THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL May 22-June 4, 2020

celebrating 9 1 y e a r s

» PAGE 6 AN UNEXPECTED HOMECOMING » PAGE 2 San Jose Holds a Virtual Evacuated from Comoros, one Pilgrimage to Manzanar Peace Corps volunteer returns to in Light of COVID-19. life in a very different America. » PAGE 8 Tod Mikuriya: The JA Kako Yamada joined in on a spontaneous dance circle to celebrate her finish at the International Women’s Day 5K. She didn’t imagine that her plans to run again in next year’s race would be canceled by the global evacuation. Many plans and dreams were shattered Father of the Medical when she was forced to return to the U.S. as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KAKO YAMADA Marijuana Movement

#3365 / VOL. 170, No. 9 ISSN: 0030-8579 WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG 2 May 22-June 4, 2020 NATIONAL/COMMUNITY

JACL’S INOUE URGES JUDGE TO FREE DETAINED FAMILIES HOW TO REACH US Email: [email protected] By JACL National Family Residential Centers on an and ALDEA-The People’s Justice repeated incidences of contagious Online: www.pacificcitizen.org emergency basis due to the imminent Center who have filed theO.M.G. v. diseases, separation of families and Tel: (213) 620-1767 n a statement streamed via risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.” Wolf case in the U.S. District Court were forced to sign a double-binding Mail: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 Facebok Live, JACL Executive Los Angeles, CA 90012 Inoue, who was wearing a mask to for the District of Columbia seeking questionnaire to determine who might Director David Inoue called on cover his nose and mouth and holding to release all families being held in or might not be released. We are STAFF IJudge James Boasberg on May 20 to Executive Editor more than 500 strung-together the Family Residential Centers on shocked and disheartened to hear that release “all families being held in the Allison Haramoto origami cranes, read the statement on an emergency basis due to the im- our mass incarceration, later deemed Senior Editor behalf of Tsuru for Solidarity in front minent risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. a violation of our constitutional and Digital & Social Media George Johnston of the John Marshall statue near the All three family detention facilities, human rights, is being repeated again. Business Manager E. Barrett Prettyman United States Berks, Karnes and Dilley, have failed “We urge Judge James Boasberg Susan Yokoyama Courthouse in Washington, D.C. to take adequate measures to protect who will be hearing the case today Production Artist Inoue’s statement follows. detained families from COVID-19, to affirm the lessons learned from Marie Samonte “I am here today representing and there is no justification for risk- the historic tragedy of the Japanese Circulation Tsuru for Solidarity, a direct action ing these families’ health and safety. American mass incarceration Eva Ting project of Japanese American social “We are appalled by the recently experience and release all families The Pacific Citizen newspaper justice advocates working to end implemented efforts by ICE to being held in the Family Residential (ISSN: 0030-8579) is published semi- detention sites and support front-line bypass requirements of the Flores Centers due to imminent risk of a monthly (except once in December and January) by the Japanese Ameri- immigrant and refugee communities Settlement and other health and COVID-19 outbreak. It is the just can Citizens League, Pacific Citizen, that are being targeted by racist, safety requirements by imposing and humane decision to make.” 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 inhumane immigration policies. a questionnaire to be signed by Following the formal statement, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA We stand on the moral authority of detained parents, to be detained Inoue noted how the present-day POSTMASTER: Send address chang- Japanese Americans who suffered indefinitely with their child, or agree incarceration can traumatize those es to National JACL, 1765 Sutter St., JACL Executive Director great injustices in U.S. concentration to have their child be separated from people and their families not just San Francisco, CA 94115 David Inoue urges Judge camps during World War II. them and transferred to a ‘sponsor.’ now but also for future generations JACL President: Jeffrey Moy James Boasberg to release “We are here today in support of “Over 78 years ago, 120,000 as well. Executive Director: David Inoue detained families for health the Refugee and Immigrant Center Japanese Americans were unjustly The video of Inoue reading the P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD and humanitarian reasons. for Education and Legal Services detained and incarcerated under statement can be viewed at tinyurl. Rob Buscher, chairperson; Ron Kura- moto, MDC; Danielle Pierce, EDC; PHOTO: JACL (RAICES), Rapid Defense Network mass living conditions. We suffered com/ycwhd5qn. Marcia Chung, CCDC; Nancy Ukai, NCWNPDC; Sheldon Arakaki, PNWDC; Kayla Watanabe, IDC; John Saito Jr., SAN JOSE JACL SPONSORS A VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE TO MANZANAR PSWDC; Juli Yoshinaga, Youth Rep. By Madison Tamaichi chapter’s Manzanar committee knew including small group discussions six-hour event. Subscribe it had to get creative. that consisted of conversations with Kicking off the program was an art Get a one-year subscription of the hange. It’s inevitable. As Pacific Citizen newspaper at: The chapter decided on a virtual people of different backgrounds to exhibit and a virtual reality tour of www.pacificcitizen.org or call Americans enter into the tour for April 25 when its members talk about topics that are relevant to Manzanar by Hashmoud and Thiel. (213) 620-1767 second month of sheltering- found out that Tamiko Thiel and today, as well as to share histories The program also included poetry by Advertise Cin-place orders, people have learned Zara Hashmoud, creators of the — something that could not be left Sojin Takei, pictures from World War To advertise in the Pacific Citi- how to adapt to this “new normal.” “Beyond Manzanar” virtual exhibit, out because the conversations are II featuring Thiel’s family, as well zen, call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail: Although it seems like a bleak time, were interested in joining the event. always rich and full of different view- as a walk through an Iranian garden. [email protected] it’s also a space for creativity and in- Ideas started to flow, former in- points. The San Jose JACL decided The presentation, both beautiful LEGAL novation, an opportunity for growth, carcerees agreed to participate in a to separate the speakers and group and haunting, demonstrated the par- No part of this publication may be a chance to learn a new skill, recon- Q & A panel, leaders of the redress discussions with a webinar series allels between the Iranian Hostage reproduced without the express per- nect with old friends or take some mission of the Pacific Citizen. movement committed to talk about and smaller Zoom groups, thereby Crisis and the mass incarceration of Editorials, letters, news and the opin- time for reflection. the fight for redress and repara- allowing the chapter to extend its Japanese Americans. It was a power- ions expressed by columnists other At the San Jose JACL, innovation tions and a trainer from the Coun- program beyond its Silicon Valley ful analogy that set the tone for the than the national JACL president or would prove to be necessary for the cil of American Islamic Relations, roots and include participants from rest of the presentations. national director do not necessarily re- chapter’s second-annual pilgrimage flect JACL policy. Events and products San Francisco Bay Area, chapter across the country and the world. Up next were first-person accounts advertised in the P.C. do not carry the to Manzanar. With the actual event agreed to provide bystander train- As a result, the chapter drew more implicit endorsement of the JACL or canceled due to COVID-19, the ing. Another big component was than 600 people throughout the » See PILGRIMAGE on page 4 this publication. We reserve the right to edit articles. © 2020 Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, Calif. and mailing office. SPRING CAMPAIGN JACL MEMBERS DONATE $150 OR MORE AND RECEIVE ONE ENTRY TO OUR MONTHLY DRAWINGS! Change of Address WINNERS CAN CHOOSE FROM: Mikami Vineyard Zinfindel 750ml | Hello Kitty JANM If you’ve moved, please send new Tote Bag | 1 year Pacific Citizen Newspaper Subscription information to: National JACL Name : 1765 Sutter St. ‘I’m glad to see the Pacific Citizen San Francisco, CA 94115 Address 1: growing and evolving with its web- (415) 921-5225 site, and especially LOVE the much ext. 26 easier-to-navigate digital archives. Phone Number : E-mail : Allow 6 weeks for It’s a treasure trove for JAs to learn address changes. about our community’s history, and JACL MEMBER? q q q$50 q$100 q$150 q$200 qOTHER ——— for scholars and journalists looking To avoid interruptions The P.C.’s mission is to ‘educate on the past Japanese American experience and preserve, promote to connect the past with the present. in delivery, Thanks for the improvements, P.C.!’ please notify your and help the current and future AAPI communities.’ postmaster to include — Gil Asakawa periodicals in your * Your donations will help build and preserve a cohesive library of the Pacific Citizen to educate future generations.* 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 May 22-June 4, 2020 3

to be a better speaker would help him sons, two through AIDS and one in his future activism, so he could through an act of gun violence. Their A MOTHER’S TAKE stand up for Valerie and speak out book, ‘Honor Thy Children,’ de- in public about his love and support scribed their family’s journey, and of her. Harold also shared “being a they were coming to Los Angeles on HEALING HEARTBREAK stutterer made me more empathetic a book tour. We eagerly awaited their toward LGBTQ+ individuals.” appearance, only to be asked to By Marsha Aizumi The Kameya In 1990, the Kameyas were asked appear on a panel with the Nakatanis. family: to speak on a panel as parents of a The thought of being ‘out’ in public here is a new book out Harold, lesbian daughter at an Asian AIDS was uncomfortable . . . . However, by Glennon Doyle called Ellen, conference. After they spoke, an we both felt it was time. “Untamed.” In the book, the Valerie and Asian gay man came up to them with “It so happened that the panel with Tauthor says, “The thing that breaks Lauren tears of gratitude streaming down his the Nakatanis coincided with our your heart is the very thing you were PHOTO: COURTESY face. He vulnerably showed the ex- parents being in town for our sons’ OF THE KAMEYA born to heal. Every world changer’s FAMILY treme emotional pain that LGBTQ+ graduations from college and law work begins with a broken heart.” individuals were going through. school. The panel also meant that I think this quote is so apropos to help. I sat there so devastated that church any longer, so they found a Harold and Ellen’s visibility and we had to inform our parents about two people I interviewed for this I wept. But it wasn’t until later that new church. They learned later that their voices were helping him heal Valerie. When my (Harold’s) parents month’s column. summer that I sat down to talk to Valerie’s experience in the church because he knew that there were first arrived from Hawaii, I gave them Harold and Ellen Kameya are two Valerie and Ellen. I waited because hurt her the most. Their church was parents who loved their LGBTQ+ a quick ‘Homosexuality 101’ talk trailblazers in the Nikkei LGBTQ+ Valerie was away at college, and a foundational piece in their life for children. And this man made the and invited them to attend the panel. community. Because of them, I am I didn’t want to worry Ellen. Ellen’s eight years, and now that was gone. Kameyas realize their stories could My mother was initially unsure, but the activist I am today. Their daugh- first reaction when Valerie shared that . . . Another heartbreak. make a difference in the lives of the after additional sessions on human ter, Valerie, came out as a lesbian in she might be gay or bisexual was, Listening to Ellen choked me up LGBTQ+ community. That is what sexuality, she decided to attend. 1988. I told them that was the year ‘You can’t be gay! There are no gay when she said, “Harold must have has fueled the Kameyas’ activism for My mother’s main reaction from Aiden was born, so we have this people in the Japanese community.’ really loved Valerie because he was over 30 years and helped create the the panel was simply her immense very special connection. We both wanted her to have the best willing to speak in public.” path that so many of us have been relief and pleasure that her son was In the 1980s, there were no visible life possible. How was happiness Speaking in public is one of most able to follow. now able to speak in public. Nikkei parents of LGBTQ+ children. going to be in Valerie’s future now? people’s greatest fears, but for Harold talked about how Ellen “Coming out to our parents was Harold remembers . . . Our hearts were broken.” Harold, it was even harder. He was and he became more visible in the a freeing experience. We no longer “In February of 1988, I was on my But Harold and Ellen’s love for a severe stutterer. He had enrolled in Nikkei and LGBTQ+ Community: were hesitant to march in the huge computer and read what Valerie had Valerie started them on a journey that Toastmasters and began attending a “In 1997, we read articles about Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade! written about a fearful visit to the they did not anticipate. They felt that self-help stuttering group in 1988 for the Nakatani family of San Jose, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center seeking they would not be accepted at their his job. Little did he know this step who tragically lost all three of their » See HEALING on page 10 LEGAL-EASE: AN ATTORNEY’S PERSPECTIVE

VISITING RELATIVES IN A NURSING HOME cian and clinician-educator in the division of geriatrics at UCLA’s By Judd Matsunaga, Esq. dressed and exercise. has made facilities more susceptible While these problems are being David Geffen School of Medicine. “A That’s why both U.S. and California to COVID-19 outbreaks, not less, worked out, here’s something you great amount of literature has been re you concerned about law guarantee very broad access because there is no one to sound may find helpful regarding patients written on this, and even doctors a family member at a for residents to visit with friends, the alarm about the staffing crises, at “end-of-life” situations. When can’t always tell when patients are nursing home? How can families and others who provide poor infection control practices and the U.S. government barred family dying. It’s really hard to tell. It’s hu- Ayou not be??? While over one-third critical support. However, in response neglect that cause them. Locking members from visiting relatives in man nature that we’re all optimistic, of the COVID-19 deaths in California to the COVID-19 pandemic, the out visitors has left facilities with nursing homes, it made an exception and we tend toward overstating how have been residents of long-term federal government and California no oversight, including those with for certain compassionate cases like long someone has to live.” care facilities, California has yet both suspended residents’ rights to deplorable histories of abuse and end of life. In those cases, visitors When asked during a press con- to develop a statewide plan to pro- visitors in an effort to prevent the neglect. will be equipped with personal pro- ference to define “end of life” or tect residents in these settings two introduction and spread of COVID-19 Given the failure of the visitation tective equipment-like masks, and “imminent death,” CMS said the months into this crisis (source: www. in long-term care facilities in March. ban to arrest COVID-19 and the the visit will be limited to a specific agency does not specifically define JusticeinAging.org, May 15, 2020). The visitation bans issued in growing concern that current policy room only. “end of life” — that should be left Chances are, your resident has now March were hasty responses to the may be condemning residents to “People want to be close to some- up to the facility and the family to gone months without seeing his/her uncertainty of the time. Now that we never see their loved ones again, it is one they love who is dying because decide together. In other words, even families and friends. Loneliness has have gained more experience and time to soften the visitation ban and it’s their last opportunity to say good- in the midst of this terrible crisis, consequences. Under the visitation information about COVID-19 and use an approach that better balances bye,” said Michael Shochet, senior there is no simple answer. In the ban, residents lost the love, compan- its impact on long-term care, it is the relevant concerns about residents’ cantor at Temple Rodef Shalom in end, it’s all about trying to make ionship, support and care from their time to update visitation restrictions welfare. Warm weather has returned, Falls Church, Va. “If they miss that those final days better not just for loved ones just when they needed it and allow support-person visitors to opening the opportunity for outdoor opportunity, they never get it back” the person who is dying but also most. The isolation has brought an maximize the welfare of residents. visits on a facility’s property, such (source: AARP, Navigating New for those who are grieving the loss. immense emotional toll on residents Broad visitation bans are doing more as courtyards, patios or parking lots. Rules, March 30, 2020). and all who care about them. Far too harm than good. California has already begun re- Visitors are essential to the men- Judd Matsunaga is the founding many residents are suffering and The visitation ban was also not storing partial visitation rights for tal health of patients who are at an attorney of Elder Law Services of dying alone. successful in protecting long-term health-care patients. The Department end-of-life stage. For their continued California, a law firm that special- Visitation is one of the most care residents from COVID-19. of Public Health recommends that mental health and well being, the izes in Medi-Cal Planning, Estate important and meaningful rights Thousands of facilities have had patients with disabilities be allowed Center for Medicare and Medicaid Planning and Probate. He can of long-term care facility residents. outbreaks, many of them massive, a support person when “medically Services recommends that one visi- be contacted at (310) 348-2995 or Spouses and adult children of and thousands of residents have necessary.” DPH needs to strengthen tor be allowed to be present with the [email protected]. The residents with dementia often help died. With so many facilities expe- this guidance. What is “medically patient. But the problem is, the CMS opinions expressed in this article them manage their days. Families riencing an outbreak, the visitation necessary”? Does that mean a phy- has no hard and fast definition — set- are the author’s own and do not often provide routine, life-sustain- ban has diminishing value (source: sician’s order is needed? Why send ting off a painful, nationwide debate necessarily reflect the view of the ing care to residents, such as help- California Advocates for Nursing families after a physician’s order if over the meaning of the phrase. Pacific Citizen or constitute legal ing them to eat and drink, change Home Reform, May 4, 2020). a facility can nonetheless refuse to “This is a very difficult question,” or tax advice and should not be positions, maintain hygiene, get The complete absence of visitors abide a DPH “recommendation”? admitted Manuel Eskildsen, a physi- treated as such. 4 May 22-June 4, 2020 COMMENTARY/COMMUNITY

As noted, the arc does bend toward FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR justice. Japanese Americans demanded and got an apology from shortcomings of our past. our government. It is time that we do HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF The genocide of Native Americans, the same for other communities that slavery, the Chinese Exclusion Act, have been ravaged by past policies. kill Vincent Chin. offensive content. Today, the Asian Jim Crow and, of course, World War If we can achieve redress, we can By David Inoue, The 1980s were filled with images American community needs more II Japanese American incarceration also provide reparations. JACL Executive Director of Detroit autoworkers destroying people standing in solidarity with provides a continuous chain of how Theologian James Cone said, Japanese-made automobiles; now, we us to proclaim that they, too, are our country has always sought to “People hear other stories about Jesus n May 18, Vincent Chin see our highest leaders blaming China Chinese American. oppress minority communities in that enable them to move beyond the would have turned 65. for anything related to COVID-19. Which brings us back to Ahmaud not-so-subtle ways. The specific privateness of their own stories.” We Ten days earlier, on May While China is not without blame, Arbery. If we as Asian Americans target may change, but the intent need to hear these other communities’ O8, Ahmaud Arbery would have it is not at fault for everything. Just seek solidarity from others, we must has remained continuous. stories as Asian Americans to move turned 26. One, Asian American, as Ebens and Nitz blamed Chin pursue solidarity with Arbery. And But fighting for justice is not just beyond our individual experiences the other, African-American, both for the then-trade war with Japan, with his name are the names of opposing the obviously immoral. It and recognize the greater truths of men hunted down by two white men Asian Americans today are now Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, means advocating for quality publicly oppression in this country. and brutally murdered in modern- being blamed for the origination of Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin provided education for everyone, It is only in working together that day lynchings. Chin died at the age COVID-19 in China. and many more. Just as the injustice without regard to one’s zip code. It is we will achieve equality and equity of 27, Arbery was 25, barely into Where Chin was misidentified as of Chin’s murder brought the Asian supporting fair wages for everyone, so for all. The systematic racism against adulthood. The symmetry in their Japanese, it is just as likely today American community together, we that we are not arguing that it is more any one of us is part of a whole killings is frightening and shows that someone Japanese might be must recognize the injustice of their beneficial to receive unemployment system opposed to and dividing us that things have not changed in the identified as Chinese and targeted for deaths and seek justice in response. insurance than working a regular all. When we say we want to “Stop nearly 38 years that separates their harassment. What may have seemed We all have our individual workweek. It is not declaring workers Repeating History,” it is the entirety murders, perhaps even going back like a funny joke before, there are experiences of racism, and yet many to be essential, but not paying an of our nation’s history that carries to the 1871 Chinese Massacre or the shirts available online that say, “Yes of the stories are the same as with essential wage rate. It is ensuring the scars of racism, and it must all first documented lynching in 1835. I’m Asian, No I’m not Chinese.” Chin and Arbery. More importantly, equal access to quality health care be stopped. Indeed, the past two months have A few years ago, everyone was we must see these stories as a part and eliminating health disparities. seen the proliferation of the virulent proclaiming “Je suis Charlie” to stand of a shared unfortunate history in COVID-19 has ravaged minority David Inoue is executive director xenophobia and racism against Asian in solidarity with Charlie Hebdo, our country. Though the arc of the communities disproportionately and of the JACL. He is based in the Americans just like what drove the French satirical magazine that moral universe may bend toward with dire consequences. organization’s Washington, D.C., Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz to had been attacked for publishing justice, it remains littered with the There can be a positive ending. office.

relocation and imprisonment of Acting Secretary of Health) under established rules and precedent and over 120,000 Americans of Japanese this broad delegation of legislative with the concurrence of our best REFLECTIONS descent. power or legislative-like power medical professionals to keep us Recently, the Wisconsin State order people out of their homes into all safe. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision centers where they are properly social “Safer at Home” is temporary and NO MORE GAMAN! struck down Wisconsin Gov. Tony distancing in order to combat the evolving. It is limited to weeks, not Evers’ order to keep nonessential pandemic?” She further went on to years. The intent of “Safer at Home” . . . I feel so badly for [my mother] businesses closed for a limited suggest that Wisconsin’s shelter-at- is not to divide us, but to unite us in By Ron Kuramoto, because I thought she had been amount of time during the continuing home order is “the very definition fighting this disease. That is just not President, JACL-Wisconsin Chapter through the worst already in her COVID-19 pandemic crisis — an of tyranny.” the same as the government agents life. The Great Depression and WWII order provided for under Wisconsin Bradley’s comparison distorts my coming to our homes, confiscating ur JACL-Wisconsin chapter incarceration. But now the lockdown state law and legal precedent in cases family’s history and promotes a our belongings and forcibly removing recently received an email by our government — local Mayor of health and natural disasters. lie to Wisconsin citizens. We are us forever to desolate prison camps stating (in part): “I am a (Eric) Garcetti, state Gov. (Gavin) In oral arguments before the final not divided. We are ALL suffering because of our Japanese ancestry. Othird-generation Japanese American Newsom and President (Donald) decision, Justice Bradley stated that: from the effects of this pandemic. Bradley’s distorted comparison of (living) here in Los Angeles. . . . Trump.” “In the Korematsu decision, where Some of us have lost loved ones my parents’ and Japanese Americans’ I don’t agree with your rebuke of As a Sansei whose parents, the [U.S. Supreme Court] said that or watched friends suffer through history to temporary shelter-in-place Supreme Court Justice Wisconsin, grandparents and other relatives were the need for action was great and painful infections without being able recommendations made for public Rebecca Bradley. I completely agree imprisoned at Manzanar and Gila time was short and that justified, and to help. Many of us have seen our safety is irresponsible and divisive. with her that our current stay-at- River, I find it personally offensive I’m quoting, ‘assembling together bank accounts suffer and don’t know The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s home order is ‘the very definition of that Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and placing under guard all those when our next paycheck is coming. destruction of “Safer at Home,” a tyranny.’ And I have compared it with Rebecca Bradley would choose to of Japanese ancestry’ in assembly The difference is this: Under the policy put in place by a duly elected the incarceration of my mother, and equate Wisconsin’s public-health centers during World War II. . . . “Safer at Home” policy, our elected governor, is the true definition of others, at Manzanar during WWII. emergency order to the forcible Could the Secretary (Wisconsin Wisconsin governor is acting within tyranny. n PILGRIMAGE Japanese Americans need to advocate up the day. and bring solidarity to the Japanese » continued from page 2 for other communities as well. The San Jose JACL was blown American community and beyond. from former incarcerees Koichi The redress movement was another Courtney Mangus rounded out the away by the sheer amount of people Nishimura, Marge Taniwaki, Chris- topic that was addressed by Susan program with a thorough training that attended. The chapter is ex- NOTE: The San Jose JACL would like tine Umeda, Marielle Tsukamoto and Hayase and Tom Izu, who spoke on how to be good bystanders in tremely pleased that it was able to to acknowledge special appreciation Tom Oshidari, co-president of the about how the first pilgrimage to the community and what to do in create something fresh and new to Melanie Shojinaga, Madison San Jose JACL. They spoke about Manzanar and Tule Lake helped the event of seeing someone being during this difficult and challeng- Tamaichi and Susan Yuen for rising the hardships of living in camp, and catalyze the grassroots organization harassed. Mangus also highlighted ing time. Although Americans are to the challenge of revamping the while some did not have personal of the reparations movement. the importance of putting the target separated by the six-foot distance initial Manzanar Pilgrimage into memories, most told of their parents Sharing a video of Sue Tokushige’s first and letting him/her decide how rule, people can still come together this special, highly successful virtual and how talking and recounting the 1980 testimony before Congress, the to react to the situation. experience. trials of incarceration were almost pilgrims saw first-hand the aftermath Following a dinner break, about “Beyond impossible for the Issei. of incarceration in the Nisei genera- 100 participants took part in small Manzanar” Nishimura told a heartbreaking story tion. Tomio Hayase-Izu, Susan and group discussions to summarize virtual exhibit of his grandmother, who said that Tom’s son, then gave participants what they had learned during the by Tamiko she “. . . no longer had her dignity, ideas to think about for today. He webinar. Bringing up various topics Thiel and Zara and that no one could ever give that spoke about House Resolution 40, a of justice and solidarity, a superstar Hashmoud back”; tragically, she passed away slavery reparations bill for African- team of facilitators from across the PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAN JOSE JACL before reparations were handed out. Americans. He emphasized that West Coast helped the chapter wrap NATIONAL May 22-June 4, 2020 5 REOPENING: IT’S BACK TO BUSINESS, BUT NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL By Associated Press In Glastonbury, Conn., the Max Fish say they are very or extremely concerned restaurant opened for lunch with 16 tables on about additional infections, compared with NEW YORK — This is what “normal” will outdoor patios. Customers filled about half the three-quarters of Democrats. look like for the foreseeable future. In Connecti- tables in the early afternoon, and all the tables About 5 million people worldwide have been cut, restaurants are reopening with outdoor-only were reserved for dinner, general manager confirmed infected, and over 325,000 deaths dining and tables 6 feet (2 meters) apart. In Brian Costa said. have been recorded, including over 93,000 Beverly Hills, Calif., the rich and glamor- Friends and retirees Debbie Lawrence and in the U.S. and around 165,000 in Europe, ous are doing their shopping from the curb Jill Perry, who often ate out together before according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins along Rodeo Drive. And preschools around the outbreak, enjoyed a meal at Max Fish. University, based on government data. Experts COVID-19: the U.S. plan to turn social distancing into an “It was terrific. It’s just wonderful to be believe the true toll is significantly higher. U.S. AT A GLANCE* arts-and-crafts project by teaching kids how outside,” Lawrence said. “But I’m still a little With the virus far from vanquished, the to “create their own space” with things like leery of going to any stores.” reopenings could prove to be a stop-and-start, • Total Cases: 1,551,095* yarn and masking tape. At the Crab Shell Restaurant on the waterfront two-steps-forward-one-step-back process. • Total Deaths: 93,061 (as of May 21) As the U.S. and other countries loosen in Stamford, co-owner James Clifford held up Ford temporarily halted production at two of • Jurisdictions Reporting Cases: 55 (50 their coronavirus restrictions, it’s back to a roughly 6-foot-long (2-meter-long) stick he its assembly plants May 19 and 20 in Chicago states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, business, but not business as usual. In fact, said he used to make sure chairs weren’t too and Dearborn, Mich., respectively, after three Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and it is becoming all too clear that without a close together. autoworkers tested positive for the virus. Work the U.S. Virgin Islands) vaccine against the scourge, the disruptions “I just hope the outdoor people don’t get was stopped to sanitize equipment and isolate *Data includes both confirmed and could be long-lasting and the economy won’t greedy, and they don’t overstep their bounds,” those who were in contact with the infected presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 be bouncing right back. he said. “Because if you can’t get it right employees. reported to the CDC or tested at the CDC In Italy, where good food is an essential part outdoors, how can you get it indoors?” Detroit’s Big Three automakers restart- since Jan. 21, with the exception of testing of life, once-packed restaurants and cafes are In Fredericksburg, Va., one restaurant that ed their U.S. factories on May 18 after a results for persons repatriated to the U.S. facing a huge financial hit as they reopen with recently reopened its patio has taken an extra two-month shutdown. from Wuhan, China, and Japan. State and strict social-distancing rules after a 10-week step to reassure diners. The Colonial Tavern Education, too, is facing radical changes. local public health departments are now shutdown. is taking staff members’ temperatures at the Cambridge became the first university in testing and publicly reporting their cases. Experts warned that as many as one-third start of their shifts and posting the results for Britain to cancel all face-to-face lectures for In the event of a discrepancy between of the country’s restaurants and bars could customers to see. the upcoming school year, saying they will CDC cases and cases reported by state go out of business, up to 300,000 jobs in the Some of the new rules for dining out echo be held virtually and streamed online until and local public health officials, data sector could vanish and losses could reach reopening guidelines released by the Centers the summer of 2021. reported by states should be considered 30 billion euros ($32 billion) this year. for Disease Control and Prevention. They Other institutions have taken different tacks. the most up to date. “We have to turn upside down all the activity are intended for child-care centers, schools, The University of Notre Dame in Indiana will Source: CDC that we did before,” lamented chef Raffaele day camps, mass-transit systems, restaurants, bring students back to campus but redesigned di Cristo, who must wear a mask and latex bars and other businesses and organizations. its calendar to start the semester early in August gloves as he prepares food at the popular Corsi For example, the CDC suggests mass-transit and end before Thanksgiving. job security. Trattoria in Rome. “Everything is changed.” systems close every other row of seats and In South Korea, hundreds of thousands of Business was slow at a Paris farmer’s market Corsi reopened this week with half its tables limit how many riders can be on a bus or train. high school seniors had their temperatures with a mixed mood among the masked, gloved removed to ensure the mandated 1-meter Amid the wave of reopenings, many Ameri- checked and used hand sanitizer as they re- vendors. A man selling peonies and petunias (3-foot) spacing. Hand sanitizing gel was placed cans remain wary, according to a new survey turned May 20, many for the first time since late said he was glad to get out and see shoppers at the entrance, and a new ordering system from the Associated Press-NORC Center for last year. Students and teachers were required again, while a woman selling asparagus and was installed so that customers could read the Public Affairs Research. The poll says 83 to wear masks, and some schools installed tomatoes behind a makeshift plastic screen menu on their phones instead of listening to percent of Americans are at least somewhat plastic partitions around desks. grumbled that her customers were buying waitresses recite the specials. concerned that lifting restrictions in their area France is limiting spaces in its primary less than usual. In Connecticut, restaurants that reopened May will lead to additional infections. schools, giving priority to the children of British aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce 20 for outdoor dining are required to rearrange The poll also exposed a widening partisan essential workers and those in need. Some announced plans to cut 9,000 workers as it workstations so that employees don’t face one divide on the topic, with Democrats more cau- younger students even go on alternating days, grapples with the collapse in air travel. In another and stagger shifts and break times to tious and Republicans less anxious as President while high schools remain closed. general, those jobs come with good pay and minimize contact among them. Markers must Donald Trump urges states to “open up our People’s gratitude at being able to shop or benefits, and losing them is a sharp blow to be installed to encourage customers to keep country.” Only about a third of Republicans eat out again is mingling with worries about local communities. n their distance from one another. ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Director Lists Streaming Picks by Asian American Filmmakers Jon M. Chu and By P.C. Staff to list some of his watch-at-home picks from Supplementing that list in no particular order Asian American auteurs. Chu’s list includes are some additional streaming choices worthy FandangoNOW team he surprising commercial and personal essays expounding on what each of consideration. critical success of the 2018 feature film choice means to him. The movies on his list, ‘The Registry’ — This documentary, directed up for Asian Pacific “Crazy Rich Asians” was a milestone followed by its director, are: by Bill Kubota and Steve Ozone, tells the story Tfor Hollywood and its baggage-laden history of a pair of Army MIS veterans — Seiki Oshiro American Heritage Month. • ‘Better Luck Tomorrow’ (Justin Lin) of warped depictions of Asian Americans and • ‘Gook’ (Justin Chon) and Grant Ichikawa — who collaborated via Asians — and it proved to be a breakthrough • ‘The Farewell’ (Lulu Wang) the Internet to compile a comprehensive list for its director, Jon M. Chu. • ‘The Joy Luck Club’ (Wayne Wang) of fellow MISers. (Note: The following link Now, the convergence of May’s Asian Pacific • ‘Life of Pi’ (Ang Lee) https://www.pbs.org/video/the-registry-x3ilor/ American Heritage Month with the lingering • ‘Meru’ (Jimmy Chin & Elizabeth Chai — expires on May 29.) stay-at-home protocols used to combat the Vasarhelyi) ‘Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the COVID-19 pandemic means it’s still a good • ‘Saving Face’ (Alice Wu) Fight for Justice’ — Co-directed by Will time to catch up with some movies that have • ‘Searching’ (Aneesh Chaganty) Doolittle and one of Min Yasui’s daughters, an Asian American connection, especially now • ‘Short Term 12’ (Destin Daniel Cretton) Holly Yasui, this documentary is the story of that the PBS docuseries “Asian Americans” • ‘The Sixth Sense’ (M. Night Shyamalan) one of the four Nisei whose legal challenges (P.C., April 24-May 7, 2020 https://www. • ‘Tigertail’ (Alan Yang) available on Netflix to the WWII evacuation and incarceration pacificcitizen.org/pbs-asian-americans-is- of Japanese Americans reached the Supreme a-binge-worthy-gift-in-trying-times/) has All can be viewed for a fee at FandangoNOW, Court. (Pay to view at https://vimeo.com/ “The Registry’s” Seiki Oshiro and already aired. with the exception of “Tigertail,” which re- ondemand/nevergiveup) Grant Ichikawa meet in person. With that in mind, Chu and on-demand quires a Netflix subscription. Trailers and Chu’s streaming service FandangoNOW have teamed comments for the pics on his list can be view at https://tinyurl.com/y855au24. » See FILMMAKERS on page 10 6 May 22-June 4, 2020 IN-DEPTH

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF KAKO YAMADA The Old Friday Mosque, one of the oldest and most important buildings in Moroni, is an iconic landmark that Kako Yamada would pass every time she would come to the capital for her monthly bank day. On this calm afternoon, she enjoyed a walk from her bus stop to the other side of the city. WELCOME HOME? FROM PEACE CORPS Kako Yamada would go with her host mother to cook in the morning, enjoying a feast of breads, plantains, SERVICE TO COVID-19 AMERICA grilled chicken and fish.

Abruptly evacuated from Comoros, Kako Yamada returns to a very different U.S. By Kako Yamada, the Indian Ocean untouched Contributor by COVID-19, I was headed home to the epicenter of the hope that the next time I answer pandemic: New York City. you, a call or message will mean The gravity of the situation that I am still alive.” That’s how seeped into my skin with each ‘Ithe message from my friend started. narrowing mile during that Kako and FC Inanga on the bus to the final game of the Comorian I laughed and rolled my eyes, flight to (what was supposed One final group picture at Women’s Football National thinking, “He’s being so dramatic.” to be) my grand return to the the airport as Peace Corps Championship But I now know, he wasn’t. arms of (read: 6 feet distance Comoros Volunteers were As I perused the makeshift to) my family members. evacuated to their homes gift store at Prince Said Ibrahim On my layover in Addis ‘In the end, viruses do in the United States. International Airport in March to Ababa, I saw people in full body hinging on impressing gather Comorian souvenirs to bring suits; on the subsequent plane, flight one another with labels, not see religion, race or home to family in New York, the attendants wore gloves and asked accomplishments and airport’s single waiting room was passengers not to help one another. wealth — I could not wealth. They do not pick bustling with our group of Peace Upon arrival at Newark Airport in escape the fact that I and choose.’ Corps Volunteers in varying levels New Jersey, a hollow silence echoed. was a volunteer that of disarray and fatigue. Welcome home. would disappear if — Kako Yamada We had gone to sleep a few days It was not until May 1 that President things got bad. earlier under the familiar Comorian Azali Assoumani announced the first Therefore, on top stars. But then life completely case of COVID-19 in Comoros. By of immediate health changed. Soon, we all woke up then, in the month and a half since concerns and a sense of uselessness to a completely different reality: I had returned to the U.S., there had to my local New York community, an abrupt evacuation back to the been 304,372 reported COVID-19 this guilt and escalating fear over United States due to concerns over cases in New York, a number that what could happen in Comoros when COVID-19. equated to half the population of COVID-19 arrived there plagued my Our plans for the remaining months Comoros. conscience. or years of service vanished as we This, more than anything, perplexed Contrary to my paranoia, everything collected what we could of our my Comorian friends: Why did you in Comoros had proceeded as usual. Kako with her fitness coach belongings — some able to say their leave the safety of Comoros to a I would call my friends and family and teammates after good-byes, others not so lucky. I had place with COVID-19? We both everyday to check on the situation. completing the annual I been allotted one hour to pack and knew the answer: There are hospitals They’d tell me, “No cases.” But under nternational Women’s Day say my farewells to my host family and greater chances of survival here. their breath, they also expressed that Kako wears a traditional 5K in Moroni. — leaving my friends, students, In Comoros, where there is next there were no tests, no hospitals, no Comorian dress while walking teammates and co-workers in the to no medical care, unreliable government to be trusted, as well as out to the plane leaving dust about my sudden departure. electricity rendering stocking up a no reliable news sources. Comoros, holding a punish all people in China for the As a way to break the news as near impossibility and community- At the same time, my attempts to traditional Comorian hat treatment of Uyghur Muslims. personally and professionally as based living styles incompatible share precautionary measures, while gifted to her by her local At the time, as a Peace Corps possible at that point, I squeezed with social distancing, the chances being mindful of not coming off as a language teacher, along with Volunteer, it seemed important to in as many phone calls as I could of survival appeared slimmer there. Western know-it-all, faced pushback. her flight ticket home. pick which battles to fight — what as the boarding gates closed in on It came down to privilege. After Many people claimed COVID-19 opinions to share and not to share, me — a fate that I’m sure was shared months of integrating — through to be a conspiracy and asserted what cultural values to open up about among many of the 7,300 Peace language, food and dances — in the that Comorians are stronger than to interactions in January, where and which to hide. Now, I regret more Corps volunteers who were evacuated end, I am privileged. In a pandemic, COVID-19. I found it frustrating to neighbors would say, “You know of what I did not say and did not do. from more than 60 posts worldwide. I, as an American citizen and Peace care for people who did not seem to the Chinese are dying of this virus. Perhaps if I had spoken up then, Over the duration of my two-day Corps Volunteer, got to fly out to a care to increase chances of survival. It is Allah’s divine punishment for it would be easier to also be openly journey back home, the seriousness of country with better health care. After all, many of my friends how they mistreat their Muslims.” communicative now. Then, I could my friend’s message crescendoed as No matter how much I had seen shared the belief that the devout I remember biting my tongue and see a two-way street of sharing ideas the hue of reality got darker in front and felt that people are not different Islamic country would be protected restraining myself from calling out as equals rather than being overly of my eyes. From an island country in — that I had made connections not by Allah, which brought me back the racist assumption that God would conscious of my positionality and IN-DEPTH May 22-June 4, 2020 7 how sharing my ideas may echo represents the view of the American Which makes me wonder: Are my We, America, should be ashamed; we call, not only to these systematic ways in which colonialsts forced people to communities abroad. fears of Comoros being wiped out are no longer a country for people problems stitched into our history their beliefs. Many of my Comorian neighbors’ disrespectful? to look up to, perhaps we never and present day, but also to reidentify In the end, viruses do not see sentiments around the virus being While the ways in which the were. We have failed. We need to our impact on the global community. religion, race or wealth. They do Chinese was directly quoted from Comorian government decided to admit this. And maybe in doing It is about time that we understand not pick and choose. President Trump’s words, and it was hide cases of COVID-19 and suppress global volunteerism and helping that Americans need to reflect on But, I knew that regardless of assumed that I also supported such anyone who tried to speak about them “developing” countries, it’d be much our identity and our people. how they’d try to convince me that views seeing as I am American. leave me worried for the worst, are my more effective to redevelop our own So, I choose to dream of a day they will be fine, my friends also Yet, when I came to America, fears that Comoros may be doomed country from the base. In looking with no heroes. A day when nurses, understood this. The denial was a I had to learn to be Asian again. stemming from a neocolonialist inward, we must also see the lesson doctors, EMT workers, cashiers and tactic to deal with fear. And how I transitioned from warmly greeting view that poor countries cannot that we can learn from every other cleaners don’t need to be applauded could I blame them, for wouldn’t every passerby in Comoros to handle this pandemic? In fact, many country, too. as heros for the deaths they’ve seen hopeful denial be easier to accept relearning to cast my gaze down African countries have tactically At first, I wanted to say, “Let’s and the trauma they’ve shouldered. than the realities of a pandemic in out of fear that I would be attacked minimized the number of cases in call this what it is: a war on the That soldiers don’t need to come which your surroundings are nowhere for being Asian. I cannot see people, these trying times. poor.” In the United States, the black back with PTSD and be applauded near equipped to save you? and I cannot be seen. On the contrary, our divided and brown population are suffering for being heroes. In the midst of all of this, one I am ashamed. I am ashamed country has forgotten that in life, the most deaths. Immigrants and I wish heroes would stay in story theme became immensely clear: The when my Comorian friends ask if liberty and the pursuit of happiness, migrants in detention centers books in our childhood and not as situation of a country miles away, a vaccine has been found, bright eyes life comes before all. We have remain caged with the virus ticking a way of dealing with the avoidable often labeled as one of the poorest looking up to the United States, the completely lost reason in a blind inside like a time bomb. Workers, deaths and pains. And I call to in the world, is very much mirrored most powerful country in the world, pursuit of liberty. who surely do not want to expose America to please reflect in order here in the United States. to find a solution. When people protest in front of themselves to COVID-19, must do to fulfill the wish of my friend, who The characteristics of denial, I am ashamed to tell them, “No,” hospitals or call for their freedom so in order to make a living. wrote, in closing, governmental inadequacies and and see their glimmer of hope to get haircuts, instead of shaming On a global scale, the rich who “I would bet everyday for God to do systematic vulnerabilities of flicker as they slowly accept that or writing off people as stupid, we could travel across borders spread another miracle for us, it’s to see us certain social groups over others their country has no chance of must try to understand, especially the virus to different countries. again one day without this Corona.” are paralleled. However, one quality survival if a country as strong as the because we disagree. The rich countries hoard resources is certainly different: We have the United States has been hit so hard by America, please listen. America, so that when poorer countries Kako Yamada is an evacuated resources, and yet, we dared to fail. this virus. I will listen to your opinions and do get exposed, they will not Peace Corps Volunteer. She served Here, we did not prepare due to But, this is wrong. The United why you decide to protest because only lack the infrastructure due in Comoros as a TEFL volunteer racist and exceptionalist sentiments States is far from the strongest I don’t understand why, and I don’t to underdevelopment caused by from June 2019-March 2020. that we are immune to the virus or country. Many countries with know your situation, but I want to colonialism, but they also will She will continue her studies in that “it’s a China problem.” And fewer resources, such as Vietnam, understand. not have immediate materials for the International Educational while we individually may not have done much better at preparing And we do not need to agree, but self-protection. Development Program at the hold these views, President Trump and dealing with this pandemic. I will no longer bite my tongue either. But now, I think this is a wake-up University of Pennsylvania.

One of Kako’s favorite memories was waking up at 4 a.m. with women in her village to go to Moroni for the 8th annual International Women’s Day.

Kako represented Peace Corps with fellow volunteers, staff and host country partners at the international celebration of the “Day of the Mother Tongue,” hosted by the National Mu- seum and the Ministry of Education.

Men suited up Kako and her fellow volunteers for Friday prayer presented a skit in the local language in and evening front of government workers, linguists wedding festivities and UNESCO members who convened in front of the in efforts to preserve Shikimori at Friday Mosque in Comoros’ first international “Day of the Mitsamiouli. Mother Tongue” event. 8 May 22-June 4, 2020 IN-DEPTH JA FATHER OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA MOVEMENT Dr. Tod Mikuriya’s lifelong research laid the foundation upon which all medical marijuana legislation is based.

By Rob Buscher, historian, U.S. Army Veteran, Re- find solace through their association for Tod.” nine-page chapter was not in the Contributor publican and pro-marijuana activist. with the Quaker community. After completing his elementary course at all, but it happened to be Mikuriya’s parents, Tadafumi Mi- “We were fortunate to be living education, Tod attended the George in the textbook; it launched me on The following article will appear in kuriya and Anna Schwenk, were well- down the street from a Quaker meet- School, a Quaker boarding school. He this sort of inquiry. That spring, I two parts, with the final installment known in the Philadelphia region as ing house, and the Quaker commu- then went on to receive his college read everything on marijuana in the to be featured in the June 5, 2020, perhaps the only interracial couple in nity essentially gave us protection degree at Reed College in Oregon medical library and decided that I issue of the Pacific Citizen. the town of Fallsington, who began from the rest of the really hostile and was then drafted into the U.S. should try some of this stuff.” their family in 1933 with Tod’s birth. world out there,” Todd recalled in Army in 1957, where he served a Marijuana is classified as a Sched- s states and municipali- Tod Mikuriya’s mother was a Ger- the documentary. “We were not sent brief stint as an attendant on the ule 1 drug under federal law, as ties across the country le- man immigrant, and his father was to a concentration camp but were locked psychiatric unit at Brooke defined by the Controlled Substances galize the use of medical an Issei immigrant from Japan whose kept under surveillance of the FBI, Army Hospital in Texas. Act of 1970, but the prohibition of Amarijuana, cannabis preparations family were of Samurai nobility. forbidden from traveling more than It was during this time that Tod cannabis dates back to 1937. are becoming increasingly popular Compared to the majority of Japanese 50 miles and had to turn in our camera developed a deeper interest in the In a 1991 talk show interview, Tod in the treatment of a wide array of in the West Coast who were work- and radio with short band on it.” mind, and he decided to apply for explained, “Marijuana was taken medical issues. Currently, all but ing as farm laborers and fishermen, These experiences helped shape admission to Temple University away from availability by the 1937 four states have some form of can- the elder Mikuriya came to the U.S. Tod’s worldview from an early age, School of Medicine’s Psychiatry Marihuana Tax Act, and medicinal nabis access program for medical under the sponsorship of the famed along with encouragement from his program. cannabis also became unavailable, use. A growing number of states Wannamaker family, who helped parents, who were quite progressive He was granted early release from deleted from the 1941 formulary and have even taken the step to legal- facilitate his entry to the University for their era. Tod was never afraid active duty to pursue his medical pharmacopeia. It was part of this ize marijuana for recreational use, of Pennsylvania’s engineering pro- to speak up. degree in Philadelphia, and Tod so-called ‘sending the signal’ school which currently includes Alaska, gram. However, even the association In one childhood incident, Tod continued his service as an Army of propaganda and disinformation California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, with an esteemed family could not was once reprimanded by his Boy reservist at the nearby Germantown that the police had to maintain in Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, prevent the inevitable racism that Scout troop leader for calling a beach Army Reserve Center. order to continue the fictionalized Oregon, Vermont, Washington and would follow the U.S.’s entry into attendant racist for not allowing His career would take a sudden ‘killer weed’ or part of ‘reefer mad- the District of Columbia. Even a World War II. their group onto the beach because and unlikely turn when Tod stumbled ness.’ Saying that Cannabis had decade ago, this was unthinkable. In an interview excerpt from the they included an African-American across an unassigned chapter on medical or medicinal utility would Predating the widespread accep- biopic documentary “Dr. Tod,” Mi- student. When the troop leader told the medical uses of cannabis in his have run contrary to their fiction that tance of medical marijuana in this kuriya recalled, “Imagine me at age Tod’s parents, they sided with Tod pharmacology textbook. they needed to maintain in order to country, one man spent his life and 7, it was a war on Sunday afternoon. and told him it was the right thing “The fateful change in my life continue credibility and not have career researching and advocating Listening to the news, it was really to do. took place in March 1959 in study people question why marijuana was for the restoration of cannabis in the a shock hearing the account of the Mary Jane recalled, “I think these of pharmacology my sophomore prohibited.” United States Pharmacopeia — his bombing of Pearl Harbor and real- early years of encouragement to year,” he recalled. “I was studying In reality, cannabis has been used contributions laid the foundation izing the implications this would speak up for others and speak truth Goodman and Gilman second edition, in a variety of traditional medical upon which all medical marijuana have for our family, none of them even to power became a way of life and I came across a chapter on mari- contexts throughout the world for legislation is based. good, believe me.” juana. This centuries, as Tod would learn through To patient advocates and others in As children, Tod and his extensive research on the subject the medical cannabis community, his his younger sister, Mary in the decades to come. name is familiar, but few in the Japa- Jane, experienced a great Western medicine also incorporated nese American community are likely deal of racism from the medicinal cannabis into its standard to know the late Dr. Tod Mikuriya, a local community. The pharmacopeia by the mid-1800s and Hapa Japanese American psychiatrist, Mikuriya family would doctors commonly prescribed it to treat conditions ranging from anxiety PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE MIKURIYA FAMILY and pain management to epilepsy. In the same interview, Tod ex- plained that there was a financial motivation for the prohibition of Dr. Tod marijuana. Mikuriya “No money could be made from

Tod in his U.S. Army Tod and uniform his sister, Mary Jane, with their parents in 1935.

Cannabis: Where Is It Legal, courtesy of AARP

Tod in his Boy Scout uniform and in an Tod in 1944 undated photo (left) IN-DEPTH May 22-June 4, 2020 9 any patents [because it was a nat- of the marijuana-smoking gang residency in 1966, Tod embarked disorders. in India at the height of British hege- urally occurring substance], and members being sentenced to life on a two-continent road trip through Tod recalled in an interview excerpt mony where this question was raised they weren’t interested in promoting without parole in an asylum after Europe and North Africa, where he from the “Dr. Tod” documentary, in the House of Commons about the the use of cannabis,” he said. “The being rendered permanently insane had the opportunity to follow up “The reason I wanted to be there was lunatic asylums overflowing because popularity and promotion of syn- because of his drug use. a research lead in Morocco after because of Dr. Humphry Osmond, of problems with cannabis. As a re- thetic drugs by the pharmaceutical Given the socially conservative learning about cannabis-suppression who was one of the directors of the sult, the Indian Hemp Commission manufacturers started in the 1890s climate of the late 1950s and aware efforts that were being made there institute. Dr. Osmond administered was established, and this unlikely and has escalated ever since with that even his interest in marijuana by the United Nations Narcotics the (hallucinogenic drug) mescaline report generated and sent back to new and better, allegedly, synthetic might have adverse implications Commission. to Aldous Huxley, which motivated the British government to be filed substances. Although [pharmaceu- on his future career aspirations, Tod Tod traced a map from the U.N. him to write “The Doors of Percep- and forgotten. Some expensive and tical corporations] Eli Lilly and decided to conduct his personal can- report and plotted his course through tion.” I didn’t find out until about 20 very comprehensive studies show Parke-Davis maintained a farm for nabis trial while on a road trip to the marijuana growing regions in years later, but I discovered to my [cannabis] was an integral part of the developing pharmaceutical strength Mexico during the summer of 1959, question. He described his trip in an amazement that Dr. Osmond was Ayurvedic medicine that continues plants up until 1937.” far away from the reaches of Temple article in O’Shaughnessy’s Journal a contractor to the CIA — to the to be useful in treatment of a number When the prohibition was enacted, University. of Cannabis in Medical Practice: intelligence community. So, he was of medical conditions.” a number of medical doctors and “Obtaining marijuana for my “Cannabis was growing everywhere, protected, and I was protected. Not Another key discovery made dur- clinicians objected to the outlawing first clinical experiment turned out all along what passed for a road. No realizing at the time, how close to ing Tod’s time at NIMH were the of cannabis as a viable treatment to be very simple,” he recalled. utilities, no electrification, no run- the flame I was flitting around and writings of William O’Shaughnessy. option for patients they were cur- “I got out of the car and started walk- ning water. At the time, I was the how this other world of drugs was “I discovered at the National Li- rently treating. ing towards the hotel and was ac- only European or other-worlder that in motion.” brary of Medicine the works of Sir To discredit this opposition, the costed by a street entrepreneur who many of these Moroccans had seen.” Tod’s research interests were able to William Brooke O’Shaughnessy. government conspired to create an said, ‘You want a girl?’” Instead, One of the reasons Tod chose to flourish with the support of scientific Born in 1806, died in 1889. Brought anti-marijuana propaganda campaign Tod asked for marijuana. visit Morocco was to investigate leadership who supported his line of cannabis to Western medicine in a that turned public opinion against it. Reflecting on his first impressions a mental hospital in Tangier that inquiry on the medical benefits of model of exemplary scientific meth- The best-known example of which of the drug, Tod wrote, “I found the claimed to have evidence on the cannabis and its potential as a harm- odology. With review of literature, is the 1936 feature film “Reefer experience interesting — fascinating. harmful effects of cannabis as was reduction substitute within addiction animal experiments, healthy human Madness,” which tells a sensational- I had this rush of ideas and images. reported in the International Bulletin treatment counseling. experiments and therapeutic trials ized story about an upstanding high I can remember looking out the of Narcotics. Unfortunately, when the head nurse with patients who had a number of school student who gets dragged window and wondering what it would After meeting with the hospital su- chose to alert the police department medical conditions.” into a murder plot after smoking be like to fly — not that I felt any perintendent and touring the facility, after a patient under Tod’s care suf- O’Shaughnessy’s writings were so marijuana cigarettes. The following compulsion to do so, just musing he realized that it lacked the research fered a relapse into heroin use, Mi- influential on Tod’s future work that excerpt from the film’s opening titles about the sensation. Of course, capabilities to deliver such results. kuriya sought employment else- he would later co-found a medical summarizes the attitudes expressed I wrote down my impressions.” “They didn’t have any psychia- where. Shortly thereafter, in 1967, journal in his name with marijuana in the film: After sharing the rest of his stash trists in the whole of Morocco. I he was offered a prestigious job as activist Fred Gardner. “Marihuana is that drug — a with two college friends, Tod would had to keep explaining that I was director of non-classified marijuana Through correspondence with the violent narcotic — an unspeakable not touch marijuana again until 1964, a doctor of the head because the research at the National Institute of archivist of the Eli Lilly pharmaceuti- scourge — the Real Public Enemy when a friend reintroduced him to word ‘psychiatrist’ meant nothing Mental Health Center for Narcotics cal company, Tod found perhaps the Number One! Its first effect is sudden, it during his residency at Oregon to them. They didn’t even have a and Drug Abuse in Washington, D.C. closest thing to a smoking gun in violent, uncontrollable laughter, then State Hospital. rudimentary laboratory. It was like a From his vantage within a federal terms of the prolific use of medical come dangerous hallucinations — As Tod began using marijuana prison camp without much security. agency position, Tod was able to cannabis in American pharmacology space expands — time slows down, recreationally on a regular basis, It convinced me that what was put leverage government resources to prior to prohibition. almost stands still . . . fixed ideas this renewed his interest in the phar- out in the International Bulletin of continue his research. His studies Referencing information that was come next, conjuring up monstrous macological attributes of the plant; Narcotics was a bunch of crap.” uncovered extensive documentation given to him on the Lilly corpora- extravagances — followed by emo- throughout his residency, he began This realization that much of the of the preprohibition use of medical tion’s past usage of medical cannabis, tional disturbances, the total inability compiling a bibliography of medical allegedly negative research on the cannabis to treat a variety of condi- Tod wrote, “They had a whole proto- to direct thoughts, the loss of all literature about cannabis. use of cannabis had been fabricated tions. One of the most comprehensive col of biologically analyzing the po- power to resist physical emotions The content he found was over- for political reasons would fuel Tod’s studies conducted was “The Indian tency with the use of certain species . . . leading finally to acts of shocking whelmingly positive, and combined further interest in the study of mari- Hemp Drugs Commission Report of dogs. Specimens were probably violence . . . ending often in incur- with his own personal knowledge of juana’s medicinal properties. of 1893-94.” kept by the food and drug administra- able insanity.” the substance, Tod found it difficult Upon his return to the States, Tod He wrote, “It continues to remain tion, but I’ve not been able to confirm to reconcile the harsh legal penalties took a job at the New Jersey Neuro- largely unnoticed, although it is the this. The only thing I know is that “Reefer Madness” ends with one with what he increasingly knew to psychiatric Institute, where he was most-thorough expensive ethno- once upon a time they had federal be a drug less harmful than able to work with scientific leaders graphic study of the use of marijuana standards for potency. But all records alcohol. in the study of psychedelic drugs After completing his as a potential treatment for mental » See MOVEMENT on page 12

Tod with a Lilly Cannabis extract bottle

“Reefer Madness” 1936 film poster A Lilly Cannabis extract label A Parke-Davis cannabis extract advertisement 10 May 22-June 4, 2020 CALENDAR/COMMENTARY/NATIONAL

A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS through the research and help you adults. to write your story. Each session Info: Visit www.keiro.org/caregiver- Japan Society of Boston Free Online includes a homework assignment conference to register for this virtual Resources and culiminates with sharing your conference. Please register by May 27. Boston, MA final written report. For questions, please email programs@ Virtual classes and information Info: For course information and keiro.org. Price: Free CALENDAR to register, visit http://bit.ly/your DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS IN THE U.S. BECAUSE OF THE The Japan Society of Boston is of- familyyourhistory. JANM Online Museum Collection fering free online resources featuring COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE CHECK REGARDING THE STATUS OF Los Angeles, CA Japanese language learning tools, EVENTS LISTED IN THIS ISSUE’S CALENDAR SECTION. Japanese American National Museum Japanese cooking, origami, arts PSW Online and lectures and much more, all Tadaima! A Community Virtual JANM’s Museum Collections Online in a virtual online capacity. Pilgrimage Inaugural LAAPFF Virtual Festival features selected highlights from Info: Visit https://japansocietyboston. NATIONAL National Event Los Angeles, CA the museum’s permanent collection wildapricot.org. June 13-Aug. 16 Begins May 1 of more than 60,000 unique arti- JACL National Convention Price: Free Online Showcase facts, documents and photographs. Kimono Couture: The Beauty of Chiso Continue to follow JACL on Face- Hosted by the Japanese American Kicking off Asian Pacific Ameri- Among the collections that can Worcester, MA book, Instagram, Twitter, JACL.org Memorial Pilgrimages website, this can Heritage Month, this virtual be viewed online are the “Stanley Thru July 26 and PacificCitizen.org for updated collaboration brings together repre- showcase will feature a free digital Hayami Diary,” “Hisako Hibi Col- Worcester Art Museum information regarding this year’s sentatives from many different parts showcase of films, panels and Q & lection,” “George Hoshida Collec- 55 Salisbury St. National Convention. There will be of the Nikkei community who are A sessions from top Asian American tion” and “Hideo Date Collection,” This is the first exhibition outside a virtual National Board meeting committed to actively memorializing filmmakers that focuses on the “ Estelle Ishigo Collection,” among of Japan of historic and contem- on Aug. 15. the history of Japanese Ameri- current Asian American experience others. Although the museum is porary kimonos from the collection Info: Visit www.jacl.org. can incarceration during WWII. in the U.S. The opening day film temporarily closed, viewers can of Chiso, the distinguished Kyoto- Spread across nine themed weeks, will feature a sneak preview of the still experience its inside treasures. based kimono house founded in Info: www.janm.org. Tsuru Rising! Virtual Protest to Close “Tadaima!” will feature prerecorded upcoming PBS documentary series 1555. The exhibit will include 13 the Camps and live-streamed content, as well “Asian Americans.” kimonos from the mid-1600s-2000s. National Event as opportunities to engage as a Info: For full screening information and a A special video will also document June 6, 10 a.m. EDT/1 p.m. PST-6 p.m. community. festival lineup, visit festival.vcmedia.org. PNW the contemporary creation of a EDT/9 p.m. PST; Info: For more information, visit https:// kimono, from start to finish. June 7, 10 a.m. EDT/1 p.m. PST-5 p.m www.jampilgrimages.com. Keiro Caregiver Conference Wing Luke Museum Online Digital Info: Visit https://www.worcesterart. n EDT/8 p.m. PST Los Angeles, CA Content org/exhibitions/kimono-couture/. Price: Free May 31; 2-4:15 p.m. Seattle, WA Tsuru for Solidarity will hold this NCWNP Virtual Conference Wing Luke Museum virtual protest to mark its one-year This conference is one of several Although the museum’s doors are anniversary and renew its demand Your Family, Your History With Keiro will be holding throughout temporarily closed, there is still a ADVERTISE HERE to stop repeating a history of in- Genealogist Linda Harms Okazaki the year to serve the community plethora of curated stories, digital Events in the calendar section justice, pain and trauma: Close Biweekly Webinars Thru Aug. 5 via Zoom and inform them about caregiving content and neighborhood resourc- are listed based on space the Camps. The two-day program Price: Sessions 2-8 Course Enrollment options, resources and breakout es available to access and view. availability. Place a ‘Spotlight’ will include community building, $30 Members/$50 General Public sessions involving advanced care Viewers can check out Education, ad with photos of your event impactful conversations and cross- (Course enrollment includes access to planning, decluttering and conver- YouthCAN, Collections and Com- for maximum exposure. community healing circles. webinar video recordings) sations regarding care. There will munity Art all online! Info: To register, visit http://www.tsu- be free attorney and social worker Info: www.digitalwingluke.org. FOR MORE INFO: ruforsolidarity.org/tsururising; general Have you ever wanted to research [email protected] your family history but didn’t know consultations, along with a hosted questions, email tsuruforsolidarity@ bento and resource fair comprised (213) 620-1767 gmail.com. how to begin? Geneaologist Lin- da Harms Okazaki will guide you of nonprofit organizations and busi- nesses focused on helping older EDC

HEALING » continued from page 3 Valerie and her FILMMAKERS » continued from page 5 daughter, Lauren During our 20-plus years of marching all their years of unselfish service. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ‘Picture Bride’ — Written and at https://vimeo.com/farallonfilms. KAMEYA FAMILY in pride parades, we experimented In the audience, their whole family directed by the late Kayo Hatta, “Days of Waiting” won an Oscar, with various messages on the signs and so many friends sat proudly this is a story based on the early and “Unfinished Business” was that we carried. witnessing them being honored. Japanese immigrant phenomenon Oscar-nominated; both are pay to “One year, Ellen held a sign that What touched me the most was of Issei men and women who met — view, while “Mushroom Club” is read ‘PROUD ASIAN MOM OF A how their children and grandchildren and married — via correspondence free. “Mifune: The Last Samurai” GAY KID.’ Because of the debilitat- were watching their parents and and photographs. Stars Yuki Kudo, is pay-to-view on Amazon Prime ing effect of Asian shame that we grandparents being recognized for Tamlyn Tomita and Toshiro Mifune. Video. felt when Valerie first came out, the not only their years of standing up for (Pay to view at Amazon Prime Video, ‘Toyo Miyatake: Infinite Shades words proud and Asian were impor- what they believed in, but also their Apple TV+) of Grey’ and ‘Manzanar’ — From tant words for Ellen to proclaim. The courage to be a visible light of hope ‘American Pastime’ — This Robert Nakamura, the “godfather reaction that Ellen received could to Asian and LGBTQ+ individuals. baseball drama, set in a Japanese of Asian American media,” both only be described as ‘electric.’ Many What role models Harold and Ellen American concentration camp, was documentaries and two more are young women ran up to her with tears have been to their family, friends and directed by Desmond Nakano, who free to view at https://tinyurl.com/ in their eyes, hugging and thanking our community. shares a writing credit with Tony yc7cv48m. her for her message. Others came In the end, as I listened to the sto- Kayden. (Pay to view at Amazon ‘The Manzanar Fishing Club’ — up to pose for photos alongside her. ries of Harold and Ellen Kameya, all Prime Video, Apple TV+ and The Corey Shiozaki documentary, As we walked by, loud cheers were I could think about was how they FandangoNOW) the title of which reveals its subject a common reaction from people have helped to heal the world with ‘The Killing of a Chinese Cookie’ matter, can’t be streamed yet — but lining the street. The following year, their courage at a time when no one Your heart and I’ll point you — An exposé of sorts, directed by is purported to be available at an I carried a matching sign and received else was speaking up, how experi- toward both.” Derek Shimoda, about an only-in- undeteremined future date as a similar reactions from the crowd.” ences in their lives have brought them America story behind the staple of streaming rental or digital download Harold and Ellen reflect that to a place of greater compassion and ­— Glennon Doyle Chinese restaurants (in America, that from Amazon Prime Video. “the greatest reward on this journey empathy, but most of all of how they is): the fortune cookie. (Pay to view ‘Life Tastes Good’ — Written and has been the respect of our three have shown that unwavering love can Marsha Aizumi is an advocate in at Amazon Prime Video) directed by Philip Kan Gotanda, this children.” heal heartbreak and not only change the LGBT community and author of ‘Days of Waiting,’ ‘Unfinished crime drama unfolds in flashback In 2018, at PFLAG San Gabriel their lives, but ours as well. . . . the book “Two Spirits, One Heart: Business,’ ‘The Mushroom Club’ and is narrated by a dead man. Stars Valley’s five-year anniversary cel- “We all want purpose and A Mother, Her Transgender Son and ‘Mifune: The Last Samurai’ Sab Shimono, Tamlyn Tomita and ebration, PFLAG SGV surprised connection, Tell me what breaks and Their Journey to Love and — All from documentarian Steven Julia Nickson. (Comes with Amazon Harold and Ellen with an award for Acceptance.” Okazaki, the first three are available Prime Video subscription) n OBITUARIES May 22-June 4, 2020 11

he is survived by his sons, Gary, Daryl, Christopher and Eugene; step- daughter, Lynne Marian; 2 sisters; 1 brother; gc: 10; ggc: 1.

Sasaki, Theodore, 85, Montebello, great-grandchildren. CA, Dec. 6, 2019; during World War II, his family was incarcerated at the Mitsumori, John, 96, Pasadena, Gila River WRA Center in AZ; an CA, Feb. 20; he is survived by Army veteran, he is survived by his his wife, May; children, Jonathan wife, Lilly; daughters, Susan Tuggy (Gabriela), Jack (Yumi) and Jane; sister, (Stephen), Nancy Sasaki and Kathy Mary Tajima; he is also survived by Nishihara, Sagie, 94, Vale, UT, Sasaki (Billy Gifford); brothers, Ernest many nieces, nephews and other Feb. 17; an Army veteran (MIS), he Sasaki (Aliene) and Gary (Brenda); relatives; gc: 4. was predeceased by his wife, Tomie; gc: 2. he is survived by his children, Alan Nishihara, Janet Nishihara, Mur- Sato, Carrie Kekaimikimiki Ka Collins, Shizuko, 89, Concord, NC, ray (Cindy) Nishihara and Pamela laola, 67, Kaneohe, HI. Jan. 11; she was predeceased by her Hashiguchi, Starr Miyeko Nishihara; gc: 1; ggc: 2. husband, Marvin; she is survived by Tahara, Kawaru, 78, Fountain Valley, Urakawa, 90, Seattle, WA, Dec. CA, Dec. 27, 2019. her daughter, Tami Mistry (Sanjay); 10, 2019; during WWII, her family Oshiro, Gary, 77, Gardena, CA, gc: 2. and she were incarcerated at the Jan. 15; he was predeceased by his Minidoka War Relocation Center in wife, Cheryl; he is survived by his Fujino, James, 85, Villa Park, CA, ID; she was predeceased by her hus- children, Cherie (David Johnson) Feb. 25; he is survived by his wife, band, Hachiro; she is survived by her Oshiro-Johnson and Jonathan (Anas- Elza; sons, Sergio and Mario; he is children Mia, Aya and Ko; sisters, 2; tasia) Oshiro; sister, Kimi Okayama; also survived by brothers, sisters, gc: 6; ggc: 1. he is also survived by many nieces, nieces, nephews and other relatives. nephews and other relatives; gc: 2. Kawata, Esther Maude, 97, Culver Funaku, Edmund, 90, Monterey City, CA, Feb.6; she is survived by Nishi, Kuniko Asano, 83, Clarks- Oshiro, Kei, 91, Torrance, CA, Feb. Park, CA, Jan. 13; he is survived by her children, Christine (Dennis) Ya- burg, CA, Jan. 21; she was prede- 16; during WWII, his family and he his wife, Hideyo; sister, Nora Yama- mamoto and Rick Kawata; siblings, ceased by her husband, Ellis; sisters, were incarcerated at the Heart Moun- moto; he is also survived by nieces, Amy Nakano, Helen Izuka and Hoover Kiyoko and Yoshie; she is survived tain WRA Center in WY; a Korean War nephews and other relatives. Ushiyama; gc: 1; ggc: 2. by her children, Souris, Dennis, Amy, USAF veteran, he was predeceased Reiko, Ulysses and Lillian; gc: 6. by his wives, Machiko and Rosie; Uemura, John Isao, 85, Murray, UT, Hanano, Kikuo ‘Phil,’ 82, Irvine, Kawata, Esther, 97, Culver City, CA, Dec. 4, 2019; she is survived by Jan. 15; he is survived by 2 children; Feb. 6; she is survived by her children, TRIBUTE gc: 3. many nieces, nephews, friends and Christine (Dennis) Yamamoto and other relatives. Rick Kawata; siblings, Amy Nakano, TAYEKO MORIGUCHI Watari, Shizuka, 101, Costa Mesa, Helen Izuki and Hoover Ushiyama; CA, Feb. 7. n she is also survived by many nieces, Passed away on May 2, 2020. She was 97. nephews and other relatives; gc: 1; Tayeko was one of two sisters and seven siblings in a boisterous and busy ggc: 2. Seattle family that was forcibly moved to the Minidoka Relocation Camp in 1942 due to wartime hysteria. Minidoka was full of hardships, especially PLACE A TRIBUTE for Tayeko’s father. A younger brother, Arthur, died in camp. ‘In Memoriam’ is a free Near the end of the war, Tayeko moved with her dad to St. Paul, Minn., listing that appears on a where on a blind date she met Tom Moriguchi, who had recently been limited, space-available basis. honorably discharged from Army Intelligence for his service in the China Tributes honor your loved ones Burma India Theater. Tayeko and Tom soon married and raised three with text and photos and appear children. This loving union lasted more than 50 years, until his death in 1999. in a timely manner at the rate of Tayeko was also predeceased by her son, five brothers, five sisters-in-law $20/column inch. and four brothers-in-law. She is survived by a sister; a sister-in-law; two CONTACT: Harada, Norma Evelyn, 96, Chey- daughters, Judy and Janice (Kurt) Buchanan; a granddaughter, Jenny (Joe) [email protected] enne, WY, Dec. 1, 2019; she was Nicholson; a grandson, Sam Buchanan; and numerous nieces and nephews. or call (213) 620-1767 ext. 104 predeceased by her husband, Frank, We miss her strong spirit, kind nature, perseverance in the face of and siblings, June Hino, Jimmy Kuro- adversity and injustice. She taught us to know who we are; to stick up for kawa, Leonard Kurokawa and Grant McLaren, Aiko Shinzato, 99, our rights and the rights of others; to love one another; and to cherish the Kurokawa; she is survived by her Surprise, AZ, Feb. 13; she is sur- time we have together. children, Gene (Lynette), Norman vived by her husband, Raymond; Cheerful and slow to anger, she was a great and loving mom and grandma. (Melissa), Dane, Lisa Duck (Kevin) children, Mary (Mike), George A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. and Toi (Jody); brother, Art Kurokawa; (Janis) and Linda (Rob); brother, Please send remembrances to Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins or gc: 11: ggc: 11. Kuninori (Sachiko); grandchildren and to Nikkei Project.

STACI TOJI, ESQ. TOJI LAW, APC Estate Planning for the Generations

3655 Torrance Blvd., Suite 300 | Torrance, CA 90503 (424) 247-1123 | [email protected] | www.tojilaw.com

LIVING TRUSTS | WILLS | POWERS OF ATTORNEY 12 May 22-June 4, 2020 COMMENTARY/IN-DEPTH REIMAGINE EVERYTHING CAREGIVING IN THE U.S. 2020 REPORTS CAREGIVERS IN POORER HEALTH, FEELING FINANCIAL STRAIN By Ron Mori lives,” said C. Grace Whiting, J.D., providing care, including 6 percent ing care for 21 hours or president and CEO of NAC. “Care- who are Gen Z and 23 percent who more, and one in five new study from the National givers are essential to the nation’s are Millennials. Nearly half (45 per- (21 percent) providing Alliance for Caregiving and public health, and the magnitude cent) are caring for someone with two care for 41-plus hours AARP finds that the number of millions of Americans providing or more conditions — a significant — the equivalent of a Aof family caregivers in the United unpaid care means that supporting jump from 37 percent in 2015. full-time unpaid job. States increased by 9.5 million from caregivers can no longer be ignored. Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 also “The coronavirus pan- 2015-20 and now encompasses more This research reveals that growing found: demic is exacerbating than one in five Americans. need. Family caregivers care for • Caregivers face health challenges the challenges family Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 also more people than in 2015, and they of their own: nearly a quarter (23 caregivers were already revealed that family caregivers are in take on more care responsibilities, percent) of caregivers find it hard facing from a personal worse health compared to five years as roughly one in four care for two to take care of their own health, health, financial and ago. As the demand for caregiving or more people. Many individuals our population ages and the number and 23 percent say caregiving has emotional standpoint,” said Susan of family caregivers declines.” rises with an aging population, more are caring for a longer time, with made their health worse. Reinhard, RN, Ph.D., senior vp at must be done to support this vital nearly a third (29 percent) of care- To listen to past AARP Tele-Town • Personal finances are a concern AARP. “Family caregivers provide Halls on caring for someone with work. This report highlights the givers nationwide reporting they for family caregivers: 28 percent vital help and care for their loved nearly 48 million caregivers caring have been caregiving for five years coronavirus and other related topics, have stopped saving, 23 percent ones, yet this survey shows that visit aarp.org. for someone over the age of 18 and or more — up from 24 percent in have taken on more debt and 22 they keep getting stretched thinner is available on the AARP website the last study.” percent have used up personal and thinner. We must identify and (aarp.org/uscaregiving). In addition, this new study showed Ron Mori is a member of the short-term savings. implement more solutions to sup- Washington, D.C., JACL chapter “As we face a global pandemic, that the profile of the family caregiver • On average, caregivers spend 23.7 port family caregivers — both in we’re relying on friends and fam- is changing. While caregiving spans and manager of community, states hours a week providing care, with the short term as we grapple with and national affairs — multicultural ily to care for the older adults and all generations, Caregiving in the one in three (32 percent) provid- coronavirus and in the long term as people living with disabilities in our U.S. 2020 found more young people leadership for AARP.

were reading in Life magazine or Unfortunately, Tod’s bosses had After a short stint in Boston serv- MOVEMENT » continued from page 9 seeing on TV. One of my assign- little interest in his findings and did ing as chief medical consultant on ments was to go and spy on hippies not share the report widely. a marijuana legalization test case, mation has piled up after cannabis William and give them information on what “It’s very much like the scenario Tod relocated to California in 1970, was criminalized, taken over more O’Shaughnessy kinds of influences marijuana was in ‘Planet of the Apes,’” Tod re- where he would spend the next 21 and more by the criminal justice having in this subculture that was called. “I just happened to be root- years as an attending psychiatrist entities, which substituted incor- perceived as a clear and imminent ing around in the cave and located at Everett A. Gladman Memorial rect dumbed-down information for threat to national security because all these artifacts. But as with in Hospital in Oakland. medical intelligence.” of their anti-war proclivities. I had the ‘Planet of the Apes,’ bringing In his spare time, Tod would be- Despite the evidence that the fed- been a cannabis user since 1964 and back these artifacts and showing the come one of the foremost advocates eral government had at one time had direct knowledge of the effects contemporary reigning monkeys was in the medical marijuana movement embraced an objective approach to of the drug, so it was natural that fraught with danger. Rejected, and — lobbying on behalf of and helping studying the effects of cannabis, by I would go out and visit the people in nobody really wanted to talk about to write the California legislation 1967, NIMH was mainly funding California and, in reality, recognize that, and the special interest groups upon which all medical marijuana projects with clear scientific bias. that I was really one of them, not the within the criminal justice system laws are based. Tod recalled, “They were funding people I was working with.” and their fellow travelers continued This article will continue in the searches for harmful effects and Tod continued, “I discovered to move along.” next issue of the Pacific Citizen with detection methods, and some mecha- that my mission was to find out Shortly after submitting his report, a detailed description of Dr. Tod nism of action studies. No interest anything that was wrong with it, so Tod was forced to resign when a Mikuriya’s legislative advocacy as in beneficial effects.” that we could develop a propaganda colleague informed on him for bring- it relates to the medical marijuana Projects that were funded during campaign.” ing back marijuana from Califor- movement in California and the Tod’s time with the agency, such as At the conclusion of his California nia to share with some of the other persecution he faced as a patient “Psychosocial Networks of Young, assignment, Tod wrote a report titled researchers. advocate in his later life. Dangerous Drug Users” and “Identity “Position Paper on Marihuana” that and Information Control in Social advocated for a major policy shift by Deviants,” made little effort to hide regulating marijuana under the Food the researchers’ disdain for their and Drug Administration instead of subjects. Tod expanded on the social through law enforcement. and political environment in which AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL His position urged the federal of that have disappeared, and he was frequently at odds. government to recognize the dis- 2020 TOUR SCHEDULE I learned as part of my experience “Back in 1967, this was in the similarity between addictive agents with the Feds that there is a cycle court of Lyndon B. Johnson, but KENYA WILDLIFE SAFARI HOLIDAY TOUR (Carol Hida) ...... Sep and marijuana. CLASSICAL JAPAN HOLIDAY TOUR (Ernest Hida) ...... Oct 7-19 where every 10 years or so, they go things were not well. This was the Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi, Nagoya, Gifu-Cormorant fishing, Hiroshima, Kyoto. An excerpt from his report reads: through and purge the files.” height of the Vietnam War protests, PAINTED CANYONS OF THE WEST TOUR (Elaine Ishida) ...... Oct 4-12 “Classification of marijuana use as Denver, Grand Junction, Bryce-Zion Canyon National Park, Springdale-Utah, Tod would also learn that despite we had just had the 1966 Summer a psychosocial rather than a crimi- Arches–Canyonland-Capitol Reef-Grand Staircase National Parks, Las Vegas the 1937 prohibition of marijuana use of Love going on in San Francisco. OKINAWA HOLIDAY TOUR (Ernest Hida) ...... Nov 11-20 nal problem will facilitate a more Naha, Onnason, Islands of Ishigaki, Iriomote and Taketomo. among the public, medical cannabis Communes were springing up all rational and scientific approach to For more information and reservations, please contact: was only removed from the U.S. over the place in California, and you understanding, education and control. AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL pharmacopeia in 1940. can imagine the stimulated fantasies Critical research, particularly reliable 312 E. 1st Street, Suite 240 * Los Angeles, CA 90012 “At this point in time, we are of the repressed departmentalized epidemiologic studies, would be- Tel: (213)625-2232 * Email: [email protected] blocked from the knowledge of ex- employees in the federal system,” come possible if there were no legal Ernest or Carol Hida Elaine Ishida (Tel: 714-269-4534) actly how cannabis was taken off the Tod recalled. “They were clueless sanctions against self-identification formulary in 1940,” Tod recalled. — all they knew was what they “As a result, all sorts of bad infor- of users.”