Scholarship Fund at a joint dinner. Five students, including Eric Murakami and Greg Stillman, received awards ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Commentary

• A Quality Paper Despite the Hurdles, by Andrea K. Parker, page 1. A journalism student compares the Pacific Citizen favorably to her university newspaper, praising its recent visual redesign and quality writing despite a small staff. She urges readers to donate to the PC’s Spring Campaign to support the publication’s continued operation.
• WWII Veterans Support Name Changes in Texas, by Grant Ichikawa, Grant Hirabayashi, Joe Ichiuji, page 2. Three Japanese American WWII veterans write to Jefferson County commissioners urging them to rename “Jap Road,” citing the historical offensiveness of the slur and the sacrifices of JA soldiers like Saburo Tanamachi. They argue the name should be changed to honor Japanese American families and their wartime sacrifices rather than perpetuate a derogatory term.
• Thanks 🙂, by Stacey Toda, page 2. A reader thanks the Pacific Citizen for an article that addressed the mispronunciation of her name by radio hosts the Tai Twins. She humorously notes she has been teased with a new chant since the incident.
• A Bit Too Revealing, by Kim Kamada, page 2. A reader expresses discomfort with a photo of 14-year-old golfer Michelle Wie wearing a revealing dress in a previous issue. The writer says the outfit seemed inappropriate for someone her age.

National

• Parcells’ Use of ‘Jap’ Highlights Continued Efforts to Rid Texas of Racist Road Names, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells used the slur “Jap” to describe trick plays, prompting apologies from him and the team but drawing criticism from JACL leaders who say it parallels ongoing efforts to rename Texas roads like “Jap Road” and “Jap Lane.” JACL’s John Tateishi vowed to press the NFL for a dialogue on policies regarding racial slurs by coaches and players.
• JA Community Remembers President Who Signed Historic Redress Bill, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 1. Following President Ronald Reagan’s death at age 93, Japanese Americans reflected on his legacy as the president who signed the 1988 Civil Liberties Act, granting redress payments to internment survivors. JACL leaders and officials praised his leadership in closing this chapter of American history, though his broader legacy is also referenced by other officials.
• Portrait of Marutani Unveiled at Philadelphia’s City Hall, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A portrait of retired Judge William Marutani, the first Asian American judge outside the West Coast, was unveiled at Philadelphia’s City Hall, marking also the launch of the William Marutani Fellowship for law students. Marutani, a former Tule Lake internee and MIS veteran, served on the Commission on Wartime Relocation and continues to write for the Pacific Citizen.
• Ceremony Honoring Wen Ho Lee Canceled, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 3. A planned California Assembly ceremony honoring former accused spy Wen Ho Lee was canceled after a Republican group objected, calling the recognition potentially disloyal. The Asian legislative caucus instead privately honored Lee with a “Profile in Courage” award, citing his perseverance through wrongful prosecution.
• Appeals Court Reinstates Petition Drive, by Associated Press, page 3. A Michigan appeals court reinstated a petition drive seeking to end affirmative action at public universities, overturning an earlier ruling that found the petition’s wording confusing. Organizers celebrated the ruling but acknowledged it may be too late to make the 2004 ballot.
• Rep. Honda Demands Investigation Into Yee Case; Calls on Army to Demonstrate Due Process, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Mike Honda formally requested a Department of Defense investigation into the Army’s handling of Chaplain James Yee’s court martial, which resulted in his solitary confinement despite charges eventually being dropped. Honda, joined by other House members, seeks to determine whether Yee’s arrest and treatment followed proper military legal procedures.
• National Newsbytes, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. This roundup covers multiple national stories: a Justice Department consent decree addressing anti-Asian violence at a Brooklyn high school, the Enola Gay pilot’s visit to Pearl Harbor, a controversial sting targeting Asian traditional medicine buyers, cities opposing the USA Patriot Act, a Hmong soldier deployed to Iraq without citizenship, a former Burmese beauty queen joining a Unocal human rights lawsuit, and Census data showing explosive Asian population growth.
• MDC Hosts Min Yasui Oratorical Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Midwest District Council held its Min Yasui Oratorical Contest, where students addressed the challenge of hate crimes against Asian Pacific Americans. Winner Miyoko Conley will represent MDC at the national competition in Honolulu this August.
• Skin Deep: Tattoos with Asian Writing Spark Cultural Debate, by Lynda Lin, page 12. This continuation piece further examines personal stories behind tattoos with Asian characters, including individuals reconnecting with heritage and non-Asians adopting the trend out of admiration for the culture. Tattoo artists warn of the risks of mistranslation and caution people to research meanings carefully before getting inked.

JACL

• JACL Announces Candidates for National Office, page 5. The JACL Nominations Committee released the list of candidates running for national board positions ahead of the upcoming convention, including president, vice presidents, secretary/treasurer, and youth council representatives. Each candidate’s JACL background, qualifications, and vision for the organization’s Program for Action were detailed.

Sports

• Suzuki a Finalist for Johnny Bench Award, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Cal State Fullerton catcher Kurt Suzuki was named a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher. Suzuki ranks among the nation’s best hitters and will be honored at a banquet in Wichita where the award will be presented by Johnny Bench himself.
• Yao Carries Olympic Torch, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. NBA star Yao Ming carried the Olympic torch through Shanghai as part of the Beijing torch relay ahead of the 2008 Olympics. He was one of 148 torchbearers who helped light a ceremonial cauldron at the Summer Palace.
• Old-timer Soldati Claims Spot on U.S. Olympic Diving Team, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. At 30, diver Kimiko Soldati overcame a poor dive and years of injuries to win the 3-meter springboard event at the U.S. Olympic trials, securing her first Olympic berth. Her father, born in a WWII internment camp, watched proudly as she qualified to represent the country that once imprisoned his family.
• Wie Helps United States Win Curtis Cup, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 7. 14-year-old golfer Michelle Wie helped the U.S. team defeat Britain and Ireland to retain the Curtis Cup, winning her singles match decisively. Wie was the youngest player in Curtis Cup history and contributed key points alongside teammates Paula Creamer and Annie Thurman.

Arts & Entertainment

• Examining Culture Clashes with ‘Sumo East and West’, by Lynda Lin, page 9. The documentary “Sumo East and West” explores the cultural conflicts and triumphs of foreign-born sumo wrestlers, including Hawaii’s Akebono and Konishiki, who reshaped the traditionally closed Japanese sport. Filmmaker Ferne Pearlstein aimed to present sumo with dignity rather than as a spectacle, highlighting both its beauty and the racism faced by non-Japanese wrestlers.

Obituaries

• Hisa H. Amimoto, page 11. Hisa H. Amimoto, 86, of Chicago passed away, survived by her brother George and sister Tami Hirashiki along with many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held June 9 at Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church.
• Elmer Masaaki Uchida, page 11. Elmer Masaaki Uchida, 89, a Manzanar internee and longtime West Los Angeles resident, passed away May 30, survived by his son, daughter, grandchildren, and several siblings. A memorial service was held June 4 at West Los Angeles United Methodist Church.
• Marion I. Fujii, page 11. Marion I. Fujii, 82, of Chicago passed away, survived by her husband Fred and three sons along with grandchildren and a great-grandchild. A memorial service was held June 5 at Montrose Cemetery.

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