Poston’s mothers, the Los Angeles riots, and the Power of Words debate

Vol. 154, No. 7, April 20, 2012. 16 pages. View this issue

Poston and the language of the camps ran through this issue. Christine McFadden reported on Marlene Shigekawa’s documentary about mothers who gave birth and raised children during the World War II incarceration (often called internment) at Poston, along with an effort to restore a barrack there. Commentary pages carried Paul H. Kusuda and Ed Suguro on the JACL’s Power of Words initiative, and Barbara Takei reviewed the film ‘Prisoners and Patriots.’ Nalea J. Ko wrote about Los Angeles twenty years after the 1992 riots, and about racecar driver Ryan Ellis.

Other pages looked at the Heart Mountain smokestack, the Minidoka Pilgrimage set for June 21-24, and a Venice memorial marker for the 70th anniversary of removal to Manzanar. Readers will also find the Military Intelligence Service documentary, a Silver Star presented to the family of Robert Ozaki, plans for the 43rd JACL National Convention, and a Fred Korematsu Day resolution in Pasadena.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Power of Words Poll, by Ed Suguro, page 2. A reader suggests polling former WRA camp internees on what terminology should be used to describe the camps, offering choices from ‘concentration camp’ to ‘other.’ He personally favors ‘internment camp’ and argues that only those who lived through the experience should participate since younger generations may skew results with more negative perceptions.
• A Thank You to the Nisei Vets, by Kuniko Ikemori Okamoto, page 2. A speech/language pathologist recounts a chance encounter in a French town where a resident praised the 442nd Regiment’s Japanese American soldiers for their kindness during WWII. She expresses regret for not sharing this story sooner and honors the mothers who sent their sons to war.
• Lessons Learned, by John Tateishi, page 8. Former JACL national director John Tateishi reflects on a 2010 internship report by a Chicago high school student, Remy Hidaka, who researched hate crimes against Asian Americans for the JACL. He muses on how the experience shattered her innocence and connects it to broader themes of racism in American society.
• The Cynical Politics of Outrage, by James Kumpel, page 8. James Kumpel criticizes the polarized political climate of the 2012 election cycle, citing examples like the contraception mandate controversy, Rush Limbaugh’s remarks, and the Trayvon Martin case as examples of media and political exploitation of outrage. He praises JACL for responding effectively to racially charged incidents involving Pete Hoekstra and Marion Barry without escalating tensions.
• Let’s Not Rewrite History, by Paul H. Kusuda, page 12. A former Manzanar internee argues against JACL’s Power of Words initiative, contending that using terms like ‘concentration camp’ rewrites history inaccurately since internees, while wrongly imprisoned, were not tortured or mistreated. He believes efforts should focus on educating the public about the injustice rather than changing terminology.
• Review: ‘Prisoners and Patriots’ Misses Historical Mark, by Barbara Takei, page 12. Barbara Takei critiques the documentary ‘Prisoners and Patriots’ about the Santa Fe DOJ internment camp, arguing it is incoherent, conflates the distinct stories of Issei internees and Tule Lake dissidents, and inaccurately portrays the internment experience in overly positive terms. She concludes the film fails to provide proper historical context despite being possibly the first on this topic.’

JACL

• Who Cares About Pacific Citizen? The JACL Membership Does, by Hugh Burleson, page 2. The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles of the Pacific Citizen newspaper due to declining JACL membership and national funding. It calls on JACL members to donate to the Spring Campaign to keep the paper operating and maintain its staff.
• Make Plans to Attend the 43rd JACL National Convention, by David H. Kawamoto, page 2. JACL President David Kawamoto recounts his visit to Seattle, Fife and Bellevue, Washington to tour the Hyatt Regency-Bellevue, site of the 2012 National Convention. He describes the hotel amenities, nearby dining options, and encourages members to register and attend the convention July 5-8.

In-Depth

• Hapa Racecar Driver Ryan Ellis Is on the Fast Track, by Nalea J. Ko, page 3. Ryan Ellis, a third-generation racecar driver of Hapa heritage, has raced since age 4 and now competes in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge with Insight Racing. Despite financial challenges of funding his racing career, Ryan continues to pursue his passion while honoring the legacy of his racing grandfathers.
• New Documentary to Focus on Mothers of Poston, by Christine McFadden, Correspondent, page 4. Marlene Shigekawa is producing a documentary about mothers who gave birth and raised children during WWII incarceration at Poston, inspired by her own birth there and her mother Misako’s experiences. Alongside the film, preservationists are working to restore an original barrack to Poston’s Camp 1 to build a visitor’s center and museum, with a fundraising deadline of May 15.
• Los Angeles Riots: A Community Revisited 20 Years Later, by Nalea J. Ko, page 5. Twenty years after the 1992 Los Angeles riots sparked by the Rodney King verdict, a new study shows many residents feel safer but acknowledge only ‘some progress’ in race relations. Community organizations, including Korean American groups, are commemorating the anniversary with educational events and symposiums reflecting on lessons learned and ongoing societal challenges.

National

• Former Mayor Barry Apologizes for Comment on Asian Businesses, by Associated Press and P.C. Staff, page 6. D.C. Councilman Marion Barry apologized after making disparaging remarks about Asian-owned businesses in his ward during his primary election victory speech. JACL and other Asian American organizations condemned his comments and called for a productive community dialogue focused on solutions.
• Forensic Analysis Could Save Iconic Heart Mountain Smokestack, by Martin Kidston, The Billings Gazette, page 7. Engineers are conducting a forensic analysis of the historic Heart Mountain smokestack, which has been leaning and cracking due to 70 years of weather exposure. The findings will guide a preservation plan to stabilize the structure, which stands as a landmark of the WWII internment camp.
• Governor Signs Ceded Lands Settlement Approved by Legislature, by Associated Press, page 7. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a historic $200 million settlement between the state and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, resolving a decades-long dispute over revenue from ceded lands. The settlement includes a real estate transfer that will allow OHA to develop the Kakaako Makai waterfront property for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.
• Junichi Suzuki’s New Documentary Tells Untold Military Intelligence Service Story, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 10. Director Junichi Suzuki’s new film ‘MIS: Human Secret Weapon’ documents the previously classified story of Japanese Americans who served in the Military Intelligence Service during WWII. The film features interviews with veterans and notable figures like Sen. Daniel Inouye and Norman Mineta, highlighting the MIS’s contributions despite discrimination faced by Nisei soldiers.
• Silver Star Given to Family of Hawaii Soldier, by Associated Press, page 10. Sen. Daniel Inouye presented the Silver Star posthumously to the family of Tech. Sgt. Robert Ozaki, who led a bayonet charge against German forces in Italy in 1943. Inouye apologized on behalf of Congress for the decades-long delay in recognizing Ozaki’s heroism.
• National Newsbytes, by Pacific Citizen Staff and Associated Press, page 10. A roundup of national news briefs including Pasadena’s school district passing a Fred Korematsu Day resolution, groundbreaking on an Asian American Resource Center in Austin, Yale faculty urging human rights protections at its Singapore campus, and a lawsuit alleging BP racism against Vietnamese and Cambodian American fishermen. Each brief covers a distinct civil rights or community development issue.
• Man Charged in Shooting Spree Talks to TV Station, by Associated Press, page 16. One Goh, charged with killing seven people at Oikos University in Oakland, expressed remorse in a jailhouse interview with a San Francisco TV station. The nursing program director, who believed she was the intended target, praised the victims during a memorial service, and the Korean Consul General called for community reflection.

Arts & Entertainment

• Heejun Han on Life After ‘American Idol’, by Nalea J. Ko, page 9. Korean American ‘American Idol’ contestant Heejun Han discusses his elimination from the show, his comedic persona, past struggles with depression, and his hopes for future entertainment opportunities. He reflects on his time on the show with humor, addressing criticism from judge Steven Tyler and rumors of a sitcom deal.

Community

• APAs in the News, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. This roundup covers various Asian Pacific American achievements including Kaz Maniwa’s appointment as senior vice president of the U.S.-Japan Council, Terry Shima’s retirement from JAVA, Miranda Du’s confirmation to the Nevada federal bench, a Senate resolution honoring Sen. Daniel Akaka, and Rose Ochi receiving the Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award. Each entry highlights significant career milestones or honors for community leaders.
• Minidoka Pilgrimage Will Take Place June 21-24 in Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. The annual Minidoka Pilgrimage celebrates its 10th anniversary with a Civil Liberties Symposium at Boise State University followed by pilgrimage events in Twin Falls, including tours of camp barracks and a commemorative closing ceremony. A special senior scholarship is being offered for pilgrimage attendees aged 80 or older who were imprisoned in WWII camps.
• Venice Japanese Memorial Marker Committee to Commemorate 70th Anniversary of WWII Internment, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 11. The Venice Japanese Memorial Marker Committee will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese Americans from Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu to Manzanar. The committee has raised nearly $25,000 and received a $50,000 National Park Service grant to construct a permanent monument at the site.
• Los Angeles Regional Celebration to Honor Gold Medal Awardees, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 13. Los Angeles will hold a regional Congressional Gold Medal celebration on June 9 at the Go For Broke Monument for Nisei WWII veterans, widows, and next of kin who could not attend the D.C. ceremony. Thanks to an anonymous donor, all attendees will receive Gold Medal replicas and a copy of the awarding Senate Bill.
• French Camp JACL Honors WWII Nisei Vets, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 13. The French Camp JACL chapter honored WWII veterans Tom Miyasaki, Katy Komure, and Fred Fukano at its 64th Annual Installation Luncheon, along with scholarship winner Sarah Keiko Asano. The chapter also installed its new board of officers for the coming year.
• Twin Cities JACL Hosts Speaker Training Workshop, by Pacific Citizen Staff, page 13. The Twin Cities JACL Education Committee hosted a workshop training the next generation to present on the Japanese American WWII experience, featuring discussions on parallels to Sept. 11th and breakout sessions for different age groups. The workshop was funded by a grant from the Ishida-Winifred Foundation of Illinois.

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