Arizona’s immigration law, the paper’s future and JACL’s candidates

Vol. 150, No. 8, May 7, 2010. 16 pages. View this issue

Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law led the news, as Asian Pacific American groups joined the fight against it and JACL called it the worst case of racial profiling since World War II. Lynda Lin reported on the response. The same issue carried a debate over the Pacific Citizen’s future. Readers Philip Nagata, Harry Tanikawa and Stanley N. Kanzaki wrote about the proposed move to San Francisco and print versus digital, and Sonya Y. Kuki defended the printed paper. JACL also announced its national board nominees ahead of the Chicago convention, and President Larry Oda previewed it.

Other pages looked at the Texas curriculum changes over the Japanese American incarceration (often called internment), a bill to study the Heart Mountain site, and plans for the Minidoka pilgrimage and a Manzanar school reunion. Nalea J. Ko wrote about taiko families, and John Tateishi and Ema Nakao contributed columns.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• To Move or Not to Move?, by Philip Nagata, page 2. A reader threatens to withhold donations and JACL membership renewal until a decision is made on the Pacific Citizen’s proposed move to San Francisco. He urges the paper not to abandon Los Angeles.
• Move Costs Associated with the Move, by Harry Tanikawa, page 2. A reader argues the proposed move of the Pacific Citizen to San Francisco doesn’t justify the projected savings, echoing concerns raised by Margie Yamamoto. He suggests alternative fundraising by chapters and making the paper monthly instead of moving.
• Digital vs. Print, by Stanley N. Kanzaki, page 2. A reader proposes four cost-cutting measures for the Pacific Citizen including reducing size, adding editorial sections, hiring commission-based ad sellers, and continuing print vs. digital surveys. He states he votes for print.
• Print Pacific Citizen Is a Cherished Tradition, by Sonya Y. Kuki, page 2. A young JACL editorial board member reflects on why her generation still values the printed Pacific Citizen despite reliance on digital media. She describes it as a refreshing, portable read that provides a break from screens.
• For the Record: Voices, by John Tateishi, page 8. John Tateishi analyzes a Harris Poll survey revealing widespread negative and often outlandish beliefs about President Obama among Republicans and some Democrats, including claims he is a socialist, Muslim, or foreign-born. He argues the intensity of personal criticism suggests underlying racism tied to Obama being the nation’s first black president.
• Teaching Japanese to a JA, by Ema Nakao, page 8. Ema Nakao reflects on teaching a Japanese American friend the Japanese language, discovering that her friend’s family lost fluency due to internment-era pressures to assimilate. Nakao, who is bilingual, discusses the lasting impact of internment on language loss and the value of bridging cultural and linguistic gaps.
• P.C. Spring Campaign: Keeping Community Stories Alive, by Sonya Kuki, page 11. Sonya Kuki continues her reflection on the personal importance of the Pacific Citizen, describing it as a vital connective thread for the APA community. She pledges support for the P.C.’s Spring Campaign and encourages readers to do the same.

National

• APAs Join Fight Against Arizona’s ‘Racial Profiling’ Immigration Law, by Lynda Lin, page 3. Asian Pacific American groups and activists are joining the fight against Arizona’s SB 1070 law, which criminalizes being undocumented and is feared to result in racial profiling against communities of color including APAs. JACL called it the worst case of racial profiling since WWII and has introduced a resolution to overturn the law at its national convention.
• Texas Board of Education Curriculum Changes Draw Criticism from JA Groups, by Nalea J. Ko, page 6. Japanese American organizations are urging the Texas Board of Education to amend social studies curriculum changes they say will dilute the history of Japanese American internment during WWII. Board member David Bradley pushed to equate the JA experience with that of German and Italian Americans, a comparison JACL and JAVA say misrepresents the racially motivated nature of the internment.
• Chin Is First APA Confirmed Outside of the 9th Circuit, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Senate voted 98-0 to confirm Judge Denny Chin to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, making him the only APA currently serving on a federal appeals court and the first confirmed outside the Ninth Circuit. Chin, born in Hong Kong, has served as a U.S. district court judge since 1994.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 6. Brief news items cover a judge deciding an Idaho feedlot dispute near the Minidoka historic site, San Francisco police boosting patrols after attacks on APAs, President Obama’s proclamation of May as APA Heritage Month, UC Riverside’s new Korean American studies center, and a JA organization honoring Navajo Code Talkers. Each brief provides a short summary of the respective development.
• Hawaii Lawmakers OK Civil Unions, Send Bill to Gov., by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 7. Hawaii’s House of Representatives approved a bill allowing same-sex civil unions, sending it to Gov. Linda Lingle who has not indicated whether she will sign or veto it. The bill would grant same-sex couples rights similar to marriage, joining five other states with similar laws, and has drawn strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.
• Bill Would Authorize Heart Mountain Study, page 7. Congressional legislation, H.R. 3989, would direct the National Park Service to study long-term management options for the former Heart Mountain internment camp site in Wyoming. Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis is sponsoring the bill, which has garnered local support and a letter of endorsement from former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who was incarcerated there as a boy.

Community

• Making Taiko a Family Affair, by Nalea J. Ko, page 4. Members of the Fukuma family and other taiko players describe how the drumming art form has brought their families together and connected them to their Japanese American heritage. The article traces taiko’s history in the U.S. and profiles multiple players across generations who find community, stress relief, and cultural identity through the practice.
• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 7. A roundup of community achievements including Yoshiko Ichiuji receiving a Jefferson Award, Amy Komure winning a French Camp JACL scholarship, Lysa Emiko Walterhouse winning a 4-H citizenship competition, and several other JA individuals recognized for professional and community accomplishments. The piece also notes new appointments and honors including Robert Yabuno’s appointment to Superior Court and several Women of the Year honorees.
• University Garden Rededicated in Honor of JA Builders, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 12. Cal State Dominguez Hills rededicated its Shinwa-En Japanese Garden, originally built by Japanese American gardeners in the 1970s, honoring the volunteers and their descendants who have maintained it. Volunteers like Bill Ota and Neil Sugimoto continue the legacy of their fathers who helped construct and preserve the garden.
• Dates Set For Manzanar High Reunion, page 13. This year’s Manzanar school reunion is scheduled for Aug. 9-11, featuring a mixer discussing a historic 1944 football game and a banquet honoring the late watercolorist Henry Fukuhara. Rangers from Manzanar National Historic Site will also update attendees on park activities.
• Nisei Fund to Award Scholarships to Southeast Asian Students, page 13. The Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund will award $50,000 in scholarships to Southeast Asian high school seniors in the Washington, D.C. area to mark its 30th anniversary. The fund, created by former internees whose educations were interrupted by WWII, has awarded nearly $600,000ver 30 years.
• Minidoka Pilgrimage Set For June 24-27, page 15. The 2010 Minidoka Pilgrimage will take participants from Seattle and Portland to the former internment site in Idaho for a memorial service honoring internees and Nisei soldiers. The site became a National Historic Site in 2008, and the pilgrimage commemorates the forced removal of nearly 13,000 Japanese Americans during WWII.

JACL

• See You in Chicago, by Larry Oda, page 5. JACL National President Larry Oda previews the 2010 national convention themed ‘Embracing Change,’ highlighting workshops, tours, and the opportunity for delegates to shape the organization’s future. He encourages members to attend and participate in convention activities before the June 10 early registration deadline.
• JACL Announces Nat’l Board Nominees, page 5. JACL’s nominations committee announced candidates for national office ahead of the June 30-July 4 convention in Chicago, including David Kawamoto for president and David Lin for vice president of membership. Both candidates provided statements detailing their JACL and professional backgrounds.
• Ohio High School to Drop ‘Orientals’ Nickname, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 12. Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James announced East High School will change its ‘Orientals’ sports team nickname after JACL called the term racist and xenophobic. James is also updating the district’s anti-discrimination policy to prohibit stereotyping names or symbols.
• Winner of 2010 JACL Oratorical Contest to Win Tickets to Japan, page 13. The winner of this year’s Minoru Yasui Oratorical Competition will receive two round-trip tickets to Japan donated by All Nippon Airways. The competition, open to JACL member students, asks contestants to address how the APA community and JACL can inspire change to meet current socio-political needs.

Arts & Entertainment

• Kelly Choi Dishes About ‘Top Chef Masters’, by Nalea J. Ko, page 9. Bravo TV host Kelly Choi discusses hosting ‘Top Chef Masters,’ her background as a former MTV Korea VJ, and her lifelong love of food rooted in her family’s grocery store. She shares an easy recipe, talks about handling online criticism, and reflects on being a role model for Korean Americans.

Sports

• San Jose’s ‘Humble’ Judo Master, by Nalea J. Ko, page 10. Yoshihiro ‘Yosh’ Uchida, who began teaching judo at San Jose State University in the 1940s, celebrated his 90th birthday while remaining active in the sport he helped establish as a nationally recognized discipline. Uchida recounts overcoming wartime discrimination and challenges from students and fellow soldiers, and describes his role in revitalizing San Jose’s Japantown.

In-Depth

• 522nd Veterans Honored for Liberating WWII Death Camps, page 11. Four Japanese American WWII veterans of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion were honored at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Day of Remembrance for helping liberate Jewish prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. Gen. David Petraeus praised the veterans, including Dr. Susumu Ito, whose own family was interned during the war while he helped liberate Dachau’s prisoners.
• JA Leadership Delegation Report, by Jan Yanehiro, page 13. Jan Yanehiro recounts the 2010 Japanese American Leadership Delegation’s trip to Japan, where members discussed the Futenma base relocation and Toyota recall issues with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and other officials. The delegation also had tea with Princess Takamado and met with U.S. Consul General Ed Dong to discuss challenges facing Japanese women executives.

Obituaries

• Masami Oda, page 15. Masami ‘Sam’ Oda, born in Berkeley in 1913, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2010 at age 96 after a brief illness. A UC Berkeley graduate and longtime Berkeley Buddhist Temple and JACL member, he was remembered for his love of golf, poker, family and the Cal Golden Bears.
• Bob Uyeyama, Leader Taught Internment Lessons to Youth, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 15. Bob Uyeyama, a WWII veteran and Florin JACL leader who dedicated his retirement to educating youth about the Japanese American internment experience, died April 24 of a heart attack while leading a walking tour at the Manzanar pilgrimage. He was 75 and had served as a docent for the California Museum of History and treasurer of Florin JACL.
• Victoria Manalo Draves Was First APA Gold Medal Olympic Diver, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 15. Victoria Manalo Draves, the first Filipina American woman to win two Olympic gold medals in diving at the 1948 London Games, died April 11 in Palm Springs at age 85 from pancreatic cancer complications. She overcame racial discrimination early in her career and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1969.
• Matao ‘Matt’ Shigio, page 15. Matao ‘Matt’ Shigio, 86, of San Francisco, died April 18 and was an MIS veteran survived by his children Dianne, Randall and Roderick and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Toshiko and several siblings.

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