A slur on a Texas road sign, a coach’s phrase, and a revived cartoon

Vol. 139, No. 2, July 14, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

The word “Jap” ran through this 12-page issue. John Tateishi, JACL’s executive director, wrote about Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells using the slur in “Jap plays” and tied it to the long fight over “Jap Road” in Beaumont, Texas. P.C. Staff reported that the Texas Honor Committee planned to ask Jefferson County Commissioners on July 19 to rename the road. Caroline Aoyagi covered National Lampoon’s DVD re-release of the “Mr. Wong” cartoon, and Tateishi said he would demand its withdrawal.

Elsewhere, Lynda Lin interviewed actor John Cho about his lead role in “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” Henry Choi reported on a film comparing Japanese American incarceration with the treatment of Arab Americans after 9/11. Floyd Mori previewed the JACL national convention in Honolulu, and Bill Marutani and Ed Suguro wrote columns. Pages 6 and 12 carry scholarship and student honors from local chapters, and page 7 is all sports.

What’s in this issue

Arts & Entertainment

• John Cho Talks About Life, Fame and His New Lead Role in ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’, by Lynda Lin, page 1. Assistant Editor Lynda Lin interviews actor John Cho about his transition from bit parts to leading man in the New Line Cinema comedy ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.’ Cho discusses the film’s portrayal of Asian American characters, his background as an English major at Berkeley, and his experiences with fame.
• More Than Just Pokemon: Anime Expo 2004 Proves No End in Sight to Exploding Popularity of Japanese Animation and Comics, by Yumi Sakugawa, page 9. Anime Expo 2004 in Anaheim drew thousands of dedicated fans dressed as characters from popular anime series, reflecting the growing mainstream popularity of Japanese animation in America. Attendees and industry figures discussed anime’s complex storytelling and predicted its increasing integration into mainstream American entertainment.

Commentary

• Far From Over, by John Tateishi, page 1. JACL Executive Director John Tateishi criticizes Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells for using the slur ‘Jap plays’ and condemns the NFL’s decision not to fine him. He connects this incident to the ongoing ‘Jap Road’ controversy in Beaumont, Texas, and vows to continue pressing both issues.
• What’s in a Name?, by Yorkie Tahiguro Tanabe, page 2. A reader responds to a previous Pacific Citizen article about name changes among Asian Americans, arguing that names like Huynh, Luong, and Takeshi are already American names once held by American citizens. The writer shares her own story of reclaiming her birth name ‘Yoshie’ after being renamed ‘Faith’ by a minister to make it easier for mainlanders to pronounce.
• Are ‘Jap Plays’ Still Acceptable?, by Berkeley Chapter, page 2. A letter writer questions why JACL only addresses the surface-level usage of derogatory terminology rather than confronting racialized assumptions more directly, citing the Parcells, Al Franken, and eBay incidents as examples. The writer urges JACL leadership to provide guidance on how members can ensure the issue doesn’t fade away.
• Memoirs of a Yellow Fever Fantasy, by Yumi Sakugawa, page 5. Pacific Citizen intern Yumi Sakugawa reflects on cultural stereotypes of Japanese women through the lens of the play ‘M. Butterfly’ and personal experiences with interracial dating assumptions. She explores the sociopolitical implications placed on Asian American women’s romantic choices and argues for individual autonomy over racial stereotyping.
• Quest for Quest, by Bill Marutani, page 8. Columnist Bill Marutani reflects on Bill Hosokawa’s book ‘JACL In Quest of Justice,’ examining the polarized perceptions of JACL and its leadership’s difficult decisions during the WWII incarceration era. He highlights statements by Mike Masaoka and Saburo Kido that reveal the organization’s fraught position advocating for the Nikkei community under extreme duress.
• No Longer Business as Usual, by Ed Suguro, page 8. Ed Suguro examines the declining Japanese American population as shown in the 2000 census and its implications for the future of Nikkei communities and JACL. He argues that without significant immigration from Japan and amid rising outmarriage rates, ethnic-specific Nikkei institutions may gradually disappear as younger generations become more mainstream.

National

• National Lampoon Revives Controversial ‘Mr. Wong’ Cartoon on New DVD, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. National Lampoon has re-released the controversial ‘Mr. Wong’ cartoon on DVD three years after Asian American groups successfully protested its original run, but this time few have objected. The article examines reactions from National Lampoon executives, college students, and JACL’s John Tateishi, who plans to demand the DVD’s withdrawal.
• ‘9066 to 9/11’ — Film Explores Similarities Between Arab American and JA Experiences, by Henry Choi, page 3. A documentary screened at the Japanese American National Museum draws parallels between the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans and the post-9/11 treatment of Arab and South Asian Americans. A panel discussion featuring journalists Val Zavala, Lorraine Ali, Ken Moritsugu, and Niraj Warikoo followed the screening, discussing media impact and community solidarity since 9/11.
• Texas Commissioners to Take Up ‘Jap Road’ Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Texas Honor Committee plans to ask Jefferson County Commissioners to remove the racial slur from ‘Jap Road’ at a July 19 meeting, proposing to rename it after the Japanese Mayumi family who once farmed there. Various civil rights organizations have supported the renaming campaign since 1993, though some county commissioners and residents oppose the change.
• Hate Crimes in Calif. Drops 10 Percent as Post-Sept. 11 Emotion Abates, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 3. California hate crimes dropped 10 percent in 2003, the second consecutive annual decline following a spike attributed to anti-Arab sentiment after 9/11. Attorney General Bill Lockyer called it a positive trend but emphasized continued prevention efforts, noting most crimes were motivated by race, ethnicity, or national origin.
• Appeals Court Upholds U.S. Citizenship for N. Marianas Islanders, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Northern Mariana Islanders born after the 1976 commonwealth establishment are U.S. citizens. The case was brought by two individuals whose citizenship claims were rejected by the State Department.
• Japanese Tops List of Most Cited Ancestry in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. According to the 2000 census, Japanese ancestry was the most commonly cited by Hawaii residents at nearly 21 percent. Filipino ancestry ranked second, followed by Hawaiian, Chinese, and German.
• Oregon Historical Society Opens New Permanent Cultural Exhibit, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A new $2.2 million permanent exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society features a re-creation of the pre-WWII Yasui Brothers’ Japanese-owned general store. The exhibit displays items in stock before the family was interned following Pearl Harbor, with community members offering guided tours in July and August.
• More Interpreters, Training Needed for Asian American Voters, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A report by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund found that Asian American voters in New York City face hostile poll workers, inadequate signage, and lack of language access despite federal requirements. The report recommends better training of election workers and aggressive recruitment of interpreters ahead of November elections.
• Hmong Refugees May be Put on Waiting List for English Classes, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. About 300 people are on a waiting list for English classes in St. Paul, which could disadvantage thousands of Hmong refugees expected to arrive in Minnesota this year. Funding cuts have limited the capacity of adult literacy and ESL programs to meet demand.
• Muslim Beaten in San Diego by Man Yelling Racial Slurs, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A Muslim man buying milk for his children was beaten in a supermarket parking lot by an attacker screaming racial slurs, shattering his tooth and cutting his lips. Police were investigating but had not determined if it would be classified as a hate crime, and the victim said this was his first physical assault since 9/11 despite prior verbal attacks.
• Most Northwest Nevadans Support Patriot Act, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A poll found most northwest Nevadans support the Patriot Act and don’t believe it infringes on American rights, with a stark partisan divide between Republicans and Democrats. The act was passed by Congress shortly after the 9/11 attacks with little debate.
• Melissa Chiu Named New Museum Director for Asia Society, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 4. Melissa Chiu has been named the new museum director of the Asia Society after serving as the organization’s curator for contemporary Asian and Asian American art since 2001. She has curated several notable exhibits and was a founding member of the Asian Contemporary Art Consortium.
• Mr. Wong (continued), by Caroline Aoyagi, page 5. This continuation details reactions from college students and civil rights advocates to the reissued ‘Mr. Wong’ cartoon, with some finding it merely humorous while others call it a harmful stereotype. National Lampoon and Icebox executives defend the cartoon as satire, while JACL’s Tateishi warns of its potential to normalize racist humor among young audiences.

Sports

• Japanese Filly Gives Closed-Circuit Sport International Appeal, by Lynda Lin, page 1. Japanese thoroughbred filly Dance in the Mood made history as the first Japanese filly invited to race in the American Oaks Handicap at Hollywood Park in decades, though she finished second. The article explores how her participation may open doors for greater Japanese involvement in international horse racing despite the loss.
• Japan’s Baseball Owners Reject World Cup Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Japanese baseball owners rejected a proposal to hold the first baseball World Cup in the United States next year, preferring the International Baseball Federation over major league involvement. The disagreement could prevent MLB stars like Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki from representing Japan in the tournament.
• CSU Fullerton’s Suzuki Named College Baseball’s Top Catcher, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Cal State Fullerton’s Kurt Suzuki won the Johnny Bench Award as college baseball’s best catcher after helping lead the Titans to a national championship. The Maui native set a CWS record for chances handled without an error and was named Big West player of the year.
• Dodgers Add Chin-Feng Chen to 25-Man Active Roster, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Los Angeles Dodgers added Taiwanese outfielder Chin-Feng Chen to their active roster after a strong season at triple-A Las Vegas. Chen previously made history as the first Taiwanese player on a Major League active roster and 40-man roster.
• American Harris Leads Yao, China into Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Chinese basketball officials hired Dallas Mavericks coach Del Harris to lead the national team at the Athens Olympics, hoping to improve on a poor showing at the 2002 world championships. With Yao Ming and young talent Yi Jianlian, the team faces challenges integrating Harris’s coaching concepts ahead of the 2008 Beijing Games.
• NBA’s First South Korean Player Lands Nike Sponsorship, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ha Seung-jin, the first South Korean player drafted into the NBA, signed a four-year sponsorship deal with Nike. The 7-foot-4 center was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the recent draft.
• Wie Will Try to Qualify Next Year for Men’s Open, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Fourteen-year-old golf prodigy Michelle Wie plans to enter local qualifying for the men’s U.S. Open next year as part of her continued effort to compete against men. She recently tied for 13th at the U.S. Women’s Open qualifying event and previously missed cuts on several men’s tours.
• Horseracing (continued): Japanese Filly’s Impact on International Racing, by Lynda Lin, page 12. Despite finishing second in the American Oaks Handicap, Dance in the Mood’s participation is seen as a significant step for Japanese horse racing’s international presence. Industry officials hope her performance will encourage more Japanese owners to race horses abroad and eventually produce a Kentucky Derby winner.

Community

• General Store Manager Vies to be Big Island Mayor, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 4. Dominic Yagong, manager of Whalers General Store and a former Hawaii County Council member, announced his run for Big Island mayor. He will face incumbent Mayor Harry Kim in the September primary.
• Wang Receives Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 4. Techedge Inc. Chairman and CEO Peter Wang received the ‘Outstanding 50 Asian Americans In Business’ award for his entrepreneurial achievement in telecommunications. Wang was recognized for co-founding telecom ventures in the United States and China.
• Kaneshiro Running to Again be Honolulu Prosecutor, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 4. Keith Kaneshiro is seeking to reclaim the position of Honolulu prosecuting attorney, which he held from 1988-1996, running against incumbent Peter Carlisle. Kaneshiro cites his prior accomplishments in making Honolulu safer as motivation for his campaign.
• Locke Appeals for Bone Marrow Donors, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 4. Washington Gov. Gary Locke is appealing for bone marrow donors, especially those of mixed race, to help an 11-year-old boy with leukemia find a match. Locke, a longtime blood donor and bone marrow registry member, highlighted the scarcity of matches for mixed-race patients.
• Santa Maria Valley JACL Honors Students, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Santa Maria Valley chapter of JACL honored four local high school students for their achievements. The honorees included Kasey Shigenaka, Ryan Lau, Kevin Masuda, and Laura Daum.
• Monterey Peninsula Chapter Presents Scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Monterey Peninsula JACL and partner organizations awarded $500 scholarships to two outstanding local high school graduates, Tiffany Kuwatani and Kai Esaki. Kuwatani plans to study biology at UCLA toward becoming an ophthalmologist, while Esaki will study history at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with plans for law school.

JACL

• JACL to Host Inaugural Annual Golf Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 4. JACL announced its inaugural Golf For Youth Tournament to be held at Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine on Oct. 9, with proceeds supporting youth programs like leadership conferences and internships. National President Floyd Mori will chair the event, with philanthropist George Aratani serving as honorary chairman.
• Getting Down to Business, by Floyd Mori, page 6. JACL National President Floyd Mori previews the upcoming national convention in Honolulu, highlighting planned activities and the importance of proposed bylaw amendments to modernize the organization. He praises national staff for their dedication amid financial challenges and urges delegates to focus on strengthening JACL’s future rather than internal politics.

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