Vol. 155, No. 5, September 7, 2012. 12 pages. View this issue
Asian American bloggers and journalists gathered at the V3 Conference in Los Angeles, and George Toshio Johnston reported on how it grew and on a panel about newspapers and blogs. Gil Asakawa, the conference’s director of programming, wrote about what it meant for AAPI media. The JACL National Council approved its 2013-14 budget, Nalea J. Ko reported, and restored the Pacific Southwest District regional director and Pacific Citizen assistant editor positions. Ko also profiled Jeanne Konishi, who worked at a Salt Lake City advertising agency starting in 1953.
Commentary included Stanley Kanzaki on the 1942 Exclusion Order and the ‘Power of Words’ handbook, and Randall A. Ishida on teaching the incarceration (often called internment) in schools. Jane Watanabe asked readers for a living liver donor for her husband Paul, and Harry Honda wrote about the paper’s history and independence. Community pages announced a Marysville JACL medal ceremony for 442nd RCT and 100th Battalion veterans.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- The Missing Document From the ‘Power of Words’ Handbook, by Stanley Kanzaki, page 2. A New York JACL chapter member argues that the 1942 Exclusion Order should be included in the ‘Power of Words’ handbook as the original source of government euphemisms used against Japanese Americans. He explains exactly where and how the document should be inserted into the handbook’s text.
- A Pacific Citizen Reader’s Plea for a Transplant, by Jane Watanabe, page 2. Jane Watanabe describes her husband Paul’s liver failure from Hepatitis C and appeals for a living liver donor, noting his family’s WWII incarceration history and his uncle Joe Hayashi’s Medal of Honor service in the 442nd RCT. She provides blood type information and a donation page link to help find a donor.
- Why Educating Youth About Internment Is Important, by Randall A. Ishida, page 2. A Sacramento educator and Sansei writes about the importance of teaching all races about the Japanese American internment experience, especially in light of learning about the Fred Korematsu case. He emphasizes that this history should continue to be told in schools and public institutions.
- Recounting the Past for PC’s Permanence, by Harry Honda, page 5. Pacific Citizen editor emeritus Harry Honda reflects on the newspaper’s history, governance bylaws, and past contributors, in response to a report questioning the future structure of the P.C. editor position. He reviews the publication’s budget, past columnists, and expresses concern over proposals that could shift the P.C.’s independence and print format.
- V3 Con Reflects the Talent of the AAPI Media Community, by Gil Asakawa, page 5. Gil Asakawa, V3’s director of programming, reflects on the landmark conference that united Asian American journalists and bloggers, describing its panel topics and the significance of AAPI representation in media. He highlights meeting teenage sisters who run the website Cool Asian Kids as an inspiring example of emerging young AAPI media talent.
- Making Time for Temple, by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, page 5. Frances Kai-Hwa Wang writes about her family’s summer ritual of attending temple services, describing her seven-year-old son’s growing enthusiasm for the routine. She reflects on the value of the practice despite her inconsistency during the school year and hopes to continue it into the fall.
- Federal Government Has Stopped Working, by James Kumpel, page 9. A JACL New York chapter board member argues that both the Obama administration and Congress have bypassed normal legislative processes, citing executive orders on immigration, executive privilege over the Fast and Furious scandal, and Congressional dysfunction on budgets. He draws parallels to Executive Order 9066 and warns Japanese Americans should be especially wary of unchecked executive power.
In-Depth
- The Japanese American ‘Mad Woman’ of Utah, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. Jeanne Konishi, a 92-year-old Nisei, recalls her decades-long career at the Ross Journey advertising agency in Salt Lake City starting in 1953, where she was the only Japanese American woman on staff. The article details her career trajectory, workplace culture reminiscent of ‘Mad Men,’ and her enduring friendships with former co-workers Connee Gates and Velda Harman.
- Renamed Blog Confab Unpeels to Reveal API Vision, Voice, Visibility, by George Toshio Johnston, page 4. The V3 Conference in Los Angeles brought together Asian Pacific Islander American bloggers, journalists, and digital media figures, growing out of the earlier ‘Banana’ conference meetups. The article traces V3’s evolution, its partnership with AAJA-LA and IW Group, and the rise of AAPI voices in blogging and social media, including YouTube stars and sites like Angry Asian Man.
- Smackdown: Newspapers, Bloggers Accept Mutual Co-Existence, by George Toshio Johnston, page 4. A panel discussion at the V3 Conference titled ‘Smackdown: Journalism vs. Blogging’ explored the tension and eventual acceptance between traditional newspapers and independent bloggers. Panelists including Phil Yu, Henry Fuhrmann, Alden Habacon, and Adam Chau discussed how blogging became mainstream and how stories like Jeremy Lin’s rise united traditional and blog media audiences.
JACL
- The JACL National Board OKs Budget, Reinstates Staff Positions, by Nalea J. Ko, page 6. The JACL National Council voted to approve the 2013-14 biennial budget with amendments reinstating the Pacific Southwest District regional director position and the Pacific Citizen assistant editor position, both previously slated for elimination. The reinstatement was made possible by an unexpected revenue boost from several bequeathed trusts totaling over $1.5 million.
Obituaries
- Dr. Robert Yasui, Longtime Little League World Series Physician, Dies at 88, page 8. Dr. Robert Yasui, brother of civil rights champion Minoru Yasui, died at age 88 in Philadelphia after a career as a physician spanning more than 50 years, including service as a physician for the Little League Baseball World Series. Yasui’s family was incarcerated during WWII and he was expelled from the University of Oregon as a result, but he went on to build a distinguished medical career and is survived by his wife of 60 years, five children, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Community
- APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen, page 11. This roundup covers several community news items: a farewell tribute to JACL National Director Emeritus Floyd Mori, Angry Asian Man founder Phil Yu being honored at the JACL Gala, Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. headlining Go For Broke’s Evening of Aloha, and JACL partnering with OCA to support victims of the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin.
- Marysville JACL Gold Medal Ceremony, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Marysville JACL chapter will host a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on Sept. 15 honoring 18 local World War II veterans of the 100th Battalion/442nd RCT and Military Intelligence Service. Rep. Wally Herger will help present the medals, and Dr. Isao Fujimoto will speak about the units’ history.
- Bunka Hall of Fame Accepting Nominations, by P.C. Staff, page 12. The Japanese American Association of Northern California is accepting nominations for the 2012 Bunka Hall of Fame, which honors Northern Californians for significant Japanese cultural and artistic contributions. Nominees must be put forward by cultural organizations, with voting and display taking place at the Nichi Bei Kai building in San Francisco.
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