THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL March 19-April 8, 2021

celebrating 9 2 y e a r s

Legacies of trauma intersect from both sides of Nobuko Miyamoto’s family. She is centered here in 2018 with her grandchildren, Asiyah (left) and Noora Ayubbi.

PHOTO: ZOHAIR MOHSEN

SHARING » PAGE 2 Biden Condemns Violence Against OUR LEGACY AAPI’s. Decades Following Redress, » PAGE 8 Japanese Americans Show Redemption for Dr. Seuss? Support for HR 40. » PAGE 6

#3383 / VOL. 172, No. 5 ISSN: 0030-8579 WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG 2 March 19-April 8, 2021 NATIONAL

HOW TO REACH US BIDEN CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST Email: [email protected] Online: www.pacificcitizen.org Tel: (213) 620-1767 ASIAN AMERICANS IN ADDRESS Mail: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 Los Angeles, CA 90012 The president’s speech marks the one-year quarantine imposed after the pan- STAFF anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic. demic caused by the spread of the Executive Editor SARS-CoV-2 virus, which appears Allison Haramoto to have originated in China. Senior Editor By P.C. Staff them — our fellow Americans on the Digital & Social Media front lines of this pandemic trying to That situation has been exacerbated George Johnston n his first national address save lives — and still, still they are by trade and security tensions Business Manager since taking office, President forced to live in fear for their lives between the United States and the Susan Yokoyama People’s Republic of China. Production Artist Joe Biden on March 11 in- just walking down streets in America. Marie Samonte Icluded comments condemning the It’s wrong, it’s un-American, and it Biden’s comments stand in contrast to the previous administration, in Circulation surge of attacks against Americans must stop,” Biden said. Eva Ting of Asian descent. Attacks upon individual Asian which government officials referred President Biden delivered In his 24-minute address, Biden Americans, as well as acts of van- to the novel coronavirus as the “China The Pacific Citizen newspaper his first primetime address (ISSN: 0030-8579) is published semi- referred to “vicious hate crimes dalism on Asian American-owned virus” and the “Wuhan flu.” to the U.S. people on March monthly (except once in December against Asian Americans who have businesses and properties where and January) by the Japanese Ameri- 11, which marked the one- been attacked, harassed, blamed and Asian Americans frequent increased For a complete transcript of can Citizens League, Pacific Citizen, year anniversary of the 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 scapegoated.” alarmingly over the past 12 months Biden’s speech, visit https://abcnews. Covid-19 pandemic. Los Angeles, CA 90012 “At this very moment, so many of amid the national lockdown and go.com. Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA POSTMASTER: Send address chang- es to National JACL, 1765 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115 or chapter member involvement. JACL President: Jeffrey Moy Again, very specific information is Executive Director: David Inoue Best Practices for Your LEGACY better than a broad description. For P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD example, the Twin Cities application Rob Buscher, chairperson; Ron Kura- included the actual name of the moto, MDC; Danielle Pierce, EDC; FUND GRANT APPLICATION member assigned to each project task. Marcia Chung, CCDC; Nancy Ukai, True membership involvement as the NCWNPDC; Sheldon Arakaki, PNWDC; By Roberta Barton and Toshi Abe, screenings, iconic speakers, archival outcomes were critically necessary Michaela Ishino, IDC; John Saito Jr., JACL Legacy Fund Grant research and cultural festivals. and specifically how their project driving force of a project is a major PSWDC; Marco Torrez, Youth Rep. criterion for funding evaluation. Co-Chairs Creativity in developing a project would achieve the outcomes. Subscribe Proposals that clearly demonstrate that has not been done before could • Be Specific With Your Budget Get a one-year subscription of the a proven track record of success and Pacific Citizen newspaper at: pplications for the 2021 elevate your proposal. Research the Rather Than Describing JACL Legacy Fund Grants history of previous grant recipients excellent planning for subsequent www.pacificcitizen.org or call Only Broad Categories (i.e. (213) 620-1767 are due May 1. Application on the JACL website. Browse the phases of a project will be favorably “Research”). Advertise Ainstructions and the submission form digital repository of past issues of viewed by evaluators. Making a The Detroit application provided To advertise in the Pacific Citi- can be downloaded from the JACL the Pacific Citizen, too. These are strong case that your district or a great concept of a budget. Each chapter has invested in human capital zen, call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail: website (www.jacl.org). great strategic resources to spark [email protected] budget line item clearly explained for long-term growth is important. To assist districts and chapters your creative ideas. LEGAL how the estimate was computed. Legacy Fund Grant Committee preparing their proposals, the Legacy • Develop Measurable Goals. Explain how factors like market or No part of this publication may be representatives are Carol Kawamoto, reproduced without the express per- Fund Grants Committee offers the The Twin Cities application is a industry standard, vendor quote, following tips for success. PSW; Meg Mizutani, NCWNP; mission of the Pacific Citizen. perfect example of well-defined hourly rate or per diem rate influenced Sheldon Arakaki, PNW; Brynn Editorials, letters, news and the opin- • Unique and New projects Are goals. Their proposal provided an your estimate. These details can be Saito, CCDC; Mika Kennedy, MDC; ions expressed by columnists other Always Appreciated. extremely in-depth description for explained in your budget justification. than the national JACL president or Janet Komoto, IDC; Mariko Rooks, national director do not necessarily re- Through the years, the Legacy each project goal in both qualitative Another aspect of a successful NY/SC; Teresa Maebori, EDC. flect JACL policy. Events and products Fund has supported a wide range and quantitative detail, outlining what Legacy Fund Grant application is Committee Co-Chairs are Roberta advertised in the P.C. do not carry the of activities such as exhibits, film the desired outcomes were, why the a strong demonstration of district Barton and Toshi Abe. n implicit endorsement of the JACL or this publication. We reserve the right to edit articles. © 2021 Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, Calif. and mailing office. ‘I’m glad to see the Pacific Citizen SPRING growing and evolving with its website, CAMPAIGN and especially LOVE the much easier- to-navigate digital archives. It’s a JACL MEMBERS treasure trove for JAs to learn about our Change of Address JACL MEMBER? q q q$50 q$100 q$150 q$200 qOTHER ——— community’s history, and for scholars and journalists looking to connect the If you’ve moved, past with the present. Thanks for the please send new Name : improvements, P.C.!’ information to: — Gil Asakawa National JACL 1765 Sutter St. : Address 1 San Francisco, CA 94115 Phone Number : E-mail : (415) 921-5225 ext. 26 Allow 6 weeks for The P.C.’s mission is to ‘educate on the past Japanese American experience and address changes.

preserve, promote and help the current and future AAPI communities.’ To avoid interruptions in delivery, * Your donations will help build and preserve a cohesive please notify your library of the Pacific Citizen to educate future generations.* postmaster to include periodicals in your change of address INFORMATION: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 | Los Angeles, CA 90012 | TEL: (213) 620-1767 | WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG (USPS Form 3575) COMMENTARY March 19-April 8, 2021 3

exploited Asian women to feed his leading the investigation around tant thing to say are the names of FROM THE so-called sex addiction and then the assertion that the motive does the victims: blamed them for what he saw as not appear to be racially motivated. Elcias Hernandez Ortiz, who E X E C U T I V E his shortcomings and punishing • The possible role that the survived and remains in the DIRECTOR them with their deaths. perpetrator’s evangelical Christian hospital (as of press time) • The societal stereotypes and background might have played Hyun Jung Grant fetishization of Asian women, in radicalizing his views and Daoyou Feng all as part of the fundamental regretfully the intersection of Suncha Kim dehumanization that racism serves conservative Christian theology Paul Andre Michels WHERE TO START, BUT to promote. and white supremacy. Soon C. Park • The socioeconomic dynamics of • The failure of gun laws that Xiaojie Tan WHEN WILL THIS END? Asian service workers during the allowed the murderer to purchase Delaina Ashley Yaun pandemic, interacting in close the gun on the same day he would Yong A. Yue contact with countless clients use it to end the lives of eight By David Inoue, that can be written about what has when social distancing is the safest people. The lone survivor and those whose JACL Executive Director happened — it leaves me paralyzed protection from infection. • The very fact that the use of a lives ended much too early are now with where to start. • The police humanizing the firearm enabled this to be a mass part of these other narratives that t has been a year since the • The culmination of a year of murderer, saying that this was murder. threaten to steal their personhood, Covid-19 pandemic first initi- violence toward Asians in a mass- just a case of someone having • A pattern of extremist and hate- their individuality in the same way ated increases in hatred toward casualty shooting left eight people a bad day . . . juxtaposed with based mass murders including that the pandemic of anti-Asian rac- IAsian communities and individu- ism has done for 3,800 others. dead and one wounded, with six highlighting the victims as possibly Tree of Life Synagogue, Pulse als in our country and others. Over of the victims being Asian. And sex industry workers, as if to make nightclub, Oak Creek, El Paso, These are not statistics, these 3,800 incidents have been reported yet the fear that this is just another their deaths less consequential or Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. are our neighbors, classmates, at stopaapihate.org, ranging from point in what may continue to be meaningful. • The juxtaposition of this incident family members and friends. And verbal harassment and workplace an ongoing stream of racism levied • The quickness of the police to of gun violence with increasing they, and we, all deserve better. discrimination to violent assaults, against our communities. dismiss the possibility that this gun ownership amongst Asians When will enough be enough? including the March 16 mass shoot- • How this fits into a pattern of was racially based because the seeking to protect themselves from When will this end? ing in Atlanta. racism throughout our history perpetrator said it wasn’t. this pandemic of hate. We wish we could say we are David Inoue is executive director against Asian, Black, Latinx and • FBI Director Christopher Wray There are many more narratives shocked, in disbelief that this could Indigenous communities. similarly sandwiching comments of the JACL. He is based in the have happened, and yet, it is not that could be applied to this, but at organization’s Washington, D.C., • The intersection of racism and that the FBI is in a supportive this time, perhaps the most impor- surprising at all. There is so much misogyny in how the murderer role to the local police who are office.

things than they did before. What’s a joining a conversation. They might tivities or other engagements. They typical age-related change? Making stop in the middle of a conversation might have trouble keeping up with LEGAL-EASE: occasional errors when managing and have no idea how to continue, or a favorite team or activity. What’s a AN ATTORNEY’S finances or household bills. they might repeat themselves. They typical age-related change? Some- 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks might also struggle with vocabulary, times feeling uninterested in family PERSPECTIVE have trouble naming a familiar ob- or social obligations. People with Alzheimer’s often find ject or use the wrong name (e.g., 10. Changes in mood and personality it hard to complete daily tasks. Some- calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”). times they might have trouble driving What’s a typical age-related change? Individuals living with Alzheimer’s HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? to a familiar location, organizing a Sometimes having trouble finding might experience mood and per- grocery list or remembering the rules the right word. sonality changes. They can become professionals. of a favorite game. What’s a typical confused, suspicious, depressed, By Judd Matsunaga, Esq. There are 10 warning signs and age-related change? Occasionally 7. Misplacing things and losing the fearful or anxious. They might be symptoms. If you notice any of ability to retrace steps ust the other day, I lost the needing help to use microwave set- easily upset at home, with friends them, don’t ignore them — schedule keys to my storage locker. Yup, tings or record a TV show. People living with Alzheimer’s or when out of their comfort zone. an appointment with your doctor. I tried retracing my steps and disease might put things in unusual What’s a typical age-related change? So, what are the “signs”? 4. Confusion with time or place Jstill couldn’t find them. So, there’s places. They might lose things and be Developing very specific ways of this nagging part of my brain that 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life People living with Alzheimer’s can unable to go back over their steps to doing things and becoming irritable lose track of dates, seasons and the says, “Could be a sign of early One of the most common signs of find them again. They might accuse when a routine is disrupted. Alzheimer’s.” It continued, passage of time. They might have others of stealing, especially as the In conclusion, according to the Alzheimer’s disease, especially in trouble understanding something “Remember how you couldn’t recall the early stage, is forgetting recently disease progresses. What’s a typi- experts, early detection matters. If the name of that restaurant the other if it is not happening immediately. cal age-related change? Misplacing you notice one or more signs in your- learned information. Others include Sometimes they might forget where day?” But, at 63, I’m too young to forgetting important dates or events, things from time to time and retracing self or another person, get checked. have Alzheimer’s, right? they are or how they got there. What’s steps to find them. These are significant health concerns asking the same questions over and a typical age-related change? Getting So, I looked it up. According to the over and increasingly needing to 8. Decreased or poor judgment that should be evaluated by a doctor. Alzheimer’s Assn. (www.alz.org), confused about the day of the week Getting checked by your doctor can rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder but figuring it out later. Individuals might experience an estimated 6.2 million Americans notes or electronic devices) or family help determine if the symptoms you age 65 and older are living with 5. Trouble understanding visual changes in judgment or decision- are experiencing are truly due to Al- members for things they used to making. For example, they might Alzheimer’s dementia in 2021. Fur- handle on their own. images and spatial relationships zheimer’s or some other — perhaps thermore, the number of Americans use poor judgment when dealing even treatable — condition. What’s a typical age-related change? For some people, having vision with money or pay less attention to living with Alzheimer’s is grow- Sometimes forgetting names or problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. grooming or keeping themselves Judd Matsunaga is the founding ing — and growing fast. In fact, 72 appointments but remembering This might lead to difficulty with clean. What’s a typical age-related attorney of Elder Law Services percent are age 75 or older (which them later. balance or trouble reading. They change? Making a bad decision or of California, a law firm that means 28 percent are under age 75). might also have problems judging 2. Challenges in planning or solving mistake once in a while, like neglect- specializes in Medi-Cal Planning, I was reassured to learn that simple distance and determining color or problems ing to change the oil in the car. Estate Planning and Probate. He forgetfulness (the “missing keys”) contrast, causing issues with driving. can be contacted at (310) 348-2995 and delay or slowing in recalling Some people living with dementia What is a typical age-related change? 9. Withdrawal from work or social or [email protected]. names, dates and events can be part might experience changes in their Vision changes related to cataracts. activities The opinions expressed in this of the normal process of aging. How- ability to develop and follow a plan People living with Alzheimer’s 6. New problems with words in article are the author’s own and ever, when memory loss prevents or work with numbers. They might disease might experience changes speaking or writing do not necessarily reflect the view us from performing daily tasks and also have trouble following a familiar in the ability to hold or follow a of the Pacific Citizen or constitute our accustomed roles in life, it be- recipe or keeping track of monthly People living with Alzheimer’s conversation. As a result, they might legal or tax advice and should not comes a health concern that needs bills. They might have difficulty con- might have trouble following or withdraw from hobbies, social ac- further evaluation by health-care centrating and take much longer to do be treated as such. 4 March 19-April 8, 2021 NATIONAL/COMMENTARY JACL NEW ENGLAND RECALLS ITS UNIQUE EFFORTS TO HELP PASS THE 1988 CIVIL LIBERTIES ACT The DOR event also connects the continuing legacy of the past with efforts today to seek African American redress. By P.C. Staff Boston’s Nisei Sources and Contri- among them, reflections of “Hito butions to the Japanese American Hata’s” 1981 impact, efforts by the edress was probably the Redress Movement,” which was chapter in 1980-81 to convince the most improbable victory published recently in the Asian Commission on Wartime Relocation in the history of Ameri- American Law Journal. and Internment of Civilians to hold Keynote speaker Peter Kiang ‘Rcan politics to actually pull off,” Kiang reflected on the New Eng- hearings in Boston and a 1980 letter spoke of the important impact reflected New England JACL Co- land Japanese American commu- from Congressman Robert Brian to of JAs from the East Coast to achieving redress. President Kenneth Oye during the nity’s crucial behind-the-scenes Kei Kaneda, who headed NEJACL’s of “raising the banner” to draw chapter’s Day of Remembrance contributions to the successful Chapter Redress Committee. attention and mobilize support truth of those stories is another virtual event on Feb. 27. passage of HR 442. Also among the archives was a of work that was successfully important legacy of the redress “Japanese American Redress: In April 1981, a showing of the letter from Eji Suyama in 1980 that achieved by NEJACL during redress experience that continues to have Then and Now” featured guest 1980 film “Hito Hata: Raise the discussed how the context of the Iran to today’s xenophobic anti-Asian influence on other movements. . . . speaker Peter Kiang from UMass Banner” was held in Massachusetts, Hostage Crisis of 1979-80 parallels violence. There’s a direct link. There has been a Boston and comments from UMass where 550 people from the local issues of racism and hate today. “This anti-Asian violence is still 42-year effort to get a commission to Boston’s Paul Watanabe and Phila- Japanese American community “He referenced the targeting of now intensifying even further. There study Black reparations in the U.S.” delphia JACL’s Paul Uyehara. The came together to view the film at a Iranians in the U.S. and making that is certainly a role for the chapter and Oye summarized: “When you look Zoom event was co-moderated by time when efforts were being mobi- direct connection to civil liberties in Japanese American perspectives at the calls for reparations today, Oye and NEJACL Co-President lized in preparation of Congressional context to the Iran Hostage Crisis of from WWII and the articulation of there are daunting hurdles to be Margie Yamamoto. hearings regarding redress. 1979-80. We think of that in terms the consequences of that period on sure, but at the same time, pulling Kiang, who is a professor and Kiang also spoke about archived of the post-9/11 work and Eji was mental health and everything else,” together and how to pull together director of Asian American Stud- boxes containing NEJACL’s re- doing that in 1980 — drawing out Kiang said. to pull off improbable victories is ies at UMass Boston, centered his dress history that were donated those civil liberty connections.” Echoed Watanabe: “These stories that story of the past and hope for presentation on his paper “Exploring by Yamamoto to UMass Boston, Kiang tied in “Hito Hata’s” theme and the idea and the sources of the the future.” n

heterosexual or straight, but he Today, my life is filled with more second edition. If you would like to A MOTHER’S sees himself as a transgender man. diversity and vibrancy because I raise your awareness and understand He doesn’t go up to people and have been able to embrace all these more deeply through the journey of TA K E introduce himself that way, just like differences not only in color, but one family that has navigated this I wouldn’t go up to a person and say, identity and orientation as well. unknown path, I would love for you “Hi, my name is Marsha, and I am My awareness has also been lifted to read our book. straight.” But he doesn’t try to hide to what true respect is. Even though Not every family has taken the that part of himself, unless he is in I did not understand things in the same path as we have or experienced R-E-S-P-E-C-T, an unsafe place. beginning, true respect was listening the same challenges and amazing mo- Today, I am aware of the difference to my son and educating myself along ments, but we can provide a glimpse FIND OUT WHAT IT between our gender identity and the way. I made a lot of mistakes . . . into some of the ways we have had to sexual orientation. My eyes have more than I would like to admit, but change how we think, act and speak been opened to the recognizing mistakes and apologizing to be more respectful, supportive MEANS TO ME spectrum of identi- was and is still part of my journey and loving. ties and orientations of respect. Our book is on Amazon in paper- By Marsha Aizumi thing that I can do that exist, and it has This morning, I received an email back and digital on many devices. is honor the choices made my life more from a person I misgendered. They Look for the cover with the rainbow, t has been 12 years since our that they are making full. use they, them, their pronouns, and I as the other covers are previous family started our journey to sup- for their lives. Just like there is used “her” in an email I wrote. Yes, editions. port Aiden’s transition. During I have had to learn not only one shade it is hard for me, an English major, to In honor of celebrating Internation- Ithese 12 years, our lives have been about the many ways of blue, but all dif- wrap my mind around using a plural al Transgender Visibility, Aiden and I filled with increased awareness and transgender people ferent shades of pronoun in a singular way, but that would love to do a book giveaway. If understanding, which has all led us to identify. When Aiden that color, my is just an excuse centered on me and you send me a few sentences on ways this place of advocacy and purpose. transitioned and fell in world of color not respecting them. I replied that you have changed how you think, And so in this month of Inter- love with Mary, some has expanded. I was sorry, and I would do better act or speak about the LGBTQ+ national Transgender Visibility, people questioned why in the future. I was respecting them. community, we will select one or I wanted to share some of the ways he could not stay a girl Marsha and Aiden Another place my awareness has two submissions and send you an that my awareness has been lifted and just be a lesbian. Aizumi’s book has been lifted is when I would use the autographed book as a gift from us. because more and more transgender But who you love and been reissued wrong pronoun in the past, espe- My email address is maizumi8888@ individuals are visibly sharing their how you see yourself are recently as a cially talking to a person face to face. gmail.com. I would LOVE to hear stories. two different things. Who second edition. I remember feeling horrible and over from you!! You will be notified at Our transgender community is you love is your sexual apologizing. the end of the month if you have very diverse. Some people want to orientation, but how you This made the transgender person been chosen for our book giveaway. have surgeries and take hormones see yourself is your gender identity. feel so uncomfortable that they de- Thank you everyone. . . . to bring them into alignment with I have met people assigned male flected and said it was OK. Today, how they feel and see themselves. at birth who transitioned to be fe- when I make a mistake like I did Marsha Aizumi is an advocate Others choose to only change their male, but still loved women. And in that email, I just apologize and in the LGBT community and names and pronouns. Still, others so instantly, they became lesbian. move on. Not over apologizing is author of the book “Two Spirits, do something in between. Initially, And then there are individuals like also about respecting them. One Heart: A Mother, Her Trans- it was confusing for me, but now Aiden who transitioned, but are still Our book, “Two Spirits, One gender Son and Their Journey to I understand transitioning is an indi- attracted to women. Heart,” has been reissued as a Love and Acceptance.” vidual choice, and the most important In today’s society, he is seen as COMMUNITY March 19-April 8, 2021 5

“We are horrified by this violence, which GEORGIA POLICE SEEK MOTIVE IN SALON SHOOTINGS has no place in America or anywhere,” he said. The mass killing spree by a lone gunman leaves In the aftermath of the inci- eight victims, six of whom were Asian women; dents, the National JACL issued statement. In part, it read: “The JACL responds with national statement. JACL mourns the loss of lives and condemns these acts of violence. ATLANTA — A White gunman accused of The suspected gunman responsible for Regardless of whether these ac- killing eight people, most of them women of the salon mass shooting spree that left tions were racially motivated, we Asian descent, at three Atlanta-area massage eight people dead is in custody; violence recognize that these events have parlors on March 16 was charged with murder against Asian Americans continues to shaken the Asian American com- March 17 in an attack that sent terror through grow throughout the U.S. munity. We must continue to stand the Asian American community that’s increas- together in solidarity and support ingly been targeted during the coronavirus one another as we navigate these pandemic. Cherokee County authorities say difficult times. It is our hope that Robert Aaron Long, 21, told police that the Long was charged with four counts him on the shootings and noted that Asian some light is shed on these events attack was not racially motivated and claimed of murder and one count of assault. Americans are concerned about a recent rise in and that justice is sought for those who were to have a “sex addiction,” with authorities say- The attack was the sixth mass killing this violence, a surge he has previously condemned. harmed. ing he apparently lashed out at what he saw as year in the U.S., and the deadliest since the He called the attack “very, very troublesome” “Whether these murders were intended sources of temptation. Six of the victims were August 2019 Dayton, Ohio, shooting that left but was waiting for answers on the shooter’s to target the victims because of their work, identified as Asian and seven were women. nine people dead, according to a database motivation. gender or their Asian ethnicity, they come at The shootings appear to be at the “intersec- compiled by the Associated Press, USA Today Vice President Kamala Harris offered a time when our community is already feeling tion of gender-based violence, misogyny and and Northeastern University. condolences to the victims’ families. exposed and vulnerable. The impacts of the xenophobia,” state Rep. Bee Nguyen said, It follows a lull in mass killings during the “We’re not yet clear about the motive. But discrimination and outright racism that have the first Vietnamese American to serve in the pandemic in 2020, which had the smallest I do want to say to our Asian American com- been brought to the forefront by the Covid-19 Georgia House and a frequent advocate for number of such assaults in more than a decade, munity that we stand with you and understand pandemic have continued to wear us down, women and communities of color. according to the database, which tracks mass how this has frightened and shocked and out- and while the motives behind this most recent Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said killings defined as four or more dead, not raged all people,” said Harris, the first Black attack still remain unknown, the implications regardless of the shooter’s motivation, that “it including the shooter. and South Asian woman to be vice president. are harrowing. is unacceptable, it is hateful and it has to stop.” The killings horrified the Asian American Over the past year, thousands of cases of “We call upon all Americans to do what Authorities said that they didn’t know if Long community, which saw the shootings as an abuse have been reported to an anti-hate group they can to stop these acts of violence; this ever went to the massage parlors where the attack on them, given a recent wave of as- that tracks incidents against Asian Americans, must end now. Hate crimes and incidents of shootings occurred but that he was planning saults that coincided with the spread of the and hate crimes in general are at the highest bias need to be deplored in all walks of life, to go to Florida in a plot to attack “some type coronavirus across the United States. level in more than a decade. through discussions in our families, schools, of porn industry.” The virus was first identified in China, and “We are heartbroken by these acts of vio- places of employment, houses of worship, “He apparently has an issue, what he consid- then-President Donald Trump and others have lence,” Asian Americans Advancing Justice- and beyond. We cannot continue to tear one ers a sex addiction, and sees these locations as used racially charged terms to describe it. Atlanta said in a statement. “While the details another down for our race, gender, profession, something that allows him to go to these places, The attacks began March 16, when five of the shootings are still emerging, the broader etc. When will enough be enough?” and it’s a temptation for him that he wanted to people were shot at Youngs Asian Massage context cannot be ignored. The shootings Calling the shootings “an unspeakable trag- eliminate,” Cherokee County Sheriff’s Capt. Parlor near Woodstock, about 30 miles north happened under the trauma of increasing edy,” Stop AAPI Hate said, “ … our hearts Jay Baker told reporters. of Atlanta, authorities said. Two people died at violence against Asian Americans nationwide, go out to the loved ones of the victims and to When asked whether somebody could have the scene, and three were taken to a hospital, fueled by white supremacy and systemic the Asian American community in Atlanta,” sexual encounters at the businesses, Bottoms where two died. racism.” and that regardless of whether the killings did not answer, saying she did not want “to About an hour later, police responding to a Police in major cities deplored the killings. were motivated by hate, this incident “ … get into victim blaming, victim shaming here.” call about a robbery found three women dead Seattle’s mayor said “the violence in Atlanta will only exacerbate the fear and pain that She said police have not been to the parlors in from apparent gunshot wounds at Gold Spa, was an act of hate,” and San Francisco police the Asian American community continues to her city beyond a minor potential theft. which is in a strip of tattoo parlors and strip tweeted #StopAsianHate. The New York City endure. There has been a documented pattern Sheriff Frank Reynolds said it was too early clubs in one of the last ungentrified holdouts police counterterrorism unit said it was on alert of recent attacks against our community, as to tell if the attack was racially motivated in an upscale area of Atlanta. Officers then for similar attacks. we have received nearly 3,800 reports of hate — “but the indicators right now are it may learned of a call reporting gunfire across the In Georgia, Crisp County Sheriff Billy Han- incidents across the country since March not be.” Neither he nor Baker clarified their street, at Aromatherapy Spa, and found another cock said in a video on Facebook that his 2020. Not enough has been done to protect statements, and Baker did not return a text woman apparently shot dead. deputies and state troopers were notified that Asian Americans from heightened levels of message seeking more details. President Joe Biden said the FBI briefed a murder suspect out of north Georgia was hate, discrimination and violence. Concrete headed their way. Deputies and troopers set action must be taken now. Anything else is up along the interstate and “made contact with unacceptable.” the suspect,” he said. In a statement, the Japanese American Community Rallies in Little Tokyo A state trooper performed a pursuit interven- National Museum said it “grieves for the tion technique that “caused the vehicle to spin loss of life and condemns the killing in the to Support Asian Americans out of control,” Hancock said. Long was then strongest terms.” Allison De La Cruz (below left) addresses the crowd that was assembled at taken into custody “without incident.” “While this violent crime is still being in- the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo on March 13 at an Rita Barron, manager of a business neigh- vestigated, regardless of the motivation, the event titled “Love Our Communities: Build Collective Power.” The rally was boring the massage parlor targeted in the first deadly shootings add to the already heightened held in response to the increase in incidents of anti-Asian violence. Stop shooting, said security footage of the parking sense of fear in Asian American communities AAPI Hate, a national coalition aimed at addressing anti-Asian discrimina- lot outside the stores showed the gunman had across the country, as anti-Asian hate crimes tion, released new information on March 16 that disclosed there have been been sitting in his car for about an hour, just have soared,” the Museum added. 503 incident reports against Asian Americans since the start of 2021. watching. “We look forward to the outcome of the South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has said House Judiciary Committee panel that will its diplomats in Atlanta have confirmed with examine the crisis on [March 18] when Asian police that four of the victims who died were American leaders will testify about the rise women of Korean descent. It said its consul- in racism and violence, and how to combat ate general in Atlanta is trying to confirm the the attacks,” said JANM President and CEO nationality of the women. Ann Burroughs. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in South Korea meeting with Foreign (This AP story was supplemented with Minister Chung Eui-yong, mentioned the statements from different advocacy

PHOTO: PACIFIC CITIZEN killings during an opening statement. organizations.) 6 March 19-April 8, 2021 IN-DEPTH

The Iwasaki family. (Clockwise from During WWII, the Miyamoto left) Matriarch Misa, brother Naomi, family left the Santa Anita horse father Genichiro and Amy lived in stalls for Parker, Utah. “We barrack 1-9-B in Heart Mountain, Wyo. remained refugees in our own PHOTO: COURTESY OF AMY IWASAKI MASS country, which was poisoned with hate of Japanese,” wrote Nobuko in her HR 40 support letter. She is pictured here in 1944 as a child in suspenders. PHOTO: HARRY HAYASHIDA

In 1973, Miyamoto participated in a demonstra- tion for the Republic of New Africa. PHOTO: NOBUKO MIYA- MOTO COLLECTION Amy Iwasaki Mass, pictured at home in 2017, says a commis- sion to study slavery In 1981, Mass told the government and its legacy can commission the scars from the WWII help educate the incarceration of JAs “are permanent American public. and deep” PHOTO: COURTESY OF VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS PHOTO: DAVID IZU Nobuko Miyamoto is centered FORMER JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII here in 2018 with her family. PHOTO: ZOHAIR INCARCEREES SAY A BILL TO STUDY MOHSEN SLAVERY IS A ‘MORAL OBLIGATION’ Modeled after the Japanese American is longer than in the 1981 video, but Americans today. things is something that you’re pas- it’s still perfectly coifed. “It was good “I found the Commission approach sionate about, then you really need to successful reparations campaign, HR 40 that I spoke, even with my doubts.” for Japanese Americans was a useful be all-in on all of them because we’re Mass’s testimony, along with many way to educate the larger Ameri- not going to really see through justice seeks to create a commission to study other victims’ voices that told per- can public to information they had until we move forward together on sonal stories of pain and loss from been blind to,” she wrote. “I hope all of these issues.” slavery and its legacy. the WWII incarceration, are widely HR 40 can do the same for African The JA redress campaign came Americans.” after the civil rights movement. These By Lynda Lin Grigsby, ally directing a pointed gaze at the credited as being the driving force intersections of history show a need Contributor Congressional representatives. behind the passage of the Civil Liber- Intersections of History ties Act of 1988. for a multiracial coalition of wounded Her voice is even until she tells Former WWII JA incarcerees and The voices of the Nisei — second- ethnic communities to bend the arm hat happened to Japanese the story of a stop in Butte, Mont., their descendants have written 312 generation Japanese Americans — of justice together. Americans during World on her way home to Los Angeles letters to support HR 40, said Lisa made the U.S. government recog- To talk about JA history, one needs War II caused a deep scar from Heart Mountain in Wyoming. Doi, co-chair of Tsuru for Solidarity nize and atone for its betrayal and to talk about how it intersects with the Winvisible to most. In silence it grew Mass’s mother and her friends try to and president of the Chicago JACL provided for JAs a transcendental history of Black America’s fight for and festered, unwittingly handed enter a restaurant, but looks of hatred chapter. moment of truth and reconciliation. equal rights. For Nobuko Miyamoto, down from generation to generation stop them. The Issei ladies do not The letters are heartbreakingly per- The truth was the U.S. govern- the intersection of both communities until it received permission to speak see the “No Japs Allowed” sign in sonal — stories of trauma, dislocation ment unjustly incarcerated 120,000 came through her activism in the its truth. the window, but 10-year-old Mass and even deaths in the WWII camps JAs during WWII in the name of Black Panther Party. “The truth was the government sees it, so she shepherds them away. punctuated with calls of support for national security after Japan bombed “They called me sister,” said Mi- that we trusted, the president we This is where her composure breaks a reparations commission for Black Pearl Harbor. In 1988, the govern- yamoto, 81, about the Black power idealized, the nation to which we during the testimony. She shifts in Americans. ment officially apologized and paid political party she was introduced to pledged our loyalty had betrayed her seat. She clears her throat, then Tsuru for Solidarity, an organiza- reparations to former JA incarcerees. in 1968. “And they welcomed me as us, had turned against us,” said Amy talks about how her feeling of shame tion of JAs and allies working to Without the cloak of silence, the a person of color. They understood Iwasaki Mass in her 1981 testimony overlaps with love of country. Her end immigration detention centers, healing began. about camp, also. And so they saw before the Commission on Wartime voice breaks with emotion, then organized the letter-writing cam- Redress flipped the narrative on us already as an oppressed people.” Relocation and Internment of Civil- regains resolve. paign. Their effort highlights the Japanese Americans as long-suffering Miyamoto was a child during ians, a nine-member government “On the surface, we do not look intersections of social justice issues victims to victors now with what WWII when her familial legacy of body tasked with studying the WWII like former concentration camp vic- and racial histories. many are calling a “moral obliga- trauma was sowed at Santa Anita incarceration of JAs. tims, but we are still vulnerable,” HR 40 would fund a commission to tion” to help others in need of racial Racetrack in Arcadia, Calif. Living Mass, a clinical social worker, she says sounding every bit like a study slavery and discrimination in healing. conditions in horse stalls triggered testified on the devastating effects mental health specialist. “Our scars the U.S. and recommend remedies. In February, Mass wrote a letter eczema, an itchy skin inflammation. on JAs from wartime hysteria and are permanent and deep.” Activists say HR 40 is connected to to her Congressional representative, She scratched until she bled. racism as part of a panel of mental On a crisp February day from her the JA incarceration during WWII. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), calling for Pictures document Miyamoto’s health experts. In video footage of home in Albany, Calif., Mass, 85, “These are all sort of like a multi- support for HR 40, a bill to estab- political awakening and activism. her testimony, she wears a white reflected on her testimony. headed Hydra of things that sort of lish a commission like the CWRIC A black-and-white image shows her suit. She is composed while reading “At some level, it made me ner- come from the same corrupt place,” to study the institution of slavery, stoically demonstrating with a black her prepared statement, occasion- vous,” she said. On Zoom, her hair said Doi, 29. “So if any one of these its legacy and its effects on Black nationalist organization in 1973. IN-DEPTH March 19-April 8, 2021 7

Another shows her in a summer “Part of our healing as Japanese reparations bill. and laws, said HR 40 lead sponsor “Yuri learned from Malcolm X that gathering of activists, singing into a Americans is our support of Black Despite the success of the com- Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), in an our solidarity with other oppressed microphone with shoulders thrown people in their long struggle for mission model, many JA leaders opinion piece for the ACLU. But it peoples is critical to achieving free- back and head held high. equality, justice and now redress disagreed about it being the best was not followed by a commitment dom and human rights for ourselves” Asian America was born out of and reparations,” wrote Miyamoto path to redress. to truth and reconciliation, so racial said Akemi, 49. “Mobilizing the the embers of the Black struggle in her letter of support for HR 40. “Initially, I hated the idea,” said inequalities persisted. Japanese American community na- for equal rights. Miyamoto’s 1973 In the Feb. 17 House Judiciary John Tateishi, then chair of the If HR 40 passes, the commis- tionally would be a powerful act of song “We Are the Children” became Committee hearing on HR 40, Kathy JACL’s National Committee for sion framework established by the solidarity and an important way to the unofficial soundtrack for Asian Masaoka, co-chair of Nikkei for Civil Redress. Community leaders and CWRIC might stay the same, but protect and advocate for the rights of Americans coming together politi- Rights and Redress, called the bill “a groups would bring up the idea of testimonies will look different. The all American citizens in the future.” cally for the first time. The lyrics are necessary first step toward justice.” a commission. Each time, Tateishi institution of slavery started in the There is a school of thought in a triumphant cry of a community’s The bill needs to pass through dismissed it. U.S. more than 400 years ago, so psychotherapy that says each adult newly awakened self-consciousness: committee before it can be debated “I said, ‘Nah, you know, I have no activists say testimonies should be carries an inner child within who and voted on by the full House. interest in that. Commissions are a from everyday Black Americans needs continual love and parenting. We are the children of the Named after the post-Civil War waste of time.’” talking about what it is like to be When trauma occurs in childhood, migrant worker government’s broken promise to But in a January 1979 meeting in Black in America. the inner child may carry the wound distribute “40 acres and a mule” Washington, D.C., with JA members “That sort of shifts some of that until the source is addressed. We are the offspring of the to former slaves, HR 40 was first of Congress — including Spark power in terms of educating a broader If this is true, how many Nisei concentration camp introduced in 1989, one year after Matsunaga, Norman Mineta and American audience into the hands have an inner child still trapped be- Sons and daughters of the JAs won redress. Since then, the bill newly elected Bob Matsui — Daniel of regular Black Americans,” said hind barbed wire? How many Black railroad builder has been reintroduced every year Inouye suggested the commission Doi, a Yonsei. Americans still have an inner child Who leave their stamp on without gaining traction. idea again as a vehicle for public This Is How We Did It shackled by slavery? America. This time, buoyed by high-profile education and a chance for the Nisei Mass says her inner 10-year-old support from the White House, the to tell their own stories. In 2015, the JACL National Youth still carries the hurt from that day legislation is gaining momentum. The decision for the commission Student Council led an effort to pass in Butte, Montana, when her mother Pictures also document Miyamoto’s a resolution in support of HR 40. beautiful multiracial family and show A Commission Almost No One model was controversial, with some tried to enter the restaurant. The looks community members splintering to “It took 42 years from the departure of hatred burned her soul. If given how legacies of trauma can converge Initially Believed In of the last incarceree from the camps through one family. On one side of choose more direct paths to repara- the opportunity to speak to her in- Established in 1980, the CWRIC tions. But Tateishi was on board, in to pass redress in 1988; it’s now been ner child, she would encourage her the family, JAs smile through de- was a bipartisan federal commission 43 years since we got ours — it’s time plorable living conditions in camp. part, because many Americans did younger self to share all her feelings. directed to review the circumstances not know what happened to JAs for them to get theirs,” said David Then the retired clinical social worker On the other, a portrait of a smiling leading up to Executive Order 9066 Inoue, JACL executive director. Mamie Kirkland, a centenarian, who during WWII. would tell her inner child how wrong and its impact on JAs. The nine- In televised nightly news segments Activists say support of HR 40 is a it was to be treated that way. in life fled Ellisville, Miss., to escape member government body held hear- “moral obligation” for JAs who felt lynching. and news articles on the commission The commission to study slavery ings in major U.S. cities to hear hearings, Americans heard about the pain of racism and won the fight and its legacy could function in the Without a national moment to from more than 750 victims of the against the government to prove it. examine injustices inflicted on an stories of pain and loss directly from same way. It could nurture a commu- WWII incarceration. The commis- the Nisei — most for the first time. “What we can offer is a face, and nity’s inner child and acknowledge entire community of people, inter- sion submitted its findings in a 1983 a voice of the one group that’s been generational trauma endures. The A fundamental part in any repa- wrongdoings. report, “Personal Justice Denied,” rations movement is truth-telling. able to achieve what they seek to “I think the value of commission commission hearings can provide which paved the way for the pas- achieve,” said Tateishi. “We are a redemptive pause, activists say. One by one, Nisei revealed their hearings is to learn from African sage of HR 442, the JA redress and invisible scars. that one voice able to say, ‘This is Americans their personal experiences “You cannot get redemption or how we did it.’ And that we believe that we have not had,” said Mass. Nobuko atonement until that truth is spo- in your cause. And so we’re here to “After we are educated, I hope we Miyamoto’s ken. And it can only be spoken by support it.” will learn how we can respond with song “We Are the victims. And it’s a really, really Akemi Kochiyama is certain her policies to help.” n the Children” powerful tool,” said Tateishi, 81, grandmother would encour- became the author of the new book “Redress: age JAs and Asian Ameri- unofficial The Inside Story of the Successful cans to support HR 40. Her Join the HR 40 Educational Forum soundtrack for Campaign for Japanese American grandmother, Yuri Kochi- Asian Americans Reparations.” yama, who died in 2014, March 24, 5 p.m. PST The civil rights movement suc- was a lifelong activist and coming together The forum seeks to educate the public cessfully challenged racist practices famous ally of Malcolm X. politically for about HR 40 and Japanese American the first time. redress history. The free virtual event She is pictured will be co-hosted by ACLU and the here singing National African American Reparations at a summer Commission with Tsuru for Solidarity gathering of and ACLU of Washington. activists in 1972. For the most updated information and PHOTO: MIKE MURASE link to the forum, visit tsuruforsolidarity. org/hr-40/.

This is the room where it happened in 1979 when Sen. Daniel Inouye suggested establishing a commission to allow the Nisei to testify about their WWII experiences. Seated (from left) are Sen. Spark Matsunaga, Inouye, Rep. Bob Matsui and Rep. Norman Mineta. Standing (from left) are Karl Nobuyuki, JACL national director; Ron Mamiya, Seattle JACL; Dr. Clifford Uyeda, JACL national president; Ron Ikejiri, JACL Washington John Tateishi writes about the Tsuru for Solidarity Co-Chair Satsuki Ina raises representative; and John Tateishi, JACL chair of the National successful JA redress and repara- a fist in support of Black Lives Matter in Committee for Redress. tions campaign in his new book. San Francisco during a 2020 rally. PHOTO: JAMI SMITH 8 March 19-April 8, 2021 IN-DEPTH

Theodore Seuss Geisel drew many anti-Japanese cartoons during the course of World War II.

REDEMPTION FOR “The Butter Battle Book” powerful emotions. On a personal note, though I agree with the dis- continuation of these six titles, I share a lot of the feelings expressed by those on the opposing side of DR. SEUSS? the issue. I have the same fond As six of the author’s early titles are retired from memories of Dr. Seuss books as a young reader. I can still recite the publication, the debate continues as to whether it was tweetle beetle battle verse from “Fox in Sox,” and it brings a smile over a sense of moral obligation or motivated by profit. ing there has been at least some measure of to my face even as I write this. accountability for the harmful portrayals in But I also remember my disappointment his early works. and feeling of betrayal when I first learned By Rob Buscher, This strategy was doubly effective in incens- Contributor that Geisel drew a political cartoon titled “The ing conservatives, who see Dr. Seuss as the Fifth Column,” in which he depicted Japanese latest victim to cancel culture and are scram- Americans on the West Coast lining up to pick ver the past couple weeks since the bling to purchase whatever remaining stock of estate of children’s author Theodore up bundles of dynamite, implying that Japanese these titles exist in the publisher’s warehouse. Americans were actively plotting sabotage in Seuss Geisel announced it would be Publishers take books out of print all the time Oretiring six of his early titles from publication, the wake of Pearl Harbor. with little fanfare, but the fact that the Geisel the media has been awash with opinion pieces As JACL Executive Director David Inoue estate issued a press release suggests it was noted in his column in the last issue of the on the subject. actively soliciting press coverage. Conservative pundits are making frenzied Pacific Citizen (March 5-18, 2021, issue), this Although it might have done so to predict a was but one of many anti-Japanese cartoons claims about “cancel culture” in a decidedly spike in sales, the Geisel estate probably did Trump-esque fashion that obscures the pub- that Geisel drew during World War II. not envision the extent of the furor that this Of course, we were at war with Japan at lisher’s choice in the matter. Meanwhile, some move would cause among many in the far elements on the left are parent-shaming those the time, and Geisel was a man of his times. right who see this as tantamount to censorship. Almost every major cartoonist during this era who are not “woke enough” to stop reading As a result, prices of some early print edi- Dr. Seuss to their kids. It seems both sides of made anti-Japanese propaganda. What stands tions of the six titles have been driven up to out about this piece in particular though, is that the debate are missing a key point. $500 or higher by various online resellers. By choosing of their own volition to with- he is deliberately suggesting that the Japanese How many people are actually willing to pay American community should be viewed as a draw these titles at this moment in our national these exorbitant prices is another question discourse around racial equity — the Geisel military threat. entirely, but the lengths to which people are Biased media coverage greatly contributed estate is essentially saving his reputation so going to obtain the so-called banned books that his largely apolitical work can be admired to the wartime hysteria and blatant racism that borders on absurdity. scapegoated our Japanese American community by future generations of young readers. One surprising anecdote to this effect came At face value, this is an admirable move for the actions of Imperial Japan. from a student of mine who works as a librarian. One man’s political cartoons can’t be blamed worthy of the celebrated children’s author’s According to her, because of the prevalence legacy, but one has to wonder how much of for all that, but they certainly contributed to the of book thefts on these six titles, many public climate of distrust that ultimately led to fear the decision is driven by profit? libraries have been forced to place the books In voluntarily removing these six titles from and hatred of the Japanese American people into restricted holdings collections and are no and justification for our wartime incarceration. publication, the Geisel estate pre-emptively longer allowed to be taken outside of the library. addressed any attempts to “cancel” Dr. Seuss. I know some among the elder generations of The assumption is that some of these book Japanese Americans who actually never read One would have to imagine that this was made thieves are then selling them on the internet. primarily as a business decision by the estate, or bought any Dr. Seuss books for their kids Despite claims from some conservative pundits or grandkids for that very reason. who could have easily predicted the possible that the “radical left” are banning books, it is outcome of mass outrage by certain progres- Still, I remember how much I loved reading effectively these same individuals who are Dr. Seuss books as a child. With his creative sive elements in our society having a negative inciting people to steal public property, and in impact on future sales. use of rhymes, I learned things about language turn, this has resulted in the additional restric- that made reading fun for the first time. I can’t Discontinuing these titles opens the way tions on how these books can be accessed. for progressives to continue purchasing Dr. name another author that had the same impact Undoubtedly, the coverage on both sides on me as a young reader. As I think back on Seuss books with a clear conscience, know- of the political spectrum has been colored by IN-DEPTH March 19-April 8, 2021 9

the times he lived through. I have a young son of my own now, who, like me, is also a mixed-race Japanese American. Our family history in this country is intimately connected with the pervasive anti-Japanese racism that existed before, during and after WWII. Will I still read “Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” to him? Absolutely. When he gets a little older will I also explain the problematic nature of Geisel’s wartime political cartoons? You betcha. Geisel was a man of his times. He made the choices he did based on the discourse in his society, which was decidedly anti-Japanese in the period when he was producing works with negative stereotypes of Japanese Americans. “Be careful! Oh, gee! I don’t think that absolves him from re- Who’s going to drop it? sponsibility over the impact of his work, but Will you . . .? Or will he . . .?” ultimately, I believe he learned from his past “Be patient,” said Grandpa. mistakes and went on to write more progres- my early childhood reading days, one memory career, this book was released when he was “We’ll see. We will see . . .” sive works throughout the rest of his career. in particular stands out. 80 years old in 1984 amidst the Cold War The book ends without resolution, indicat- Although Theodore Geisel never outright It was the summer of 1995, and my mother saber-rattling between U.S. and Soviet Union ing perhaps neither or both decided to drop apologized for his wartime activities, he did was about to travel to Japan as a chaperone for as they engaged in a fourth decade of their the bomb. Ironically, at the time of its release, acknowledge the problematic nature of his an American high school that was participating global arms race. “The Butter Battle Book” was lambasted by portrayal of a Chinese man in one of the now- in the Students’ International Peace Conference The book is essentially a parable about mutu- Reagan-era conservatives who thought the discontinued books, “And to Think That I Saw held at Hiroshima Jogakuin, to commemorate ally assured destruction in which two warring pacifist message was too soft on the Soviets. It on Mulberry Street.” the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. peoples called the Yooks and the Zooks build While I may have been too young to appreci- In an interview excerpted from his 1995 The conference held special meaning for increasingly ridiculous weapons because they ate the finer points of this story at that time, biography, Geisel stated, “I had a gentleman my mother since her grandmother, Asako cannot agree whether to butter their toast on reading “The Butter Battle Book” helped me with a pigtail. I colored him yellow and called Marumoto, had attended Hiroshima Jogakuin the topside or bottom. understand how people could be so blinded him a Chinaman. That’s the way things were as an adolescent, before marrying my great- Aside from the general pacifist messaging that by hate that they would commit unimaginable 50 years ago. In later editions, I refer to him grandfather and immigrating to California. is consistent with Geisel’s other books written acts of savagery. as a Chinese man. I have taken the color out of In the months leading up to the conference, during the postwar era, there are several key Geisel’s not-so-subtle references to the atomic the gentleman and removed the pigtail.” my sister and I attended many of the pretravel passages that evoke memories of the atomic bomb also made me feel like he shared my Restorative justice is a key tenet of many classes with my mom, where they taught the bombs. The first reference comes when the belief that the bombings of Hiroshima and social justice movements. So, too, is the belief high school students some basic Japanese Yook soldier learns of the final weapon. Nagasaki should never have happened. that our actions will ultimately lead to a pro- phrases, cultural etiquette and Japanese history. “This machine was so modern, so frightfully Although I acknowledge that this story is gressive change in our society. Although I may I was 7, almost 8 years old at that time, and new, no one knew quite exactly just what it not specifically about the Japanese or Japanese be a minority opinion in progressive circles on while I spent most of those classes distracted would do!” American experiences during WWII, I feel this topic, I believe it would be hypocritical to by my Game Boy, I absorbed a consider- Like some of the scientists working on it is indicative of a transformative change in outright condemn an author who clearly grew able amount of the content that was being the Manhattan Project, the Yook scientific his outlook. as a person throughout his long life. discussed there. community were eager to see the destructive I do not share this story to suggest that That being said, I do take issue with com- I don’t recall the specific moment when I capability of their weapon in action. A later Dr. Seuss be let off the hook for his wartime panies profiting from these relics of our racist learned about the atomic bombing of Hiro- quote indirectly references the codenames of propaganda, nor numerous other examples of past and applaud individual artists and cultural shima or that my hibaachan (as we called the atomic bombs used against Japan. racism found in his earlier political cartoons and organizations who are willing to make the tough decisions to acknowledge the hurt their my great-grandma who was still living at “You just run to the six books that have been past works have caused. that time) had lost several of her cousins in wall like a nice little recently discontinued. I Where I am less certain is whether the the Aug. 6 bombing, but I do remember that man. do, however, think it is Geisel estate’s decision to eliminate these summer as the first time I was really aware Drop this bomb on the important we put into outdated and offensive portrayals from the of the atrocities that took place during the last Zooks just as fast as context the full story of Dr. Seuss canon was based on its sense of days of the war. you can. this man’s work against moral obligation or motivated by profit. n As a kid, trying to make sense of why the I have ordered all the political backdrop of country of my birth held such animosity toward Yooks to stay safe the country of my ancestors was difficult, underground though a trifle compared to the experiences of While the Bitsy Big- the Nisei children who learned firsthand about Boy Boomeroo is anti-Japanese racism during their wartime around.” incarceration — or worse yet the children who lived through the last days of the war in Little Boy was code for Japan. Thinking back on it now, even I was the bomb dropped Aug. 6, surprised to realize that Dr. Seuss helped me 1945, on Hiroshima, while to process this information. Fat Man was the bomb used At some point that summer, I remember ac- three days later against companying my mother to a doctor’s office so Nagasaki on Aug. 9 . The she could get some inoculations prior to her similarity to the wording departure to Japan. My Game Boy ran out of of the previous verse was batteries, so I was stuck thumbing through the apparent even to 7-year-old stack of children’s books in the waiting room. me. In the final verse of By then, I had been reading Dr. Seuss for as the book, the Yook soldier who spent his life long as I could remember and pushed the many fighting the enemy stood face-to-face with a titles I was familiar with aside, uninterested. Zook soldier holding the same weapon. His Then I came upon a book of his that I had never grandson offers a final worried plea. seen before titled “The Butter Battle Book.” “Grandpa!” I shouted. Written during the late stage of Geisel’s 10 March 19-April 8, 2021 CALENDAR A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS Japanese American National Museum the complicated history, cul- of Japan’s Nen Daiko and the Virtual Program ture, industry, psychology and Hon. Norman Mineta. The event Price: Free for Members; politics of beauty from the Asian will also include breakout ses- $10 Nonmembers American perspective. Personal sions and discussions around The new graphic novel “We Here- stories, reflections, art and ar- various main topics such as the CALENDAR by Refuse: Japanese American tifacts representing a diversity Memorial and 9/11, the Memorial DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY Northern California Cherry Blossom Resistance to Wartime Incarcera- of identities and experiences and JAVA, HR 40, the Memorial Festival tion” presents an original vision all showcase the ideas of what and Tsuru for Solidarity and the CONCERNS IN THE U.S. San Francisco, CA of America’s past with disturbing beauty truly means. Memorial and NJAMF. Info: Visit wingluke.org. All visitors Info: To register, visit https://apiavote- BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 April 10-11 and April 17-18 links to the American present. Virtual Edition Authors Frank Abe and Tamiko are required to sign a Coronavirus/ org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIs- PANDEMIC, PLEASE CHECK Price: Free Nimura will read from the graphic Covid-19 waiver of liability. Health deitqDgsE90Po0sPNdFZRvqXGUZF- One of California’s most promi- novel. Artist Ross Ishikawa will and safety protocols are in place. fyye. REGARDING THE STATUS OF nent celebrations of Asian tra- share his use of 3-D modeling Check the museum for exact hours of operation. Kimono In Print: 300 Years of EVENTS LISTED IN THIS ISSUE’S ditions and the biggest on the to re-create scenes from Japa- West Coast. Since 1968, this nese American history, and YURI Japanese Design CALENDAR SECTION. event showcases the cultural Education Project creators will Worcester, MA alliance between Japan and the demonstrate a free online cur- Thru May 2 U.S. and celebrates Japanese riculum that accompanies the IDC Worcester Art Museum and Japanese American culture book. 55 Salisbury St. NATIONAL in San Francisco’s Japantown. Info: Visit www.janm.org for more How to Talk About What Matters: Anti- Price: Museum Admission Annual JACL National Convention Info: Visit sfcherryblossom.org for information. Asian Racism in the Time of Covid This is the museum’s first exhibit July 15-18 more information. Boulder, CO devoted to examining the kimono Virtual Event Alzheimer’s Conference April 7; 5-6:15 p.m. MDT as a major source of inspiration Join JACL at its annual conven- ‘The Betrayed’ Benefit Screening Los Angeles, CA University of Colorado Boulder and experimentation in Japanese tion, which will be held virtually and Discussion May 1; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Virtual Programming Event print culture from the Edo period featuring a National Council meet- Watsonville, CA Virtual Conference Price: Free (1603-1868) to the Meiji Period ing as well as breakout sessions May 22; 1-3 p.m. Price: Free Join the Center for Inclusion and (1868-1912). and more! Be sure to visit JACL’s Virtual Event Benefit Screening for Join Keiro as it co-hosts along- Social Change for its virtual, in- Info: Visit https://www. website for complete convention Watsonville Buddhist Temple side Alzheimer’s Los Angeles teractive dialogue program that worcesterart.org/exhibitions/ information and announcements Price: $25 Per Person or $50 Per for this conference event that will address issues that matter, kimono-in-print/. as they become available. Household (Includes Play Screening will be provided in both English particularly anti-Asian racism, Info: Visit www.jacl.org. and Discussion) and Japanese to educate the which has been steadily on the Japan Society of Boston Free “Betrayed,” a two-act play by community on Alzheimer’s dis- rise since the onset of the coro- Online Resources Hiroshi Kashiwagi about a young ease and its related disorders, navirus pandemic. Don’t miss this Boston, MA Nisei couple who meet at Tule as well as discuss research and thought-provoking discussion. Virtual classes and information NCWNP Lake and fall in love, only to be treatment options, caregiving Info: To register for the event, Price: Free NCWNP Gala Recognition Event torn apart by two controversial support and a virtual research visit https://www.colorado.edu/ The Japan Society of Boston is ‘Remembering the Past — “loyalty” questions during World fair. Featured speakers include isss/2021/02/05/apr-7-how-talk- offering free online resources Motivating the Present’ War II, will feature Helen Ota Dr. Joshua Chodosh, Dr. Helena about-what-matters-anti-asian- featuring Japanese language Northern California and Michael Palma. Following Chang Chui, Sara Lenz Lock and racism-time-covid. learning tools, Japanese cook- March 27; 2 p.m. PDT the play, a discussion will be Dr. Debra Cherry. ing, origami, arts and lectures. Virtual Event held featuring Satsuki Ina, Soji Info: Visit Keiro.org/alzheimers- Info: Visit https://japansociety Price: Free registration Kashiwagi and cast members conference for more information. EDC boston.wildapricot.org. n Join the NCWNP District as it cel- Ota and Palma. ebrates and recognizes awardees Info: Tickets are available at Event- 23rd Annual and First Virtual and recognizes the importance of brite.com: Search “The Betrayed.” Freedom Walk: Spotlighting Our JA incarceration history educa- For additional information, email Significance ADVERTISE HERE [email protected]. PNW Washington, D.C. tion. Chapter Daruma honorees Events in the calendar section ‘Where Beauty Lies’ Exhibit March 27; 3 p.m. EDT include Kathy Aoki, Dick Sasaki, are listed based on space Hugh Metcalf, Marie Sugiyama Seattle, WA Virtual Event availability. Place a ‘Spotlight’ (posthumous), May Saiki and Jean PSW Thru Sept 19 Price: Free ad with photos of your event Yamashita. This year’s District Wing Luke Asian Museum This event will highlight the impor- for maximum exposure. ‘We Hereby Refuse’ With Frank Abe, 719 S. King St. tance of the National Japanese Award of Excellence is NCTOR FOR MORE INFO Tamiko Nimura and Ross Ishikawa Price: Museum Admission Fees : Committee (No. California Time American Memorial to Patriotism [email protected] Los Angeles, CA of Remembrance). What defines beauty? The mu- During World War II. The formal (213) 620-1767 Info: To register, visit https://charity. April 24; 2-3:30 p.m. seum’s latest exhibit examines program will feature the Embassy gofundme.com/o/en/ticketing/16470/ order?lang=en-us.

Takaramono Vintage Auction Fundraiser San Jose, CA April 10-19 Japanese American Museum of San Jose Online Event JAMsj is excited to offer its sec- ond Takaramono Vintage Auction Fundraiser. There are more than 200 items that will be available during the auction event. All proceeds will help JAMsj with operational costs and virtual pro- gramming during the shut down. Info: Visit jamsj.org. OBITUARIES March 19-April 8, 2021 11

5 nieces and other relatives. Tanaka, Kumiko, 80, San Francisco, CA, May 24, 2020. Ogasawara, Roy, 87, Norridge, IL, July 19, 2020; he was predeceased Tsuboi, Frank Akira, 97, Seattle, WA, by his siblings, Terry Kumagai, Bill Dec. 8, 2020; he was predeceased by Ogasawara, Yuriko Ogata, Steve his wife, Dorothy, and siblings, Hideko Ogasawara and Mary Muramoto; he Shimomura, Louise Kashino-Takisaki, is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Henry Tsuboi, Roy Tsuboi and Esther sisters, Alice Yamada and Mabel Hashimoto, Ted, 98, Monterey Minakami, Joan (Rod) Ka’alekahi and Lance, Lee Ann (Tom) Benedict and Tsuboi; he is survived by his children, Minami; gc: 10; ggc: 11. Park, CA, June 22, 2020; he was Jill (Craig) Kirihara; siblings, Harry, Scott; gc: 2. Carmen Tsuboi Chan (Paul), Frank L., predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Theodore, and Alice Minakami; gc: 8. Don (Marilyn), Normalea and Tony: Kaneshiro, Teruko ‘Terry,’ 89, Hal- S. Hashimoto, and ex-wife, Harriet Okajima, Rosie, 94, Fresno, CA, July gc: 3; ggc: 1. awa, HI, May 11; she is survived by Benson-Hashimoto; he is survived by Miyasato, Melva Kameko, 88, 16, 2020; during WWII, her family and her children, Sally Kaneshiro, Jan his children, Kenneth M. Hashimoto Waipio, HI, June 18, 2020; she was she were incarcerated at the Jerome Yamaguchi-Chang, Lynn Eiko, 75, Kaneshiro, Dennis (Evelyn) Kaneshiro and Teresa M. (Ken) Hashimoto- predeceased by her life companion, WRA Center in AR; she is survived Waipahu, HI, July 10, 2020; she is and Charles (Dale) Kaneshiro; broth- Nakatani; sister, Dorothy H. (John) Ilai Jennings; siblings, Merle Kishi and by her children, Gayle (Nicholas) survived by her husband, Michael; ers, Yoshiyuki Sugata, Kakumi (Anna) Akiyama; gc: 2. Edward Miyasato; she is survived by Smirnov, Marlene (Mike) Garcia and daughter, Erin (Earl); gc: 1; ggc: 2. Sugata and Susumu (Adeline) Sugata; her siblings, Grover (Dora) Miyasato Ken (Linda); gc: 3; ggc: 2. sister-in-law, Alyce Toshiko Yamagu- Hino, Itsue Higashi, 100, Ahualoa, and Hannah (Ray) Hamamura; she Yamato, Kimiko, 76, Monterey Park, chi; gc: 8; ggc: 4. HI, May 22, 2020; she is survived is also survived by nieces, nephews, Okamoto, Aaron, 104, Sacramento, CA, July 21, 2020; she is survived by by her daughters, Leilani Hino and grandnieces and grandnephews. CA, April 30, 2020; he is survived her daughter, Stacy (Tom) Jasmin; sis- Kanno, Rachel Miyoko, 97, Tor- Jan Hino; gc: 2; ggc: 1. by his wife, Haruye; children, Calvin ter, Masako (Paul) Linder; 1 nephew; rance, CA, April 27, 2020; she was Nakamura, Robert Fumiaki, 95, (Judi), Joanne, Suzanne, Ronald 2 grandnephews; she is also survived predeceased by her husband, Robert; Hirozawa, Betty Fumiko, 90, Ho- Honolulu, HI, March 6, 2020; he is (Starlene) and Dianne (Stan); gc: by other relatives and friends. n she is survived by her brother, Roy nolulu, HI, March 23, 2020; she was survived by his wife, Lillian; children, 3; ggc: 2. predeceased by her husband, Shu- Hanzawa; she is also survived by Ross (Yumiko), Barry (Carolyn), Robin many nieces and nephews. rei; she is survived by her children, (Ken) and Bruce (Katie); gc: 9. Ozawa, Eleanor, 86, Torrance, CA, Gail, Joan (Jerry) Fujita and Robert PLACE A TRIBUTE June 18, 2020; during WWII, her ‘In Memoriam’ is a free (Yukiko) Hirozawa; gc: 4. Kasuyama, Jean S., 84, Torrance, Nakatsukasa, Aiko, 91, Silverado family and she were incarcerated at listing that appears on a CA, June 16, 2020; she is survived by Beach Cities, CA, July 15, 2020; she the Gila River WRA Center in AZ; she limited, space-available basis. her son, Curtis (Lianne) Kasuyama; Ikeda, Gunji Raymond, 83, Gardena, was predeceased by her husband, was predeceased by her husband, Tributes honor your loved ones sister, Barbara (John) Wilcox; gc: 2. CA, June 25, 2020; he is survived by Tom; she is survived by her children, Paul, and son, Mark (Linda); she is with text and photos and appear in his wife, Amy; siblings, Nancy Wong Todd (Cyd), Roy (Susan) and Grace; survived by her sons, Mitchell (Ann), a timely manner at the rate of $20/ Matsuno, June, 85, Monterey Park, and George Ikeda; gc: 1; ggc: 1. gc: 4. Marshall (Patricia Bigler) and Matthew column inch. CA, Sept. 22, 2020; she was prede- (Mari); siblings, Lindbergh (Yone), Imamura, Atsuko, 92, Los Angeles, ceased by her son, Randy; she is sur- Nakayama, Miki, 91, Torrance, CA, CONTACT: Herbert (Helen, D.) and Evelyn (Ray [email protected] or CA, June 20, 2020; she was prede- vived by her husband, Takatow “Sam” May 8, 2020; she is survived by her Chikahisa); gc: 10. call (213) 620-1767 ext. 104 ceased by her husband, Arthur Yuichi Matsuno; children, Anthony “Tony” son, Parry Nakayama; 4 nephews, Imamura; she is survived by her son, Matsuno, Karen (Dean) Petersen Kenneth (Mieko); gc: 1. and Laurie “Lo” (Walter) Tayenaka; gc: 4; ggc: 3. Imoto, Mary Mieko, 95, Monterey Park, CA, June 3, 2020; she was Minakami, George Masaharu predeceased by her husband, Yo- ‘Masa,’ ‘Blackie,’ 88, Pearl City, HI, shio, and son, Gary Nobuo; she is June 20, 2020; he was predeceased Section 8 Waiting List Opening survived by her children, Katsumi by his siblings, Walter Minakami, (Kiyoko) Imoto, Ken (Akiyo) Imoto, Herbert Minakami, Ellen Migita and Eddie (Emi) Imoto, Jeanne (Rev. grandson, Chase Kirihara; he is sur- Kenjun) Kawawata, Miyoko (Mickey) vived by his wife, Yuriko; children, Plummer Village Senior Community located in North Hills, CA Okamoto and Randy (Tamara) Imoto; Scott (Kim), Guy (Carolyn Tanoue) is accepting applications for our affordable TRIBUTE 1-bedroom apartment homes.

ALVIN HAYASHI Applicants must be 62 years or older. Applications may be requested by calling, writing or stopping by. Alvin Kiyomi Hayashi of Fresno, Calif., passed in peace on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at 72 years of age. Al was the first of four children born to the late Masao and Hanako Hayashi. He graduated from Central High, CSU Fresno, UCSF School Plummer Village of Dentistry and University of Minnesota Department of Endodontics. Al 15450 Plummer Street practiced Endodontics and proudly served the Fresno community for over 40 years. He shared a love of golfing at Copper River Country Club, driving North Hills, CA 91343 fast cars, enjoying fine wines, and caring for his chocolate lab Ranger. He will be forever remembered by his wife, Rosemary; daughter and (818) 891-0646 TTY (510)238-3254 son-in-law, Kimberly and Joshua Grossman; brother, Michael (Alene) Hayashi; sister, Jeanne (Harold) Soeda; nephews, Koby and Ty; niece, Jennifer; and extended family and dear friends. Hours of operation are His family is arranging a private service. Memorial donations in memory of Al can be made to UCSF Foundation’s School of Dentistry or Fresno Monday through Friday between 9:00am—5:00pm Buddhist Temple’s Scholarship Fund. All applicants must meet program guidelines 12 March 19-April 8, 2021 COMMENTARY

are ways to address the health of through a pandemic, there are evi- “Covid-19 and Brain Health: The R E I M A G I N E their brain during the pandemic and dence-based steps anyone can take to Global Council on Brain Health’s address some of the negative effects help protect brain health. The GCBH Recommendations on What to Do EVERYTHING of the isolation that many people are recommends that people: Now,” visit www.aarp.org/health/ experiencing.” • Consider getting the vaccine as brain-health/global-council-on- The report also reviews specific soon as you are able. brain-health/covid/. Previous re- neurological symptoms, which can • Stay physically active. ports from the GCBH on exercise, include delirium, a sudden change • Maintain a balanced diet. nutrition, sleep and other modifiable NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS in thinking and behavior. One study • Stay socially connected. lifestyle factors that can help your found that 37 percent of older adults • Maintain a regular sleep schedule. brain at any age are available at coming to emergency rooms with Co- • Stimulate your brain. www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/ THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 vid-19 had signs of delirium, but no • Don’t put off necessary medical global-council-on-brain-health/ other common Covid-19 symptoms. appointments. resource-library/. ON BRAIN HEALTH The GCBH says the pandemic has • Take care of your taken a widespread toll on mental mental health. well-being, which ultimately impacts • Pay attention to signs By Ron Mori the direct and indirect impacts of brain health. Heightened health risks, of sudden confusion. Covid on brain health and mental uncertainty, reduced social engage- • Monitor changes in PROTECT YOUR new Global Council on Brain well-being.” ment, new routines and economic COVID: BRAIN, TOO. your brain health. The coronavirus can directly harm the Health report warns that, The GCBH report explores both hardship all loom large during this brain as well as mental well-being. in addition to Covid-19’s the direct and indirect ways Covid-19 pandemic and can trigger or amplify The pandemic has high- Take steps to safeguard your brain health: lighted health dispari- widely known respiratory effects, can undermine brain health — from feelings of stress. Consider getting the vaccine Don’t delay necessary A as soon as possible medical appointments ties and long-standing The health risks of COVID Maintain routine check-ups the virus can also damage brain causing neurological symptoms to The report further notes a signifi- increase with age. Keep for ongoing health conditions. inequalities that can wearing masks, physical health. Experts note the need for exacting a toll on people’s mental cant and negative impact on people distance, and wash hands. Take care of your affect brain health and mental health more research and recommend well-being, especially those living living with dementia. In the United Watch out for signs of Make time to relax and unwind; confusion and ‘brain fog’ spend time outdoors in nature. 10 ways to protect brain health. with dementia and their caregivers. States, deaths attributed to Alzheim- mental well-being. Sudden changes in mental Seek help if you are struggling health or behavior should be to cope. reported to a medical provider. “While we know the risks for se- “Even though there is much still er’s disease and dementia rose more The GCBH report calls Eat healthy, exercise Stimulate your brain Nourish your body and vere illness from Covid-19 increases to be learned about how Covid-19 than 20 percent above normal during for governments to better Exercise your mind brain with good nutrition and through activities you enjoy regular physical activity. like reading or music – try with age, there is so much we still affects our thinking, the GCBH the summer of 2020, according to support their citizens who something new! Maintain a normal sleep schedule the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Stay socially connected don’t know about the long-term ef- wanted everyone to know this is a are at increased risk of the Getting 7-8 hours of Find ways to connect restful sleep is essential for with family and friends, fects of Covid-19 infection on our well-recognized problem,” said Dr. and Prevention. your brain health. direct and indirect harms safely and virtually. brains,” said Sarah Lenz Lock, AARP Marilyn Albert, GCBH chair and It is still unknown whether the of Covid-19, including COVID-19 and Brain Health: The Global Council on Brain Health's Recommendations on What to Do Now senior vp for policy and executive professor of neurology and director virus caused the additional deaths older adults and racial GlobalCouncilonBrainHealth.org • Contact: [email protected] For more brain health tips see StayingSharp.org director of the GCBH. “Moving of the division on cognitive neurosci- or whether dementia accounted for and ethnic minorities. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00104.002 forward, it is vitally important to ence at Johns Hopkins University. an increase in Covid-19 infections. To download a copy of invest in research that examines “We want to emphasize that there Despite the challenges of living PHOTO: AARP

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