Vol. 154, No. 9, May 18, 2012. 16 pages. View this issue
The Topaz Museum’s search for land and a new home headlined this issue. Christine McFadden reported that the museum had bought 96 percent of the camp site’s 640 acres and was raising over $2 million for a building. Nalea J. Ko covered the JACL national board’s 2013-2014 budget, which eliminates two staff positions, and filed the third part of her series on HIV/AIDS in the Asian Pacific American community. Gordon Hirabayashi’s Presidential Medal of Freedom was announced on page 7.
Also inside: a preview of the JACL national convention in Bellevue, Washington, July 5-8, with a welcome from John Matsumoto and a guide to the candidates for national office. Commentary included John Tateishi on same-sex marriage and a debate over the words used for the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Christine Fukushima interviewed Ben Huh of Cheezburger, and Kevin Miyazaki made the case for the Spring Campaign.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Welcome to the 2012 JACL National Convention, by John Matsumoto, page 2. Past president John Matsumoto welcomes readers to the JACL national convention taking place July 5-8 in Bellevue, Washington. He encourages attendees to enjoy the Pacific Northwest District’s scenic areas and restaurants during their visit.
- A Walk Down Memory Lane, by Jane Kano, MD, page 2. A reader from Denver reflects on an April 6 article about San Francisco redistricting collaboration, recalling her own high school independent study project visiting Asian American youth groups in San Francisco in 1974. She notes the historic collaboration between Japanese American and African American communities on shared concerns.
- Re: Priscilla Ouchida, Our New JACL National Director, by Takasumi Kojima, page 2. A letter congratulates Priscilla Ouchida on becoming JACL’s first woman national director, praising her work promoting cultural understanding and political skills. The writer expresses hope for JACL’s transition into a modern, progressive civil rights organization.
- Spring Campaign: In Defense of the P.C., by Kevin Miyazaki, page 2. Kevin Miyazaki makes the case for financial support of the Pacific Citizen during its Spring Campaign, citing a recent issue as an example of its valuable mix of news and information. He argues the newspaper is essential for keeping JACL’s diverse membership connected and informed.
- For the Record: Obama and Same Sex Marriage, by John Tateishi, page 8. Former JACL national director John Tateishi discusses President Obama’s historic announcement supporting same-sex marriage and predicts fierce Republican backlash during the election year. He notes JACL’s unique position as the only national civil rights organization with an affirmative stance supporting same-sex partnerships.
- The Right Place: Relevance in the Era of Diversity, by James Kumpel, page 8. James Kumpel reflects on JACL’s civil rights legacy during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month while critiquing affirmative action policies that profile Asian American students as a racial group rather than individuals. He urges JACL to broaden its mission to address concerns of new Asian immigrants and underserved communities.
- The Truth About WWII Will Set You Free, by Stanley N. Kanzaki, page 13. Stanley Kanzaki responds to previous letters favoring euphemisms for WWII incarceration camps, arguing that terms like ‘internment camp’ inaccurately describe the experience of the 120,313 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were citizens. He contends that ‘concentration camp’ is historically accurate and cites statements from Jewish organizations and U.S. presidents supporting this terminology.
- Committee Introduces New Power of Words Handbook on Language, JA WWII Experience, by Power of Words Committee 2, page 13. The Power of Words 2 Committee announces the availability of a draft handbook recommending accurate terminology, such as ‘incarceration’ and ‘concentration camp,’ to describe the WWII Japanese American experience instead of government euphemisms. The committee invites public feedback, supporter list sign-ups, and donations before the handbook is voted on at the 2012 JACL national convention.
- Miyazaki: In Defense of the P.C. (continued), by Kevin Miyazaki, page 16. Continuing his Spring Campaign appeal, Miyazaki details specific stories from a recent P.C. issue, including coverage of Priscilla Ouchida, WWII incarceration history projects, and HIV/AIDS reporting, to illustrate the newspaper’s value. He calls on readers to support the publication to maintain its high journalistic standards.
JACL
- JACL’s Efforts to Help Japan, by Floyd Mori, page 2. National Director Floyd Mori thanks supporters of the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund, a joint JACL-Direct Relief International effort following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, noting that Brad Pitt praised the organization publicly. Mori previews further details about his trip to Japan to visit funded projects, continued on page 16.
- JACL National Board Approves Proposed 2013-2014 Budget with Future Staff Eliminations, by Nalea J. Ko, page 5. The JACL national board approved a 2013-2014 budget that eliminates the Pacific Citizen assistant editor position in 2014 and the PSW District regional director position in 2013, amid debate from board members concerned about the cuts. The board also passed motions supporting a Congressional Gold Medal commemorative stamp campaign and releasing the Power of Words Handbook draft to chapters.
- Convention 2012 Atmospherics — ‘Asian American Puget Sound’, by Hugh Burleson, page 6. Hugh Burleson describes the Asian American business and cultural presence in the greater Seattle area ahead of the national convention, highlighting trade ties, consulates, and Nikkei community institutions like Uwajimaya, Keiro, and Densho. He also notes local media figures and community festivals like the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival and Bellevue’s Aki Matsuri.
- Get to Know the Candidates for National JACL Offices, page 10. The JACL national nominating committee released statements and Q&A responses from candidates running for national offices including president, vice presidents, secretary/treasurer, and youth council chairperson. Candidates including Jeffrey Yoshioka, David Lin, Craig Tomiyoshi, Jason Chang, John Moy, Matthew Farrells, and Jeffrey Moy addressed leadership, fundraising, and organizational challenges facing JACL.
- Mori: JACL’s Efforts to Help Japan (continued), by Floyd Mori, page 16. Mori describes his April trip to Japan with Direct Relief International CEO Thomas Tighe to visit projects funded by the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund, including cash-for-work programs, mobile libraries, and elder health monitoring. He expresses gratitude for the resilience of the Japanese people and thanks JACL Japan Chapter and Meiji Gakuen University for their assistance.
In-Depth
- HIV/AIDS Healthcare: The Ties That Bind and Divide the APA Community, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. This third installment of a series examines how the Asian Pacific American community’s diversity of over 100 languages and 45 ethnic subgroups complicates HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention efforts. It profiles individuals like Heather, a Burmese refugee living with HIV, and Edwin Mah, a Chinese American diagnosed in 1986, highlighting the need for disaggregated data and language-specific healthcare support.
- Fundraising Efforts Seek Land and a New Home for Topaz Museum, by Christine McFadden, page 4. The Topaz Museum is working with The Conservation Fund to acquire the remaining unprotected land at the former WWII incarceration camp in Utah, having already purchased 96 percent of the site’s 640 acres. The organization is also raising over $2 million to build a physical museum, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for August 2012.
National
- Gordon Hirabayashi to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 7. Civil rights icon Gordon Hirabayashi will be posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom alongside figures like Bob Dylan and Madeleine Albright. Hirabayashi defied WWII internment orders in 1942, was convicted, and had his conviction overturned by a federal appeals court in 1987 before passing away earlier this year.
Community
- Chicago Honors Japanese American WWII Veterans, page 7. The Nikkei World War II Veterans Tribute in Chicago honored 43 Nikkei veterans who served during WWII but were ineligible for the Congressional Gold Medal, including recognition of Ben Kuroki, the first Japanese American hero of WWII. The April 22 event featured handmade leis and quilts for veterans and was co-sponsored by several Chicago-area Japanese American organizations.
- Arizona JACL Event Spotlights Youth, Veterans, page 7. The Arizona JACL’s April 22 luncheon honored Sara Hutchings Clardy Scholarship recipients and local Nisei WWII veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion, and Military Intelligence Service. Rep. Trent Franks presented replica Congressional Gold Medals to 25 local veterans and the event recognized elementary, high school, and college graduates.’
Arts & Entertainment
- LOL-ing With Ben Huh, the Meme Mogul, by Christine Fukushima, page 9. Ben Huh, CEO of Cheezburger, discusses how he and his wife Emily purchased ‘I Can Has Cheezburger?’ for about $2 million and built it into an empire of over 60 meme-based websites with millions of fans. The company recently received $30 million in venture funding and is developing a Bravo reality show about Huh and his team.
Obituaries
- Former JACL Nat’l President James Murakami Passes, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 15. James Murakami, former JACL national president from 1976-1978 who helped lead the Redress Movement, passed away April 28 at age 85 while helping his son on the family tractor. Murakami, who was incarcerated at Amache during WWII, was remembered by JACL leaders for his lifelong dedication to the organization and civil rights.
- James Fumio Murakami, page 15. James Fumio Murakami, born in Santa Rosa in 1926, passed away April 28, 2012, after a career as an electrical/mechanical engineer and service as JACL national president. He is survived by his wife Margarette, son Alan, daughter Kimiye, grandchildren, and other relatives, with a memorial service held May 20 in Sebastopol.
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