THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016
Representing the senior attendees at . ~ the P.omona Assembly Center ~ ,- , • dedication l ash ASanO. I
» PAGE 6 » PAGE 8 Manzanar holds its 71 st reunion in Saburo and Ann Sasaki are honored Las Vegas. by the National Park Service.
#3283/VOL.163, No.4 ISSN: 0030-8579 WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG 2 Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 LETTERS/SPRING CAMPAIGN PACIFIC. CITIZEN
Dear Editor, HOW TO REACH US LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Email: [email protected] I felt compelled to write in response to the Online: www.pacificcitizen.org Dear Editor, two letters in the July 29-Aug 11 edition of Tel: (213) 620-1767 Somehow, the statements "Blue Lives the Pacific Citizen that were angry about the Fax: (213) 620-1768 We were appalled and angered to read in the }..htter" or "All Lives 1-iatter" have grown as National Youth/Student Council awarding Mail: 123 Ellison S. OnizukaSI., July 29 issue of the Pacific Citizen two Letters opposition chants to those working to uplift their Vision Award to the Los Angeles chapter Suite 313 Los Angeles, CA90012 to the Editor protesting the awarding of the the African-American community. Blue Lives of Black Lives 1-iatter. Vision Award by the National Youth/Student }..htter is a sentiment supported by our media, I, forone, wasveryproud of the youth notonly STAFF Council to Black Lives 1futter Los Angeles lawmakers, justice systems and pension plans Executive EditCf for having a passion forthe civil rights of other Allison Haramoto and branding Bhek Lives 1futteras promoting in a way that makes itan obvious statement. communities besides ourown, but also thewill• violence against police across America. There Busin ess Manager In contrast, Black Lives 1-iatter is a mantra ingness to take a stand. The only way that our Susan Yd<: oyam a was an array of frightening, unjust and untrue that we, as thoughtful and caring community organization can remain relevant is to actually sentiments that were expressed in those letters Production Artist members, and JACL as an organization, must speak out decisively against the actions of those Mari e Sammte that needed to be responded to. As dedicated repeat because of the consistent lack of reper• individuals who do not respect the civil rights Circu lat ion and proud members of JACL, the oklest and cussions for police officers who have over• of every person. Eva Ting largest Asian American civil rights organiza• stepped their role as keepers of the peace and tion in the United States, we are writing this sworn upholders ofthe Constitution and instead » See LETTER 2 on page 12 The Pacific Citizen newsp8.pef (ISSN 003[)'8579) is pJljished letter to speak out against this divisive and perpetuate a state of fear and violence within s em~ m mt hl y (exce j1: once in racist rhetoric by members of JACL against the black community. The shooters in both Dear Editor, Decem ber and J anu ary) by the our black brothers and sisters, and frankly, Baton Rouge and Dallas were killed and later Japanese American atizoos During the WWII incarceration, seven Issei the white supremacy and entrenched racism found to have no connections to Black Lives LeagJe. Pacific Citizen, and Nisei men who were hekl behind barbed 123 EllisonS Olizuka SI . Sui te 313 in them. }..htter. I n fact, 71 percent of the police who wire without charges or trial were shot to death Los AnQ9es. CA 9)]12 There is a huge misunderstanding of the goals have been shot and killed so far in 2016 have by Army sentries. In each homicide case, the Pe"" icdcal pJstagepaid at LA . CA sought out by BLM leaders. Phrases like "cop been shotby white men. To attributetheactions POSTMASTER: Send aOJess military police were acquitted or the cases not haters" and "criminals" are not accurate de• of single gunmen who have no affiliations with ch anges to Natimal JACL. 1765 brought to trial. scriptions of either BLM activists or the many Black Lives }..htter is dangerous, incorrect and Suite"" Sl . San Frand sco. CA 94 115 One can imagine that the camp inmates at A frican-Americans who are now dead after completely undermines any progress we have JACL President: Gary Mayeda Topaz, 1-ianzanar, Tule Lake, Lordsburg and interactions with police. Black Lives 1-iatter made th us far to end violence against the bhck Interim Executive Director: furt Sill must have felt powerless in the face of Bill Yosh ino is not an anti-police organization. It does not community in this country. Black Lives 1-iatter these violent tragedies in which inquests were Interim Assistant Executive promote violence against the police. It is an is something that still needs to be enacted to not performed, open trials not held and shooters Director: Step'1ani e Nitahara anti-police brutality organization. The move• make All Lives 1-iatter a true statement acq uitted and allowed to go free. RC. EDITORIAL BOARD ment has made it very clear in its actions, web• Although JACL was formed in 1929 to ad• To the imprisoned people, it must have felt Leooa Hiraoka. EDC; Jc:>dJ Mitai. site, protests and rallies that they are calling dress discrimination against our own com• MDC; Joy Geto. ceDC; Ji m Duff. like their lives had little value in the eyes of the for an end to the injustices perpetrated by law munity of Japanese Americans, the current NCWNPO C; S'leld:xl Arakaki. U S. justice system. They must have wanted to enforcement on communities of color. mission of JACL is to safeguard the civil and PN WDC; Rh anna Tani gJdli. IDC; say to the military and civilian authorities who Miche lle Yam ash iro. PS WDC ; I n manyofthesecases, black men enter inter• human rights of Asian and Pacific Islander took them from their homes and confined them, Nicole Gactle an d Keta Mizutan i. actions with police for nonserious/nonthreat• Americans and all communities who are af• "Our lives matter, too" - or, perhaps, in today 's yooth relX ening reasons and end up arrested, severely fected by injustice and bigotry. It has expanded parlance: ''Yellow Lives 1-iatter." SUBSCRIBE injured and, in too many cases, dead. Although its scope to fighting for the civil rights of Asian Such a view doesn't mean that "all lives" don't GEt a me-year SLbsc ri j1: ion ct the it may be illegal, changing lanes without a American and other minority communities. It n ew ~ aper matter. It doesn't mean that police or sentry Pacific Citizen at turn signal does not carry the death penalty, was one of the first organizations in 2001 to www.pe.cificcitizen.org Cf call lives don't matter. It asserts that society is not although it was enough to kill Sandra Bland protest the surveillance of Muslims after 9/11 (21 3 ) 620- 1767 upholding equal justice for all its citizens. in Texas. Selling loose cigarettes should not and has continuously fought for LGBTQ rights. I support the National Youth/Student have killed E ric Garner in New York. Slashing Have we somehow forgotten that during World ADVERTlSE Council's decision to award the Los Angeles tires should not have killed laquan 1-kDonakl War II, Japanese Americans saw themselves To adverti se in the Pacific Citizen. chapter of Black Lives }..htter and thank them call (213) 620-1767 Cf e- mail in Chicago. And carrying a plastic gun most the target of horrific racial profiling, very simi• for joining in solidarity with BLM, one of the pc@ pacifi NAME: ______4r-ttl«t«.- ,,,"",,,,>",,JACL MEMBERS Change of Address ADDRESS: II you've mCNed, please send new CITY , STATE, ZIP: inlormaiion to: National JACL 1765 Sutter St. PHONE: San Francisco, CA94115 • (415) 921-5225 EMAIL: ______~ ext. 26 Allow 6 weeks lor MAIL PACIFIC CITIZEN FOR MORE INFORMATION: address changes. 123 Ellison S Onizuka St Phon e (213) 62'0-1767 avdd interruptions Suite 313, Los A ng eles , CA90012 TO: Web W'NW.pacificcitizenorg in delivery, ~ ~p:'~e:~a~":;~",oI~:i;I~ to includeY your More than ever, your tax·deductible funds will help preserve the legacy of the Pacific Citizen. Donations of $150 or more will 1 you, be entered in a monthly drawing for a box of "Fugetsu-Do" Japanese manju delivered to the winner's door. of address ...... Form 3575) PACIFIC' CITIZEN COMMENTARY Aug. 26-Sepl. 8, 2016 3 NIKKEI VOICE THE MILE HIGH CHAPTER OF JACL ALMOST DISBANDED, BUT VOTED TO STAY THE COURSE By Gil Asakawa Derek Okubo, executive director of the City of Denver's shocked when JACL announced unilateral support for Agency for Human Rights and Community P.utnerships. the Trans-Facific Partnership and coming out against mentioned in my previous column that I attended the Derek served as facilitator, keeping the meeting on track and Net :Neutrality, without polling chapters or members. July JACL National Convention with low expectations moving along. JACL releases many such statements, but they're usually but left feeling hopeful about JACL. My feelings for the I about obvious civil rights issues in the news - the shoot• The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and vote to organization had become so low, in fact, that earlier this year, choose one of three options for the future of the chapter: ing of a black teenager, attacks against Muslims. Although I opted not to renew my membership. I quit JACL. continue as a JACL chapter as we have for decades; leave plenty of people point out that issues like Net :Neutrality I renewed my membership after all when I was asked to JACL but continue the chapter under a new name and dif• and TFP are very much civil rights issues because they can participate on the plenary session about the Pacific Citi• ferent sponsorship (or no sponsorship) so we can continue ultimately impact people, and people of color especially, zen, and then asked by :Mile High to represent the chapter our cultural and advocacy work as a group; or disband the negatively, these seemed statements seemed focused on in the National Council sessions. Ironically, the only vote chapter altogether and allow all of us to either quit JACL or political issues and left room for critics to wonder if they I wasn't able to participate in was the one about the P.e. stay as at-large members without a chapter. reflected potential JACL sponsors more than its members. because of an administrative mix-up, and because someone The meeting was long and the discussion substantial. Part of the problem is that National JACL leadership checked to see if I was a properly registered replacement Both newly elected National Board President Gary 1-hyeda seemed to have grown less and less transparent and more for Mile High's original delegates. I was, but not at first. I wasn't allowed to cast my vote, but the P.e. resolution and Intermountain District Council Governor Janet Komoto and more like a centralized group of power-wielders called in and gave their perspectives on why we should who made decisions for the rest of us and let the decisions passed anyway. remain part of JACL. trickle down. It didn't feel like a trickle-up membership On Aug. 21, the Mile High chapter held a four-hourlong This plan to quit JACL has been bubbling for at least organization anymore. general membership meeting. Twenty-two people attended, two years. Under JACL's previous national leadership, our including a non-JACL member who gave oome input, and chapter board had begun to feel marginalized. We were »See MILE HIGH on page 12 A MOTHER'S TAKE THE POWER OF ONE VOICE By Marsha Aizumi Two weeks later, I received an email from a young gay and excited about the direction that our lives our moving (The following commentary was intended originally man who had been struggling with his parents and came to - and,for the first time in a long time, hopeful that 1 will to be published in the July 29-Aug.ll edition of the the Seattle presentation. He said that he was "able to twist be able to have the relationship with my mother that I've Pacific Citizen.) my parents' arms" into attending the workshop. Here is an always wanted." excerpt from his email, which he has given me permission arlier this month, I traveled to Seattle to speak at the to share: Again, I saw the power of one voice. Here was a son who National Queer API Rtmily Acceptance Workshop. continued to love his parents and wanted to bring them along E To be honest, I used to think traveling was so glam• "I was really nervous going into the workshop because 1 on this journey with him. Can you imagine how much cour• orous and exciting. After many years of getting on a plane, wasn't sure how my parents would respond, but they seemed age it took for him to invite them to this event and then sit experiencing jet lag and lugging my suitcase all over the to have approached it with an open mind and the group's through the presentation wondering how they were receiving country, I no longer see the glamour or the excitement of it. kindness won them over. 1 cannot thank you enough, Marsha the information? Can you imagine how much hope he now But there is always one moment on every trip where I come and Manjula, for sharing your stories with the group that has that his family can have the relationship he was afraid he back knowing I have witnessed the power of our voices. gathered in Seattle two weeks ago. 1 think it really affected lost, but never gave up believing he could have? I have seen the courage that love can produce or how an my parents - and was thefirst time they were in a room with I share these two stories with you because I didn't believe open heart can magically result in more compassion and real, live API parents of LGBTQ children. The openness, one voice could make a difference before, and now I see over connection. In Seattle, I had two such moments. And as I warmth and love with which you spoke about your children and over again that we as individuals do have power to cre• prepare to travel to Louisiana, I feel a renewed commitment and the frankness with which you related your own journeys ate change. In November, we will have a chance to make our to do this work because of these two families. has without doubt helped my parents find strength in their voices heard by voting for our next president of the United The first moment came after a panel of parents had shared own Journeys. States. I hope you will use your voice to vote for the person their stories at this workshop. We always follow up our "After the event, 1 had dinner with my family for the first who you believe will build connections between us all and storytelling with a Q & A (Question and Answer) period. At time in several weeks. (I had largely been avoiding them not divide us through fear and hate. I hope you will use your the end of the IS-minute Q & A, one man raised his hand to because being with them always seemed to bring into voice to make sure family members register to vote and then speak. He shared how his wife made him attend this event. sharp, painful focus the internal conflict 1 felt between my actually go out and cast their ballot We alliau ghed because we understand that feeling of having Chinese identity and my gay one.) My mother walked me to I am sure you know who I will vote for. It is not the one to go to something we may not be so thrilled to attend. my car after dinner, and - for the first time - we had a real who thinks it was OK for my parents to have been put in Then he went on to thank the panel for their openness in conversation about my personal life. She told me how she internment camps or for that to happen to any other groups. sharing their stories, so he better understands what families worried about me being lonely, how she disapproved of my It is not the one who would make the world more danger• go through if they have a LGBTQ child. From now on, he most recent boyfriend - not because he was a man, but ous for my son and many of the children of my family and announced he will no longer be silent on the subject, but he because her maternal instincts had cried out to her that he friends. It is the one who will continue to bring hope to me, will share what he has learned. would ultimately hurt me. Funny how good that motherly as a mother of a trans gender son, a mother of two Nikkei What I noticed the most as he expressed his feelings was disapproval that others complain about can feel after years sons and a mother who wants to see a future where the world his wife sitting next to him with tears rolling down her face. of silence. is filled with more love. She had asked her husband to come to this event, and in spite "When we said goodbye, she leaned infor a hug - it was of his reluctance, she had persisted. In that moment, she the first time we have hugged in my adult memory. We've Marsha Aizumi is an advocate in the LGBT community was experiencing the result of her courage. I was moved to seen each otherafew times since then in the last two weeks, and the author of the book "Two Spirits, One Heart: A tears as he spoke and as she cried. One voice can make a and have now made a habit of hugging each other goodbye. Mother, Her Transgender Son and Their Journey to Love difference. 1 am too scared to celebrate quite yet, but 1 am so happy and Acceptance." 4 Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 NATIONAL/COMMUNITY PACIFIC. CITIZEN MATT 'MEGATOAD' STONIE APAs in the News/NewsBytes WINS GYOZA-EATING Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard Win Hawaii's Democratic Primaries ,....----_PHOTO:...... ALAN MIYATAKE HONOLULU - Colleen Hanabusa won the Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional CHAMPIONSHIP District, earning 74,013 votes (80.37 percent) att Stonie consumed 323 gyoza in and Tulsi Gabbard emerged victorious in the 10 minutes to win the 2016 Worl d 2nd Congressional District with 80,020 votes M Gyoza Eating Championship and (84.53 percent) in the Aug. 13 election. Hanabusa was among several candidates the $5,000 grand prize at Little Tokyo's HANABUSA GABBARD Japanese American Cultural and Commu• vying to succeed Rep. Mark Takai, who passed nity Center Plaza on Aug. 20. away in July from pancreatic cancer. The 1st district covers the southeastern parts of the Presented by Day-Lee Foods and co• City and the County of Honolulu. Hanabusa also armounced that she will run in a special sponsored by Kikkoman, the event attracted election to serve the last two months of Takai's tenn. world-class competitive eaters, among them Gabbard, the first Samoan American congressman and the first Hindu member of the favorite Stonie, who captured his first Congress, made headlines recently when she broke away from the Democratic Party Major League Eating title since May. He is establishinent and openly supported Bernie Sanders' bid for president. Her district currently the No.2-ranked competitive eater covers rural Oahu and all of the other islands. in the world. Geoffrey Esper finished in second place Federal Regulators Propose to Ban Swimming With Dolphins in Hawaii with 243 gyoza, followed by Miki Sudo with Matt Stonie ate 323 gyoza in 10 229, Gideon Oji with 183 and Juan Rodri• HONOLULU - Federal regulators are proposing to ban swimming with dolphins in minutes to win the 2016 World guez with 181. All proceeds from the event Hawaii, a move that could imperil one of the Aloha State's most popular tourist delights Gyoza Eating Championship in benefitted the Nisei Week Foundation. and the industry that has sprung up around it. Little Tokyo on Aug. 20. Showing his trademark speed and strength, The National Marine Fisheries Service says Hawaii's spinner dolphins - the nocturnal the San Francisco-born, 5-foot-8-inch, species that humans usually frolic with - are being deprived of rest during the day and 130-pound Stonie, who is half-Japanese eating 53 hot dogs to Chestnut's 70. becoming stressed out. and half-Eastern European, ate his way to Stonie currently holds several food world Swimming with dolphins is popular with visitors and some locals, with dozens of victory and emerged atop the podium in just records, among them: 182 slices of bacon in companies on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island operating dolphin tours daily. 10 minutes. five minutes, 241 Hooters Chicken Wings in The proposed rule could shut down or greatly disrupt the industry as it now operates, Among his career highlights, Stonie de• 10 minutes and 25 McDonald's Big Macs in as the ban would cover waters out to 2 nautical miles, which is where 98 percent of feated eight-time defending Nathan's Hot 22 minutes. Hawaii's spinner dolphins rest after they've spent the night feeding. Dog Eating Contest champion Joey Chest• The Gyoza Championship marked its 10th The agency plans to hold public meetings on the proposal next month and expects to nut in 2015 by eating 62 hot dogs to Chest• year in Little Tokyo, and to date, more than make a final decision on the regulations next year. nut's 60; Stonie lost his crown this year to 17,000 gyoza have been consumed during No. I-ranked Chestnut at the July 4 contest, the armual contest. • Ichiro Suzuki Donates 3,000-Hit Souvenirs to Baseball Hall of Fame MIAMI - The president of the Baseball Hall of Fame was the grateful recipient Aug. 8 as !chiro Suzuki, 42, handed over his gear - a jersey, a pair of cleats, his arm guard and batting gloves, all APPLY NOW FOR THE items he wore while becoming the 30th player in Major League Baseball to reach 3,000 hits. When the exchange concluded, the two men bowed to each other, DECEMBER 2016 AND MARCH a fitting gesture to celebrate the bridge from Japan to Cooperstown. The Suzuki collection at the Hall of Fame numbered more than two-dozen items even 2017 JACL KAKEHASHI TRIPS before his triple Aug. 7 at Colorado, which made him the first Japanese player to reach 3,000 hits. When he and his teammates returned to Marlins Park to begin a home stand, PHOTO: LISA VANORDEN ---- -. ~~ r---~rn HOF President Jeff Idelson was there to collect additional Suzuki souvenirs. Following his historic accomplishinent, Suzuki was named National League Player of the Week. It was the fifth time overall for Suzuki and his first since September 2012. Tokyo Olympics 2020: A 'Safe Pair of Hands' Even as Costs Spiral TOKYO - Tokyo was clearly the most reassuring choice when it was selected over Istanbul and Madrid in 2013 for the 2020 Summer Games. Japan's capital city even billed itself as a "safe pair of hands" at a time of global unrest and economic turmoil. Now that the Rio Games are over, Japan is focusing more than TOKYO 2020 ever on preparing Tokyo for the 2020 Games. Japan hopes the Olympics will boost tourism and the economy, as QQ5) well as show off the country's technology, from driverless cars to supersharp 8K televisions. March 2016 JACL Kakehashi participants But ballooning costs remain an issue. Newly elected Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has pledged to rein in costs, recently stating that her team must become world-class cost accountants so that the Olympics don't hobble future generations with debt. WASHINGTON, D.e. - JACL is now standing currently enrolled in an accredited Some events have already been moved to existing facilities in the suburbs to avoid the accepting applications for the Dec. 12-20, college or university OR a young profes• cost of building new ones; competition sites are spread around Tokyo and the sWTounding 2016, and March 13-21, 2017, Kakehashi sional who has completed a minimum of a area rather than being in Olympic parks. trips to Japan. bachelor's degree from an accredited coll ege And then there's the heat. Tokyo in August is famously hot and humid, and organizers Sel ected students will attend a nine-day or university; (2) between the ages of 18-25 are busy devising ways to keep athletes and fans cool. The 1964 Tokyo Games were held trip to Japan where they will visit cultural years old; (3) Japanese American or Asian in October. and historic sites, participate in lectures American heritage. and workshops and experience a number of Applications must be submitted by Oct. 1. traditional and cultural activities. For more information and to apply} visit - P.C. Staff and Associated Press Applicants must be (1) a student in good https:llkakehashijacl.org. PACIFIC. CITIZEN IN-DEPTH Aug. 26-Sepl. 8, 2016 5 POMONA ASSEMBLY CENTER HOLDS PH OTCB: PATT I ~ " 5! "AA' DEDICATION CEREMONY A commemorative plaque honors Japanese Americans detained at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds during WWII. By Patti Hirahara, Contributor n commemoration of the closing of the Fbmona I Assembly Center on Aug. 24, 1942, the Fair• plex, the actual center site, unveiled thePomonaAssem• bly Center plaque honoring Japanese More than 100 people attended the plaque dedication Americans detained at the Los An geles County at the Fairplex, which commemorated the 74th anniver• Fairgrounds during World War II on Aug. 24, the 74th sary of the closing of the Pomona Assembly Center. anniversary ofthe center's closing. With more than 100 guests in attendance, speakers at the dedication included Consul General of Japan AkiIa "My feelings were very complicated," he said. "I felt sad, Chiba; Tina Loza, director of the Los Angeles County guilty, embarrassed for my country that wedid such acts, acts Fair Assn.; William Fujioka, member of the Los Angeles that were against every principle, every creed we believe in County Fair Assn. whose family was held at Pomona; and profess to follow. I felt humbled and so much admiration Dwight Richards, Rtirplex vp of operations; Bacon Sakatani, temporary assembly centers established during Workl War for the internees who handled it with such bravery, strength chair of the Fbmona Assembly Center Committee who was II pursuant to Executive Order 9066, signed by President and dignity. I do not know how they had the strength to sur• sent to Fbmona with his family and returned there after the Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942. vive the camp and rebuild their lives from nothing. As presi• war; and U.S. Army Capt Joseph Davis, commander of the "This is part of our history at Fairplex," according to dent along with VP Deborah Clifford and our members, we San Gabriel Yalley Recruiting Co. Richards. We felt that the installation of the plaque would felt honored to have had a small part in creating the plaque, Consul General Chiba expressed his sentiments during the provide a place for the families and all involved to find peace, and we hope it will help to ensure that our nation never ceremony: "Nothing can reverse the suffering that Japanese closure and a place to reflect The Los Angeles County Rtir makes this mistake again. We felt so proud to be associated Americans experienced during WWII under internment, but Assn. feels that this recognition is long overdue." with the Japanese American community at the event" as with the granting of redress and reparations from the U.S. The Fbmona Assembly Center held people from Califor• In August 1942, the majority of the Pomona Assembly government under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, I hope nia's Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa ChIa Counties. Center detainees were relocated to Heart 1-kluntain, Wyo., that today 's dedication will offer some measure of peace "The plaque will let people know of how 5,514 of us were one of 10 relocation camps that collectively confined and healing through acknowledgement of the pain that so unfairly treated by the hysteria and discrimination of that 120,000 people without due process of law, charges or trial or many experienced. One of the greatest developments after time," said Sakatani, who represented the people who were establishment of guilt as a result of hysteria and racism. WWII has been the evolution ofthe U.S.-Japan rehtionship, held at the center. "The Pomona Assembly Center is proba• Said retired newsman Joe Blackstock: "When I started which has led to the two countries working 'hand in hand' bly oneofthe least-known places, and now we have a plaque researching the Pomona Assembly Center at the Fairplex to advance and defend democratic values. Two once bitter that will let the people know what happened here." about 14 years ago, I was struck by the almost total absence enemies now form one of the strongest alliances maintain in g Sakatani also has worked to preserve ties to Heart of infonnation or history about the place. Something that so peace in the world. fur this, Japan owes a debt of gratitude Mountain as well as anything related to its history. changed the lives of so many people was mostly forgotten. to Japanese Americans, who have always been and continue With the assistance of the FbmonaAssembly Center Com• Creating a pennanent recognition that the camp existed, that to be crucial bridge buiklers in the bihteral relationship. This mittee, the Historical Society ofFbmona Yalley, the Fairplex a group of people were locked up more due to terror than woukl not have been possible without the tremendous sacri• and others, this plaque dedication has become a reality. good judgment - this is important." fices and resilience of Japanese Americans in the midst of Mickey Gallivan, president of the Historical :SOciety of As California Registered Historical Landmark #934, it is great hardship. I extend my deepest gratitude." Pomona Valley, offered his sentiments during the dedication hoped, with this dedication, that such injustice and sufferin g The Los Angeles County Fairgrounds was one of 15 ceremony. never recur agaill. • Members of the Historical Society of Pomona who worked to make the plaque a reality include Program speakers included (from left) Consul (from left)John Clifford, member of the board of directors; Deborah Clifford, vp; Bruce Guter, General Akira Chiba, Fairplex VP of Operations friend of the society; Mickey Gallivan, president; Jim Gallivan , board member and commissioner of Dwight Richards and Bacon Sakatani, chair of the Pomona Historical Preservation; and Joe Blackstock , retired Daily Bulletin reporter who the Pomona Assembly Center Committee. wrote many articles supporting the center's recognition. 6 Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 IN-DEPTH PACIFIC. CITIZEN Decades following World War 11,200 guests attend the 71st Manzanar Reunion in Las Vegas, By Charles James, Contributor t is almost hard to imagine the strong bond held by the more than 100 incarcerees from the 1hnzanar War I Relocation Camp and other relocation camps during World War II that brings them together some 71 years hter. They smile. They hu gh. And they share fond memories of their youth in the camps. 11any have remained close friends, often even neighbors, through all the intervening years since More than 200 guests attended the 71st annual Manzanar Reunion at the California the camps' closin gs. Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Two hundred guests, 25 more than last year, attended the 71st 1hnzanar Reunion, held at the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from Aug. 8-10. 1funzanar had 78 former internees attend the reunion with an additional 22 guests joining them from other relocation camps such as Gila and Poston internment camps in Arizona, Amache Intern• ment Camp in CokHado, Heart }..k)untain Internment Camp in Wyoming, Jerome and Rohwer camps in Arkansas, Tule Lake Internment Camp in California, :Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho and Topaz Internment Camp in Utah. The other 100 guests were family membelS, friends and National PaIk &rvice staff from the 1-hnzanar National Historic Site, who many view as friends and "family." One would expect the number of survivolS of the camps to be Iapidly dwindling - and there is some truth to that - as many, even those born in the camps, are now over 70 yealS old. 1-hny of those in attendance at the 1-hnzanar Reunion are well into their 80s and 90s. There were even two guests that were 100 and 102! Butdespitetheiradvancing age, there Joe Ozaki was sent to Manzanar at the age of 15 was an energetic mingling of former internees going from (1942-45) from Boyle Heights, Calif. His wife, Mary, There were two Robert FUjiokas at the reunion. table to table to visit and share their common memories, as was sent to Poston, Ariz. They've been married for Although not related, both men have personal connections to Manzanar. well as catch up on what has happened in the past year. 64 years and have four children. When the attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii took place on Dec. 7, 1941, by the Imperial Japanese Navy, there was fear, shock, an ger and hysteria in the United States. The Japanese American War Relocation CentelS were quickly established, and it did not matter whether you were an American citizen or not All that mattered was that you "looked like the enemy." You were "different," and you were of "Japanese descent." World "War II - as walS often do - brought out both the best and the WOlSt in people: a common cause and sacrifice to fight against a common enemy in the defense of freedom and a democratic way of life, but also it brought out fear, un• founded bigotry and an unprecedented usurpation of human and civil rights against loyal Japanese American citizens who should have been affomed the benefit of any doubt as were many Italian and Gennan American citizens who were not placed in concentIation camps despite their ancestry. The 1-hnzanar War Relocation Center was the largest and best-known of the 10 concentIation camps, with 10,000 in• carcerees kept behind barbed-wire fences. The camps were established throughout the country to house those accused of nothing more than having Japanese ancestry and by ex• tension, falsely accused of having a loyalty to Japan that none of them felt. To be an "American" - being "a good, loyal citizen" - and to be living in America was a source of The FUjioka Clan includes (front row, from Jeft) Shizuko FUjioka, Robert FUjioka, Margaret FUjioka, Auntie great pride despite the ill-treatment by their government and Fumiko "Fudge" FUjioka, Dave FUjioka, Mary Ellen Wong and (back row, from Jeft) Sei Miyano, Ed Cababa, fellow citizens. Grace Kunitomi, Dale Kunitomi, Colleen Miyano and Kerry Cababa. PACIFIC' CITIZEN IN-DEPTH Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 7 Attendees of the 71st Manzanar Reunion per the Rafu Shimpo in Los Angeles, which has served the socialize during the 1hnzanar :Mixer held on Monday night Japanese American community of &)llthern California for and then again at the banquet held on Tuesday night The more than 113 years. ranger staff at the 1hnzanar Historic Site, this year led by The older Robert Fujioka at the reunion was only 16 years Alisa (Lynch) Broch, chief of interpretation, gave an update old when he was sent to 1hnzanar in 1942 with his family. on improvements and future plans for the national park site He would only stay in the camp for a year before leaving and had the guests laughing at historical photographs that for Chicago to attend high school, haveling with a group of featured some of old sports team photos from the camp. 10 or 15 other older internees who were going there to at• A tribute to Sam Ono, a member of the 1hnzanar Re• tend college or look for work. Robert was the youngest of union Committee since 1996, was given by Rosie (1furuki) the group and the only one going to high school in Chicago Kakuuchi in honor of his artwolk and his work on exhibits because he did not like the high school in the camp. He said, at the 1funzanar Historic Site. The scale model of1funzanar, "I was literally on my own from the time I left 1hnzanar as which is one of the most popular exhibits, was done under my family was being still kept at 1hnzanar." his leadership. In 2007, he produced and narrated a DVD He started high school in Chicago, wolking after hours called "Small Town USA" about life in 1funzanar. Ono is a to support himself. When the group's sponsor, }..fr. Temple, quiet, unpretentious man, with a great sense of humor, and died of a heart attack after their arrival in Chicago, Robert he is well-loved and appreciated by the 1funzanar Reunion Ted Yamane (Manzanar) and his wife, Midori (Heart said, "I was told that I had to leave the city because I had no Committee. Mountain), met at a bowling alley after the war and sponsor." He moved to :Minneapolis to finish high school, Reunions such as the 71st 1funzanar gathering are increas• have been married 61 years. Joe Ozaki and Ted grad uatin g in 1943 while working at night at a foundry shov• ingly important as time, age and failing health are greatly Yamane were neighbors sharing the same barrack eling charcoal and later at a granary to support himself. After reducin g the n umber of survivors from the relocation camps. block at Manzanar and have remained friends (and high school, he started college after being told the Navy and It's hoped that, while many of that generation have passed neighbors) today. Air Force would not let him enlist A quarter and a half into on, those remaining will see their memories of their time in college, with the war still going on in Europe, he was drafted camps continue to be kept alive by family and friends. Help• into the Army, serving two years in the infantry and avoided ing them are the historians and rangers ofthe 1funzanar His• being deployed to Europe because the war ended. toric Site who are determined that the story of1hnzanarand Fujioka returned to West Los Angeles, where he lived in its internees be kept alive for future generations of American a boarding house and attended the University of Southern citizens so that no one is ever again forced to live behind the California on the G.I. Bill, majoring in industrial design. barbed wire of concentration camps and be deprived of their While living in West Los Angeles, Robert Fujioka said constitutional rights. • he knew of the Yoshiro "Babe" and Shizuko Fujioka family (the "other" Robert Fujioka at the reunion) because they lived across the street from the boarding house where AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL he stayed. He met with the "other Fujioka 2016 TOUR SCHEDULE family " while at the reunion. China Silk Road Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida). .Sep 12-23 Robert's wife, 1hry (nee llinda), was sent Beijing, Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang. to 1hnzanar at the beginning of the war when British Landscapes Holiday Tour (Elaine Ishida) . Sep 12-21 Arnold Maeda (Jeft) was sent to Manzanar at the age she was 11-112 years old, but unlike his brief England, Scotland, Wales. of 15 (April 1942-Sept 1945). He is picbJred with his stay there, she was in the camp from 1942 un• younger brother, filmmaker Brian Maeda. Korea Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida) Oct 4-17 til August of 1945. They met when her family Seoul, Nami Island, Sokcho, Daegu, Gyeongju, Busan, Cheju Island, moved to West Los Angeles when 1hnzanar Gwangju, Daejon, Suwon, KBS Drama Center, DMZ Tour. 1hny of those attending the reunion were children in closed, and according to Robert, she walked New England Autumn Holiday Tour (Elaine Ishida) Oct 11-18 the camp, and while many older internees have conflicting by his boarding house one day, and he called Boston, Woodstock, Stowe-Vermont, North Conway-- out to her, ''What's your name?" and that, as emotions, the younger ones often have fond memories of New Hampshire, Boothbay Hamor, Kennebunkport-Maine. their time there. he said with a grin, "was the beginning of a Kyushu-Shikoku Holiday Tour (Ernest Hida) . . Oct 27-Nov 9 Shizuko Fujioka (nee Sakihara), a graduate of the 1fun• beautiful relationship that has lasted through Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Ibusuki, Kagoshima, zanar High School class of 1945, returned to the annual 60 years of marriage." They have one son Miyazaki, Beppu, Matsuyama, Kochi, Takamatsu, Shado Island, reunion accompanied by her son, Robert Fujioka, and her whose name is 1furk. Tokushima, Osaka. daughter, 1hrgaret Fujioka, who was elected to theAlameda One-hundred-year-old, former 1funzanar in• New Orleans Get-Away Tour (Carol Hida) Dec 12-16 County Superior Court in June and will take office as a new ternee &chico Hiroyama traveled from Ore• One hotel, City Tour, New Orleans Cooking School-Dinner, Superior Court Judge in January 2017. gon to attend the reunion once again this year. Cajun Swamp Tour. There were two Robert Fujiokas at the reunion, both with a She was sent to the 1hnzanar War Relocation For more information and reservations, please contact: connection to 1hnzanar. A younger Robert Fujioka was the Center near Lone Pine, Calif., from Terminal AMERICAN HOLIDAY TRAVEL son of Shizuko Fujioka (nee Sakihara) and Yoshiro "Babe" Island when she was 27 years old. She has a 312 E. 1st Street, Suite 330 " Los Angeles, CA 90012 F ujioka. Babe Fujioka was incarcerated at Heart 1-kluntain lively and spalkling personality. 1funy of the TeL: (213)625-2232 " EmaiL: americanholiday@attnet Relocation Center and was the son of Shiro Fujioka, a for• reunion guests enjoyed just sitting down with Ernest or Carol Hida or Elaine Ishida (Tel: 714-269-4534 mer newspaper editor of the Japanese-language newspa- her to talk about her life. There were plenty of opportunities to (CST 1200326-1 0) 8 Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 COMMENTARY/NATIONAL PACIFIC. CITIZEN REIMAGINE EVERYTHING FALLS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF FATAL INJURIES FOR OLDER PEOPLE ByRonMori than the number of deaths that would occur each year if, independence, self-determination, dignity and choice. '11 never forget the early morning call from my 85-year• once every week, a full 747 airliner were to crash, killing We can stem the tide. 1-1ost falls are preventable. It is old aunt. She had tripped over a bathroom rug in the all aboam. vital that we all learn all we can about things we must do in I middle of the night and couldn 't get up. She waited An accidental fall can happen to anyone. Current our homes and in our communities to make our loved ones until morning to call and tell us she needed help because she presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when she was safe and keep them safe. In fact, more than half of all falls didn 't want to wake us up and was afraid ifshe called 911, Secretary of State, the late former First lady Nancy Reagan, occur right in our own homes. the Chicago Fire Department would come and break down the late former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, The top four things we can do to reduce the risk of falls are: 1) Ex ercise - for strength, flexibility and balance; 2) her front door. It was a wake-up call in so many ways. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Supreme Make our surroundings safe - with home modifications Falls can cause serious injury and death atany age, butthey Court Justice &:lnia Sotomayor are all among those who are a particularly serious hazard for older people. In fact, were hospitalized after serious falls. like shower grab bars and by eliminatin g hazards like "throw" rugs and exposed wires; 3) Effectively manage falls are, by far, the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal Beyond the tragic personal toll, the total costs related to injuries among older people. And, when I say "falls," I don 't fails are truly staggering. The Centers for Disease Control our medications - to prevent us from becoming dizzy or disoriented); and 4) Have our vision checked. mean falling from the top of a building or a cliff. All it takes tells us that in 2013, the total cost of fall injuries was www.aarp.org is a slip on a "throw" rug, a stumble on the StailS or a brief $34 billion. That exceeds the annual budgets of both the The AARP web site - - has as wealth of loss of balance on a sidewalk to inflict serious pain and US. Department of State and the U S. Department of Justice. information on these and other ways we can prevent falls, months of physical therapy. As our population ages, the total annual cost may reach as including our HomeFit Guide, a guide to making our homes comfortable, safe and a great fit - www.aarp.orglhomefit. Consider these stats: One of every three Americans 65 high as $67 billion by 2020. and older falls, one every 11 seconds. About one out of Preventing falls is a pIactical goal. But we believe it's also Please have a look. every three of those who fall - some 2.8 million - require a moral imperative for a society committed to empowerin g its people and safeguarding their freedom. At its core, Ron Mori is a board member for the Washington, D.C., medical treatment. And, worse, over 27,000 older persons JACL chapter, and manager of community, states and die from falls each year, one every 20 minutes. That's more preventing falls is about preserving for older people those values that have always been central to our way of life - 1U1tional affairs - multicultural leadership for AARP. MANZANAR VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL AWARD The National Park Service ach year, more than 440,000 "Saburo and Ann's volunteer efforts are As Ann says, "The story is not just worth peop Ie volunteer for the National P.uk remarkable, and I hope they inspire others," telling, it must be tokl." Both Saburo and honors Saburo and Ann E &rvice. This year, from among said Johnson. "Each spring, Sab is requested Ann make history come alive for every them, the NPS recognized 1-hnzanar by many teachers to share his personal sto• visitor they encounter. Sasaki with the prestigious Volunteers Saburo and Ann Sasaki with the ries of life in 1funzanar with their students." This year bridges the celebIatory 1 OOth an• Hartzog Enduring Service Award on Aug. 9 In April 1942, Saburo was a 7-year-old niversary of the National Park &rvice and Hartzog Enduring Service in Washington, D.C. farm boy in San Fernando, Calif., when the the eve of the somber 75th anniversary in Award The Sasakis were presented their award by U.S. Anny uprooted his family. fur three 2017 of Japanese Americans being removed PH OTO NATICN AL PM1K SERVI CE NPS Director Jon Jarvis. Also on hand at the years and seven months, the Sasakis -Rtm• from their homes and communities and ceremony were 1-hnzanar Superintendent ily #3831 - were among more than 11,000 placed in War Relocation Authority camps. Bernadette Johnson and Volunteer Coordi• Japanese Americans exiled to 1-hnzanar. The 1-hnzanar staff nominated Saburo nator Carrie Andresen. Saburo attended second, third and fourth and Ann for the Enduring &rvice Award Since 2005, Saburo and Ann Sasaki have grades in the camp. The Sasakis left 1fun• because there is no more fitting time to rec• volunteered at 1-hnzanar between mid• zanar in October 1945 for Cleveland, Ohio. ognize two exceptional volunteers whose April and mid-June. Saburo spends most Saburo later met Ann in Cleveland. They lives brid ge these two contIasting milestones of his time talking with visitors, answering both went on to become engineers for in US. history. questions and presenting interpretive and General Motors. Today, they travel 2,250 Saburo and Ann hope that one day their educational programs for up to 1,500 peo• miles each way to 1-hnzanar from their children and grandchildren will carry on ple each year. Ann staffs the visitor center, home in Rochester Hills, Mich. their volunteer service at 1funzanar. assists with 1-hnzanar History Association While the distance is impressive, what is The 1-hnzanar National Historic Site, opeIations and has completed dozens of most exceptional is Saburo's seven-decade which was established by Congress in 1992, major projects for 1-hnzanar's libIary, journey from a childhood in 1funzanar to welcomes annually more than 90,000 visi• Volunteers Ann and Saburo museum, archives, oral history and photo serving as a NPS volunteer. As a Chinese tors. The site welcomes visitors to explore Sasaki with National Park Service collections. Together, they have volunteered American woman, Ann has the unique bur• and learn about the experiences of individu• Director Jon Jarvis on Aug. 9 in more than 3,000 hours. The couple also den of interpreting history she is presumed als, families and communities incarcerated Washington, D.C. presents pro grams around the country. to have endured in 1funzanar. at 1funzanar during World War II. • ANNUAL JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICE TO HONOR JA SOLDIERS OF WWII SET PH OTO WES DEGUCHI. 442ND 8CtjS & DAUG HTE RS Cemetery of the Facific at Punchbowl in Ancestry) veterans ' Joint Memorial Service FOR SEPTEMBER Oahu. The service is open to the public. is held on the last Sunday of each &ptember 1-htt 1-htsunaga, son of the late Sen. in memory of the first AJA killed in action he 11th annual Joint 1-1emorial Sparky 1futsunaga, a 100th Infantry in World War II, Shigeo "Joe" Takata of the &rvice honoring Japanese American Battalion veteIan, will serve as the event's 100th Infantry Battalion. T soldiers who served during World keynote speaker, and the chair of this year's This year's service is sponsored by the War II as members of the 100th Infantry service is Lynn Heirakuji, whose father, Nisei VeteIans Legacy and coincides with Battalion, :Military Intelligence Service, Walter, served in the 442nd RCf and is a the 75th anniversary commemoration of Veterans gathered and were 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 1399th member of the K Company Chapter of that the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The service honored during 2015's Joint Engineer Construction Battalion is set for veterans club. adopts the same theme: "Honoring the Fast, Memorial Service in Hawaii. Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. at the National1-1emorial The AJA (Americans of Japanese Inspirin g the Future." • PACIFIC. CITIZEN COMMENTARY Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 9 LEGAL-EASE: AN ATTORNEY'S PERSPECTIVE WHEN YOUR POWER OF AnORNEY IS POWERLESS By Staci YaJ1U1shita-lida, Esq. are cautioned to beware of elder abuse and fraud. ollege basketball coach Abe Lemons once Without the account holder present, it's difficult to said, "The trouble with retirement is that you (The trouble with retirement is that confirm that he or she knew what was being signed, C never getaday off." Forthoseofyou who are or even that the FDA was signed willingly. The banks experiencing your golden years, you may recognize you never get a day ofP are concerned with their own liability, which explains the truth in this statement. their hypervigilance. Speaking to a bank manager Before you're able to spend your days on the golf - Coach Abe Lemons and exphining the situation often yields successful course, you (being a responsible adult) want to make results. sure your affairs are in order. This includes creating If this doesn't work, there are other strategies to use. a financial Power of Attorney ("FDA"), a legal document holder fill out the financial institution's own FDA form. This Sometimes a note from a physician describing the account that authorizes a person of your choosing - a spouse, child, creates a frustrating Catch-22: FDAs are created to prepare holder's condition (e.g., in a hospital or nursing home) is family member, friend, etc. - to act on your behalf on for incapacity, and when it comes, the bank expects the enough. Other times written consent from the account holder financial matters. individual to sign another document ... while incapacitated. suffices. Solutions are often tailor-made to the situation at Once the POA is signed and notarized, you breathe a sigh So, what can you do? While you're healthy and in full hand. of relief thinking everything will be taken care of even if control of your faculties, you should take your FDA to the Dealing with financial institutions can be infuriating. If you the worst occurs. A few years later, it does; you're rendered bank so that your family members are added to the account have a financial Power of Attorney or have been designated immobile from a car accident Sadly, the fact that you're as Fbwer of Attorney "agents." Agents are under a fiduciary as an agent and would like to eliminate the risks of running lying in a hospital bed doesn't prevent 1-hsterCard and your duty to act in your best interest and main accurate recoms. into the problems mentioned above, contact your local Estate mortgage company from sending their monthly statements. So, even though your agents have access to your accounts, Planning attorney to explore your options. Not wanting the home to get foreclosed on, your daughter they cannot use the funds for their own personal gain. This is walks into the local bank and presents the teller with your typically the most pain-free avenue. Banks are more willing Staci YaJ1U1shita-lida,Esq. is an Estate Planning attorney POA. to accept outside POAs when the account holder is present. at Elder Law Senices of California. She can be contacted "Sorry," the teller says. ''We can't honor this Power of In the event that you become physically or mentally at (310) 348-2995. The opinions expressed in this article Attorney." incapacitated before you get the chance to take your POA to are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view Unfortunately, this dilemma occurs all too often. Banks, the bank, there are still options available. First, your family of the Pacific Citizen or JACL. The information presented credit unions and brokerage firms refuse to accept legally can ask to speak to the bank manager. When someone other does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated valid Fbwers of Attorney, instead insisting that the account than the account holder brings in a POA, bank employees as such. TIPS FOR THE WISE CAR BUYER -_.--- -~- .. .• -_ ------'--- 1. Before you 2. Makeyour 3. Next call or leave home, way to the head over to visit our Auto dealer and National JACL Center at purchase Credit Union. jaclcu.com to your SOON find the new car. SEPTEMBER ::~~. ~ : ~:'-': ~: ~'--:~~------~~ ~ ~~ ~~:=: :.:.:-:: - . ;""'-:;'-1 JACL Scholarship Winners Special a better NOVEMBER rate and up Tribute to Our Veterans Issue Tell them to $500 cash you want to back. DECEMBER finance at Annual Holiday Issue 2016 JACL CU. Reserve Your Congratulations, Well Wishes, Rememberances and Holiday GfI~etings TODAY! Contact Susan at 213.620.1767 I Email: BusMgr®pacificcitizen.org 800-544-8828 www.jacicu.com National JACL Credit Union 10 Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016 CALENDAR PACIFICO CITIZEN A NATIONAL GUIDE TO NOTABLE COMMUNITY EVENTS Arts Department of Cultural dishes. The weekend event Affairs and the National will also host a Japanese Endowment of the Arts. fall festival along Broadway Festivity activities include Street between 92 and 94 food and games for all ages. Streets as well. Come and Info: Visit www.nmjacl.org. enjoy Japanese heritage and rebuild the livelihood that was Program Series comes culture at the fair with about taken from his family. this event that will feature 60 vendors and stores. NCWNP five second-generation PNW Info: Visit www. 'Creativity Unconfined: Life 'Talk Story and Treasures: Japanese Americans japanblockfair.com or email in a World War II Japanese Nikkei Artifacts Tell Tales (Takashi Hoshizaki, Toshi Asian Food Market Tour [email protected]. American Internment Camp' We Must Not Forget' Ito, Willie Ito, Sam Mihara Portland, OR Rohnert Park, CA Berkeley, CA and Shig Yabu) who will Sept. 10; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Plate by Plate 2016 Sept. 13; 4-6 p.m. Oct. 8; Noon-1 p.m. and share significant memories Join Indonesia-born chef New York, NY Sonoma State University 2-4 p.m. (open viewings), of their lives, with a focus Surja Tjahaja for a tour of Oct. 21; 7-10 p.m. 1801 E. Cotati Ave. Program 1-2 p.m. on the World War II camp markets specializing in fresh, Metropolitan Pavilion Price: $5 parking permit Berkeley Methodist Church experience. Reservations are inexpensive vegetables, (The Level) required 1710 Carleton St. recommended. seafood and other Asian food. 123 W. 18th St., 5th Floor A special reception Price: Free Info: Visit www.janm.org. The tour includes a Korean Price: $200; black-tie sponsored by the SSU JACL Berkeley and NSU barbeque tabletop lunch. Plate by Plate is the premier Library, the Sonoma County present "Talk Story and Asian American Journalism Please register by Sept. 1. annual tasting benefit Matsuri, the Anthropological Treasures," sponsored by Association of San Diego Info: For information, organized by Project by Studies Center, the Center Berkeley JACL and JC Fundraiser meeting location or register, Project, showcasing cuisine for Community Engagement, Berkeley Nikkei Student San Diego, CA contact (503) 656-8910 or offered by New York City's the SSU Department of Union with support from Sept. 25; 3:30 p.m. visit www.chef2go.biz. top restaurants. As featured Social Sciences and the Friends of Topaz, J-Sei and NBC7 Studios 9680 previously on Bravo's "Top SU Anthropology Club is Berkeley Methodist United. Granite Ridge Road Nichiren Buddhist Temple Chef, " attendees will have being held for "Creativity Community members Network and learn about 2016 Fall Take-Out Bazaar the opportunity to taste an Unconfined," which are invited to spend an storytelling from top Asian Portland, OR array of offerings in addition documents internees' lives afternoon viewing historical American on-air talent. Sept. 18; 11 :30-a.m.-2 p.m. to mingling with the city's during the war as well as artifacts, crafts, documents, Catch a tour of NBCTs new 2025 S.E. Yamhill best chefs. A silent auction items made by internees photographs and family station in Kearny Mesa. The Come support the Nichiren will also be held. The event at Amache. Wine and light treasures lent by community anniversary fundraiser will Buddhist Temple's Take-Out partner this year is the refreshments will be served. members for the afternoon. grant scholarships to Asian Bazaar, with all proceeds National Queer Asian Pacific Info: To RSVP, email The program will also feature American journalists. Program benefiting the temple. Islander Alliance and ticket [email protected] or speakers who will share speakers include ABCl Available to order are proceeds will benefit the call (707) 664-2712. their stories associated Los Angeles' David Ono and chow mein, sushi and a partner organization. with the artifacts. NBC News correspondent combination bento. Sept. 11 Info: Visit www.platebyplate. JCCCNC Tabemasho 2016: RSVP by Sept. 20, as Jinah Kim. is the preorder deadline, so org. Bunka Matsuri attendance is expected to Info: Visit www.aaja.org. make sure and place your San Francisco, CA reach capacity. order today! Philadelphia Asian American Sept. 17 Info: Email berkeleyjacl@ Info: To place an order, Film Festival 1840 Sutter St. gmail.com. call (503) 235-8292. Philadelphia, PA Price: Free MOC Nov. 10-20 The JCCCNC's annual Densho 20th Anniversary Various locations in fund raising event will PSW The Louisville Dragon Boat Gala Philadelphia celebrate the center's Festival Seattle, WA The Philadelphia Asian 30th anniversary, the 17th Annual Asian Small Louisville, KY Sept. 24; 5-8:30 p.m. American Film Festival is back 110th an n iversary of San Business Expo Sept. 10 Sheraton Seattle Downtown this year paying tribute to Francisco's Japantown Alhambra, CA Louisville Waterfront Park 1400 Sixth Ave. rising stars in Asian American and the fifth anniversary Sept. 10; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 231 Witherspoon St. Densho celebrates 20 years filmmaking. This celebration is of the Great East Japan Almansor Court Conference Get ready for a beautiful and of collecting and preserving the only one of its kind in the Earthquake and Tsunami. Center athletic display of dragon the living memory of World Philadelphia area and is now Former JCCCNC presidents 700 S. Almansor St. boat racing at this year's War II Japanese American the largest AAPI film festival Nobusuke Fukuda and Edith Price: Free festival featuring local teams incarceration. All are invited on the East Coast. It attracts Tanaka will also be honored. This year's expo will allow competing to raise money to celebrate the past two actors, filmmakers and The event will also present a attendees to network with for various local charities decades and support audiences from the area and silent and live auction. hundreds of business owners, and nonprofit organizations. Densho as it works to all around the world. Come Info: Call (415) 567-5505 or entrepreneurs and start-up Attendees can also enjoy a build a more just future. support the films in this visit www.jcccnc.org. companies, in addition to variety of cultural activities Keynote speakers include year's lineup. establishing new contacts. and great food. Dale Minami. Info: Visit www.philly 'Boy Meets World War II: An Free business workshops Info: Visit www. Info: Visit www.densho.org. asianfilmfest.org. • American Story of Growing will also be offered, with louisvilledragonboat.com Up Japanese' Event Signing special guests including Corte Madera, CA Jerome Horton, chairman Aki Matsuri EOC Sept. 17; 4 p.m. of the California Board of Albuquerque, NM The Book Passage Equalization. Sept. 18 Ramen Contest and ADVERTISE HERE 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. Info: Visit www.apisbp.org. National Hispanic Japanese Fall Festival Events in the calendar The Book Passage is hosting Cultural Center New York, NY section are listed based on a signing event for author Memories of Five Nisei 1701 Fourth St. S.W. Oct. 15-16 space availa bility. Place a George ami and his new Los Angeles, CA The annual Albuquerque• Astor Center 'Spotlight' ad with book "Boy Meets World Sept. 24; 2 p.m. based Japanese Fall festival 399 Lafayette St. photos of your event for War II." ami, who has won Japanese American (Aki Matsuri) welcomes the Price: Free maximum exposure. An indoor eating ramen numerous awards as an National Museum new season with the New FOR MORE INFO: author, takes readers to his 100 N. Central Ave. Mexico Japanese American contest will serve up some of New York's most popular [email protected] life prewar and post-World Price: Free Citizens League in part (213) 620-1767 War II and his journey to As part of the Tateuchi Public supported by the New Mexico Japanese ramen shop PACIFIC. CITIZEN OBITUARIES Aug. 26-Sepl. 8, 2016 11 MEMORIAM survived by his children, survived by many nieces, children, Glenn Tsuchiya, Joan, Lawrence (Miyuki) nephews and other relatives Nancy (Jerry) Price, Irene and David (Katherine); gc: here and in Japan; gc: 2. (Gary) Barone; sister, Marie 4; ggc: 1. (John) Niwa; gc: 4; gcc: 3. Oshita, Helen Teiko, 78, San Joe, CA; Aug. 2; she Umeda, Ben, 92, was interned at Topaz; she Watsom,;lIe, CA; Aug. 12; he is survived by her husband, is survived by his wife, Yoko, Howard; daughters, Julie children, Kai (Diane), Yuko (Ken) Arimura and Lisa (DalAd Thielk), Shin (Sue) (Long "Lawrence") Han; and Ren (Suzanne) Umeda; gc: 2. sister, Uly Toyoko Omokawa; gc: 7. Abe, Hideo, 99, Santa Kobayashi, Roy Torao, 78, Clara, CA; Aug. 1; he was Yamashiro, Fred Minoru, Mountain View, CA; he is 85, Granada Hills, CA; Aug. an WWII veteran who survived by his wife, served with the MIS; he was 7; he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; stepdaughters, Alice; sons, Ron (Cricket) predeceased by his wife, Mary Beth Rogers and Ky1e (Jeanne); Lola; he is survived by his Houseworth, Gale Schmidt, daughters; Susan (Dave), son, Roger; daughter, Elaine Nancy Rogers and Karen Ishibashi, Masahiro Jill and Lee (Wayne; (Stan) Strocher; sister, Beck; sister, Dorothy 'Mako,' 93, Monterey Park, daughter -in-law, Julie; Mikiko Etc; and many Ishimatsu; brother, Robert CA; Aug. 1; a WWII Poston sisters, Pat and Kiko. nieces and nephews; gc: 1. Kobayashi; gc: 3. Arizona Camp 1 Block 30 internee; he was predeceased by his wife, Amano, Shellie Akiko, 43, Kusano, Kevin Tadao, 63; Haruko; he is survived by Kealakekua, HI; July 27; she Waimea, HI; July 30; he his daughter, Colleen (Ken) was a U.S. Army veteran; owned Leilani Bakery of Hayashi; sons, Gerald she is survived by her son, Hawaii; he is survived by his (Usa), Grant (Colleen) and Kawika; mother, Glenna wife, Irene "Leilani"; Craig Ishibashi; brothers-in• Tatsumi, Lorie Kiyoko, 60, Bell; stepfather, Charlie Bell; daughter, Robyn (Mark) law, Hide and Thomas Avocado Heights, CA; Aug. grandmother, Chiyono Berry; stepchildren, Shirlene Ishimine; sisters-in-law, 1; she is survived by her Kobayashi; and many aunts, (Curt) Fukumori, Dalen Ruth (Jim) Ishii, Mary ada, husband, Byron Tatsumi; uncles and cousins. (Antonia) Sato and Candice Lillie (Joe) Amamoto, Grace daughter, Lauren Tatsumi; (Matt) Myer; mother, Kay (Bob) Morinishi and Donna sister, Leslie Ito; and nieces, Kikuno; brothers, Kerry Sill; gc: 11; gcc: 11; ggcc: 1. nephews and many other Amino, Yosh, 88, Evanston, Kusano and Cyrus Kusano; relatives. IL; July 27; predeceased by gc: 4. his wife, Pat Aiko; he is survived by his sister, Tawa, Masatsugu, 96, Yoshimi Ikeda; children, Gardena, CA; Aug. 7; he is Kimberly (Eric), Mitch survived by his wife, Kiyoko; Wada, Takashi, 97, (Dawna) and Jill (Mark); and sons, Ron (Suzi), Gary Torrance, CA; July 15; he many other relatives; gc: 9. (Valerie) and Brian Tawa; served in the 442nd RCT, L gc: 6; gcc: 2. Company; he is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Hamakawa, Masaru Craig (Roxanne) and Brian 'Mamo,' 83, Hilo, HI; Aug. 6; Tsuchiya, Patricia 'Pat' Wada; daughters, Mona a retired U.S. Air Force Haruko, 88, San Jose, (Tom) Kawasawa and Lisa Veteran; he is survived by CA; May 24; she was Wada; sisters, Rose Wakida his son, Glen (Irene) predeceased by her and Faye Harada; also Hamakawa; daughter, Lisa husband, Tomoyuki; survived by many other (Howard) Shaw; brothers, she is survived by her relatives; gc: 6. • Fumio (Emiko) Hamakawa and Kiyoshi (Mikako) Nakasaki, Shizuko, 86, TRIBUTE Hamakawa; sister, Tsuyuko Montebello, CA; Aug. 7; she Blackwood; sisters-in-law, Inouye, Masaru Vincent, is survived by her children , MISAO SHIOTSUKA Betty Hamakawa, Patricia 95, Los Angeles, CA; Aug. Linda (Norman) Kiyomura (Tokiaki) Toyama, Victoria 10; he was predeceased by and Eddie Nakasaki; sister• Misao Yarrnno Shiotsuka passed aooy on (Clyde) Abe and Lillian Oak; his wife, Tsutaye Mary; he is in-law, Kisaye Sato; also June 17, 2016, at the age of 96. Misao was born gc: 5. on July 14, 1919, in San Jose, CA. She was the eldest of four children of Shige and Teiichi Yamano. Misao attended schools in Gilroy, CA, graduating high school in 1937. She continued PLACE A TRIBUTE school in Japan for two years to study sewing, 1n Memoriam ' is a free music and traditional Japanese cultural arts. listing that appears on a ~1¥1II[]"'.fII.n In 1943, Misao married Ekiji Sam Shiotsuka, limited, space-available basis. 00 KUBOTA NIKKEI a soldier in the 442nd Re9mental Combat team, in the Poston, AZ, Tributes honor your loved MORTUARV internment calTfJ. ones with text and photos and After the war, Misao and Sam settled in Hollister, CA. Sam was a appear in a timely manner at ;z,,4JZ;/ with a level-headed, not just numbers• schohrships, the leadership program MILE HIGH» continued from page 3 oriented, vision for JACI..'"s future. and the Legacy Fund Grants (which PH OTO Gl L ASAKAWA After Gary and Janet spoke with us the Mile High chapter received to help I'm sure the leadership would deny on the phone, we broke for lunch and finance important local programs). that's what happened, but to those of then discussed the three choices for the Like me, a majority of the members us in the chapter trenches, that's what chapter. In the end, there were more in attendance opted to put their hope it seemed like. OUf chapter sent several votes to keep the chapter in place, but in Gary 1-hyeda's presidency to see letters objecting to national decisions act as independently as possible, and if the culture of National JACL can and asking for more involvement, follow our hearts even if that meant become more open and transparent but they were ignored. &:lme other going against the National JACL grain. and inclusive of the wants and needs of chapters and districts (including We ultimately accepted that JACL members even out here in the boonies Facific Southwes:tDistrict, where Gary provides benefits that are worth being of Colorado. 1hyeda himself drafted the letter of able to share with our members, like After all, we can always have this protest that was sent to National JACL) the Kakehashi exchange program for discussion again in a year or two if we voiced dissatisfaction with how JACL Mile High JACL voted to remain a chapter of youth to visit Japan (an interesting feel we need it. was being run. Before the National the organization during its Aug. 21 general wrinkle in our longtime mission of Convention, the former executive membership meeting. Gil Asakawa is a former P.e. civil rights for Japanese Americans Edilorial Board Member and Board director, Priscilla Ouchida, was gone. but one I applaud because I think all But she wasn't really the cause of the announcements pushing for the TFP and against Chair. He wriles a blog al hllP:// JAs should visit Japan), the youth deeper problems, which were institutional. Net Neutrality. I hope not, anyway. nikkeiview.com. :Now, much of the National Board has been rm hopeful for JACL, as I said in my lastcolumn replaced, and the former executive director role because the National Youth/Student Council is being managed in the interim by a longtime shows passion and leadership skills to help lead JACLer, Bill Yoshino, who in the past was the the organization into a new era if they step up to LETTER 2 » continued from page 2 district rep based in Chicago who wrote the the proverbial plate. And, rm hopeful because cogent, thoughtful civil rights-focused statements rve known Gary 1-hyeda for a long time, and I specifically used the word INDIVIDUALS because I believe there is a hu ge that JACL used to send out when bad stuff I know he has both the institutional memory and misconception that the Black Lives 1-htter movement is anti-police or that the happened in the world. I don't think he wrote the understanding of JACI..'"s past and present, along individuals who attacked police are working on behalf of Black Lives 1-iatter. This is a fallacy used to try to discredit the movement What the Black Lives 1-htter protesters are against is a system where individual "bad apple" police officers are not held accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to aggression with the African-American community. Supporting our police and LETTER 1 »continued from page 2 supporting Black Lives 1-htterare not mutually exclusive. WhatweasJapaneseAmericans need to realize is that though wearea minor• ity community, we have absolutely no idea what it is like to be black in America. While JACL is tasked with commemorating frightening statistic in mind, we need to stand I haveneverbeen followed around in astore by asecurity guard. Noonehasever Japanese American history and culture, in par• with BLM organizers and fight for the right of told mel shouldn't weara hoodieorwalk on the street at night. I don't worry that our African-American fellow citizens to walk ticuhr the legacy of the Japanese American in• if I get pulled over for a traffic viohtion that something violent might happen. carceration experience, it is dishonest to pretend the streets without fear of police brutality. Of These are thoughts that many African-Americans have on a daily basis. as though we were the loudest or only voices course, we cannot forget Japanese American As an organization that is supposed to support the civil rights of all, why is condemning incarceration. We must gratefully history and must continue to preserve it, but we it wrong to recognize another organization that is actively working to try to recognize the support that our people received must be cognizant ofthe fact that we are incred• make our society a little bit better? Norm :Mineta, in his speech at the Sayonara during this time. ibly privileged to see it as history. Dinner, praised our youth for including Black Lives 1-iatter at their banquet, The black community, in fact, was one of the Japanese Americans will never again be put and so do I. few groups to openly condemn JapaneseAmeri• into incarceration camps, and it is safe to say Kudos to the NY/SC! can incarceration and express support for Japa• that many of us will never face police brutality. Sincerely, neseAmericans. Hugh 1-hcBeth, a black lawyer As a privileged minority group that can view the KimikoMarr, based in Los Angeles, openly defended Japanese police as our protectors rather than threats to our BoardMember, Americans during the war by arguing that "race• lives, it is ourduty to support blacks and minori• Walsonville-Sanla CruzJACL based confinement constituted unconstitutional ties in their fight against injustice and bigotry, as MarciaHashimolo, W-SC JACLBoardMember racial discrimination." He signed the JACL brief they have done for us. MasHashimolo, W-SCJACLBoardMember in the historic case Korematsu v. United States We support and applaud the awarding of the Gini Malule-Biachi,Ph.D., W-SC JACL Board Member and successfully defended Fred and Kajiro NY/SCVision Award to Black Lives 1-htter, and Carol Kaneko, W-SCJACLBoardMember Oyama, who challenged California's Alien Land we look forward to being a part of JACI..'"s con• Paul Kaneko, W-SC JACLMember Act, which prevented many immigrants from certed efforts to fight against police brutality in Viclor Kimura, W-SC JACL Board Member minority communities. owning hnd. 1-hny black newspapers sympa• LaurelMayeda, W-SCJACLBoardMember Sincerely, thized with Japanese Americans and wrote of Aimee Mizuno, W-SC JACLBoardMember the shared struggles of discrimination between Jeanelle OlsujiHager, W-SC JACLBoardMember Miki Takeshila, Philip Shima, W-SC JACL Board Member blacks and Japanese Americans. The Califor• JACL Chicago and New York nia Eagle in 1943 called for the discontinued Andy Noguchi, FlorinJACL Co-Presidenl Joseph Wal,JACLHonolulu Michelle Yamashiro,PSW Dislricl Governor use of the slur "Jap, " even though many main• Jennifer Brown,JACL Chicago Ron Osajima,SELANOCO JACLMember stream newspapers would continue using it for AmyChow,JACL Chicago Connie La, SELANOCO JACL Board Member years. Even during the resettlement period after Mary Coomes,JACL Chicago CarolynAdams,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember World War II during which Japanese Americans LisaDoi,JACL Chicago JamesDufJ,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember faced housing and employment discrimination, Takumi Harada, JACL New York Knillin TomomiHara,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember the African-American community continued to AmaraHoshijo, JACL New York Amelia Husler,BerkeleyJACL BoardMember show support for Japanese Americans, such as Gregory Kimura,JACL Chicago Vance Oishi,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember by protesting the removal of Japanese Ameri• LaneMila,JACL Chicago John Okahala,BerkeleyJACLMember cans from their positions in factories across the Chrisline Munleanu,JACL Chicago Neal Ouye,Berkeley JACL Member :Midwest and West Coast. In June 1963, 1-iar• Kenji Negi,JACL Chicago Nancy Ukai,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember A. Hiroloshi Nishika wa, JACL Philadelphia tin Luther King Jr. invited the JACL to join the Tara Umemolo,BerkeleyJACLMember Chrisline Nilahara,JACL Chicago Belh Uno,Berkeley JACL Board Member march on Washington that August After much Eric Langowski, JACL Hoosier Ranko Yamada,BerkeleyJACLMember deliberation at its National Convention that sum• Krislin Osakada,JACL Chicago Valerie Yasukochi,Berkeley JACL Member mer, the progressive JACL leadership accepted Anna Takada,JACL Chicago Allen Zhou,BerkeleyJACLBoardMember and joined the black activists on the mall. Jordan Yamagiwa,JACL Chicago Jeff Yoshioka ,Silicon Valley JACL Member And now, 50 years later, unanned black men Mari Yamagiwa,JACL Chicago Bill Tashima, Seaule JACL Board Member are five times more likely than unanned white Krislen Yang,JACL Chicago Jacce M.,HonoluluJACLPresidenl men to be shot and killed by police. With this Grace Yoshiba,JACL Chicago on behalfoflheHonolulu Chapler