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THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL

May 18-31, 2018

» PAGE 6

HOMECOMING FOR HOUSTON

Acclaimed author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston’s book celebrates 45 years and is chosen as the selection for the 16th annual Santa Monica Reads.

» PAGE 5

Arlington National Cemetery Set to

» PAGES 8 AND 9

Moving Recaps of the Poston
Hold Its 70th Memorial Day Program and Rohwer/Jerome Pilgrimages

WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG

#3321 / VOL. 166, No. 9 ISSN: 0030-8579

2

  • May 18-31, 2018
  • SPRING CAMPAIGN LETTER/COMMUNITY

IT’S VITAL TO CONTINUE TO SHARE OUR STORIES — SPRING CAMPAIGN 2018

HOW TO REACH US

Email: pc@pacificcitizen.org Online: www.pacificcitizen.org

Tel: (213) 620-1767

Mail: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St.,

Suite 313 Los Angeles, CA 90012

STAFF

Executive Editor

Allison Haramoto

Senior Editor Digital & Social Media

George Johnston

n a recent discussion with my cousin, like part of a community, even though I may not with their people.” The stories in each issue help

  • Robin Hattori, we talked about the value of see those people ever again,” she said.
  • us connect to our fellow Japanese Americans.

I

“being with your people.” She and I grew up I had been to Rohwer more than a decade Even those who are thousands of miles away still

Business Manager

Susan Yokoyama

together in St. Louis, Mo., and we both still live earlier when I traveled there with my parents and feel like part of our community.

Production Artist

Marie Samonte

  • here. When we were teens, we found our people siblings. My cousin and I compared notes about
  • As readers of the Pacific Citizen, we have a

in JAYS (Japanese American Youths), where all our experiences. My father died about a year after responsibility to be informed and share what we of the kids in our youth group felt like family our trip, and I am so grateful I had a chance to learn. We also have a responsibility to help support

Circulation

Eva Ting

  • as we shared similar histories and experiences go to Arkansas with him.
  • the publication in its efforts to continue onward

The Pacific Citizen newspaper

(ISSN: 0030-8579) is published semi-monthly (except once in December and January) by the Japanese American Citizens

League, Pacific Citizen, 123 Ellison

S. Onizuka St., Suite 313

  • growing up in the Midwest.
  • Robin had a similar feeling of appreciation as a vital historical resource for generations to

Robin, her husband and her parents visited of hearing her mom and dad’s stories firsthand. come.

  • Arkansas last month as part of a pilgrimage to “They were able to get in touch with that time of
  • Please invest in the future of the paper and

the Rohwer and Jerome internment camp sites. their life,” she said about their visit. “My parents participate in the P . C.’s Spring Campaign at Both of Robin’s parents (and my father, her are getting old. Once their generation is gone, no https://www.pacificcitizen.org/donations. Show

Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • mother’s brother) were interned in Rohwer when one will be left any more to tell their tale.”
  • that you want to continue to be with your people.

Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA

POSTMASTER: Send address

changes to National JACL, 1765 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA

94115

they were children. It was my cousin’s first trip to

We need to hear our parents’ stories, and, just

  • as important, we need to continue to share them.
  • see where our family lived for four years.

Sincerely,

She remarked on how comfortable she felt with That’s why the Pacific Citizen is so essential today the other Japanese Americans on the pilgrimage and for generations to come.

Jody Mitori,

JACL President: Gary Mayeda Executive Director: David Inoue

  • and how easy it was to establish a rapport. “I felt
  • The Pacific Citizen also helps readers “be

P.C. Editorial Board Member, MDC

P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD

Gil Asakawa, chairperson; Jody Mitori, MDC; Marcia Chung, CCDC; Jim Duff, NCWNPDC; Chip Larouche, PNWDC; Kayla Watanabe, IDC; John Saito Jr., PSWDC; Juli Yoshinaga, Youth Rep.

BERKELEY JACL AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS AND HONORS PIONEER RECIPIENT LEE NAKAMURA

SUBSCRIBE

Get a one-year subscription of the

Pacific Citizen newspaper at: www.pacificcitizen.org or call

(213) 620-1767

  • he Berkeley JACL chapter interview.
  • recipient of the Terry Yamashita

Memorial Scholarship. also the recipient of the Bea Kono Memorial Scholarship.

  • awarded scholarships to six
  • This year’s scholarship recipients

T

  • high school seniors, one are:
  • • Alexander Tsuetaki (Durham

Academy — North Carolina) will attend Tufts University as a computer science/science technology and society major; he is also the recipient of the Dan/Kathleen Date Memorial Scholarship.
• Sydney Wong (El Cerrito High School) will attend San Jose State University and major in graphic design. college undergraduate and presented • Ryan Akiyama (Berkeley High

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its Pioneer Award to Lee “Cubby” Nakamura during its awards luncheon held at the Richmond Country Club in Richmond, Calif., on April 29. The chapter awarded scholarships to the high school seniors based upon their academic achievements,
School) will attend San Francisco State University and major in journalism.

To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail:

pc@pacificcitizen.org

The chapter also awarded a college undergraduate scholarship to Maya Kashima, who is currently attending Berkeley City College. Kashima is set to transfer to the University of California, Berkeley, in the fall as a media studies major.

LEGAL

• Alyssa Cho (El Cerrito High School) will attend Dominican University of California as an occupational therapy major.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the Pacific Citizen.

Editorials, letters, news and the

opinions expressed by columnists other than the national JACL president or national director do

not necessarily reflect JACL policy.

Events and products advertised in the P.C. do not carry the implicit endorsement of the JACL or this

publication. We reserve the right to

edit articles. © 2018

• Luka Uchiyama (Castro Valley High School) will attend California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and major in bioresource and agricultural engineering; he is community involvement, school • Kailee Nabeta (Rio Americano activities, work history, JACL involvement, written essay, letter of recommendation and group
High School — Sacramento) will attend Boise State University as a kinesiology major; she is also the

>> See BERKELEY on page 4

Periodicals paid at Los Angeles, Calif. and mailing office.

JACL MEMBERS

Change of Address

If you’ve moved,

please send new information to:

National JACL 1765 Sutter St. San Francisco,
CA 94115
(415) 921-5225 ext. 26

2018

Allow 6 weeks for address changes.

To avoid interruptions

in delivery,

please notify your postmaster to include periodicals in your change of address (USPS Form 3575)

  • COMMENTARY
  • May 18-31, 2018

3

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CONVENTION 2018: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

  • be done — but all very important.
  • There will be many opportunities for so- heart of downtown just steps away from

Breakout sessions will be aplenty for cializing and networking, beginning with some of the greatest museums in the world.

  • all to join in and participate. Many of the the welcome reception and youth mixer
  • Walking down Ben Franklin Parkway,

themes will be recognizable as traditional on the first night of convention. Thursday you will pass the Franklin Institute, Barnes topics from past conventions, and in going evening will be a rejuvenation of what has FoundationandRodinMuseum—ultimately with our theme of “Redress, Resistance been referred to as the “Wingding” in the finding on your path the iconic Philadelphia and Reconciliation,” we will be looking past and rechristened as our Premium Art Museum. If you’re up to it, run up the at the tensions between the resistance and Member’s Reception. JACL has featured steps to re-create the famous scene from the reconciliation in the advocacy work that three levels of membership beyond the stan- original “Rocky” movie.

By David Inoue, JACL Executive Director

hy should I go to convention? It’s a valid question. Convention is expensive to attend, and honestly,

W

  • JACL focuses on today and in obtaining the dard annual dues: the Thousand, Century
  • Continuing past the art museum and up

National Council can be pretty boring if you’re

not a delegate and therefore not voting on behalf of your chapter. I, myself, had only attended a few conventions before becoming Executive Director. I hope to change that mind-set though. First, the business aspects of convention are obviously very important. Hopefully, even if you are not a voting delegate, your representatives will listen to you! We will be

holding elections of our officers this year for

the next two-year period; that alone should be enough to make you want to play a part in determining our board leadership for the coming two years. progress for civil and human rights for all. and Millennium Clubs. We hope that many the Schuylkill River, you will be able to We will particularly focus on some women’s of you will upgrade your membership levels see Philadelphia’s famous boathouse row, issues as a part of JACL’s response to the to attend this special reception and elevate followed by the zoo and on to the Shofuso

  • #metoo movement.
  • your support for the work of JACL.
  • Japanese House and Garden. Let’s not forget

  • What about having some fun? Philadelphia
  • Friday’s event at the Barnes Foundation that as the birthplace of our nation, you can

convention chair Rob Buscher also happens features a special performance by critically also visit Independence Hall, site of the to be the festival director for the Philadelphia acclaimed spoken word artist G Yamazawa. signing of the Declaration of Independence Asian American Film Festival. This year, Yamazawa is a Shin-Nisei who won the and U.S. Constitution. And just outside we are looking to benefit from Rob’s vast 2014 National Poetry Slam Competition Independence Hall is the iconic Liberty Bell, expertise with a rich explosion of films about and has obtained numerous other accolades, which is located in Independence National the Japanese American experience as part including the Individual World Poetry Slam Historic Park.

of a series of films to be shown throughout Finalist and Southern Fried Champion.

Oh and the food! The options are limitless, convention, both as part of the formal He has participated in the Heart Mountain including the famous cheesesteak sandwich. sessions but also concurrently with some of Pilgrimage the past two years, including There are plenty of places to get a great the National Council meetings. For some co-facilitating a storytelling workshop with cheesesteak in the city — everyone has their
We also need to pass our biennial budget, and we will soon know what resolutions will come before the council and if there will be any proposals to amend our constitution and bylaws. Yes, there will be a lot of business to

of those who are not delegates, these films pilgrimage attendees.

own allegiances, so perhaps try several!

  • There is much to do both as a part of
  • will provide a nice alternative. And what
  • And, of course, Philadelphia has much

better way to spend a hot summer day than to offer as a city. Our hotel, the Sheraton convention, but also in addition. We hope to

  • watching a movie?
  • Downtown Philadelphia, is located at the see you all in Philadelphia in July!

n

retired, I want to wake up each morning and live my life doing things that I love, looking forward to whatever the day will bring . . . .

A MOTHER’S TAKE

AFFIRMATION

Marsha Aizumi is an advocate in the LGBT community and author of the book “Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance.”

because he had been working for his dad for because an escrow company was looking for a long time. But this wasn’t his dream, either. an escrow assistant.

  • I explained to Stefen that I coached other
  • The following day, a Friday, Stefen had a

By Marsha Aizumi

managers and directors as a consultant and phone interview, followed three days later asked if he would like me to work with him. with an in-person interview. The day after A year ago, he would have said, “No.” But his interview, he got a job offer, and two at this point, he was willing to try anything. days later, he left for his new position We began his coaching session by creating as an escrow assistant. In seven

an affirmation that he promised to say at days, he had a job that he really least once a day. We first talked about his wanted.

PHOTO:

he power of affirmations was never more

COURTESY OF MARSHA AIZUMI

evident to me than this past week, as my youngest son, Stefen, continued to

T

struggle to find a job. He had sent out hundreds of résumés, filled out countless applications

and had been on a number of interviews. We practiced interview questions, reached out to people for internships and had reminders all

over the house of his dream to first work at a

bank and then work at an escrow company. The only job offer he received just recently came from AFLAC. He thought it was going to be a credit analyst position, but it was a sales job. So, after almost a year

of searching, I could feel his confidence

beginning to wane. He didn’t want a sales job, but if nobody would hire him, should he accept this offer? I encouraged him to listen to his heart, not settle for something he thought would make him miserable waking up each morning to go to work. He decided not to take the job.

  • positive qualities, such as being thoughtful,
  • Now, people can say that this

kind, dependable and punctual. Then, we was sheer coincidence that talked about how he felt in challenging after almost one year, in one times. Finally, we came up with some words week Stefen had a job. I choose that were the opposite of his feelings when to think that when he focused

  • faced with adversity.
  • on who he needed to be and

In the end, the affirmation he created was worked on being that person,
. . . “I am a passionate, confident, expressive he attracted what he wanted.

leader, waking up each morning and going I also think that when he was

to a job I love.” He taped this affirmation losing hope, he knew papa

to the walls of his bedroom. Perhaps I was and I would never give up on projecting what I wanted him to feel, but him. We all need someone who I sensed he was starting to have hope again. believes in us, even when we stop The next day, he ran into an old golf believing in ourselves.

  • coach, and he shared he was having a hard
  • I once heard a man say, “To

time finding a job after graduation. This think is to create. What are you

coach said he would make a few calls. creating now?” This time with Then, he bumped into the mother of an old Stefen has been a good reminder basketball teammate. She gave him a few for me to continue to think names to follow up on. Lastly, a high school positive thoughts and see myself friend asked if he was still looking for a job in a positive way. Although I am
Fortunately, since graduation, he had been working for papa, so at least his résumé did not show him being unemployed for one year. In fact, Aiden and I even encouraged Stefen to become papa’s building manager

Papa and Momma, so proud of Stefen

4

  • May 18-31, 2018
  • NATIONAL/COMMUNITY

JACL BOARD CONVENES TO PREPARE FOR

PHOTOS: SUSAN YOKOYAMA/ALLISON HARAMOTO

NEXT BIENNIUM CYCLE

By P.C. Staff

Nitaharaalsowishedforasmoothtransition to the National Board and staff as it prepares espite the monumental business of for its next phase and new biennium.

  • preparing itself for the next bienni-
  • “It has been an honor to work for JACL and

D

um cycle, which includes presenting to have the opportunity to meet leaders of all a proposed new budget for 2019-20 to the Na- generations. . . . I feel a deep sense of gratitional Council at July’s National Convention tude to this community that has given me so in Philadelphia, the JACL National Board much and am looking forward to continuing took the time on April 28 to recognize the to learn, grow and fight for social justice with efforts and dedication of Associate Executive you all in a different capacity.” DirectorStephanieNitahara, whoannounced her resignation effective May 4.
In other business, Inoue highlighted several areas of involvement for the organization,
During the organization’s quarterly meet- including continuing support of the DACA

ing at its national headquarters office in San and DREAM initiatives, as well as advocacy

Francisco, the National Board thanked Ni- efforts to garner support of the recently sub-

tahara for her more than five years of service. mitted Senate letter regarding the Japanese

“Stephanie Nitahara has tendered her resig- American Confinement Sites Program.

Current JACL National Board Members (front row, from left) Chip

Larouche, Haruka Roudebush, Gary Mayeda, Betsy Sato and Mat-

thew Farrells and (back row, from

left) Janet Komoto, Carol Kawase, Kenji Kuramitsu, Carol Kawamoto, Michelle Amano, Jeffrey Moy, Alan

Nishi, Roberta Barton and Scott

Nakamura. (Not pictured is Kota Mizutani.)

  • nation,”announcedExecutiveDirectorDavid
  • Secretary/Treasurer Alan Nishi presented

Inoue. “We are grateful for her leadership and his financial report, saying that investment the work she has done for JACL both as a vol- income and public support saved JACL in unteer and as staff and hopefully continuing 2017; he also urged caution moving forward.

JACL’s Gary Mayeda (left) and David Inoue thanked Stephanie Nitahara for her many years of service.

  • as a volunteer for the future.”
  • “In reality, it looks great going into 2018,

In a statement given to the organization, but we can’t make assumptions that what Nitahara praised JACL for the opportunities happened last year would carry over into this given to her, in particular, her role in working year. We’re going to be monitoring that pretty with the National Youth/Student Council.
“The NY/SC has always brought to life my

  • closelybetweennowandconvention,”hesaid. support (bequests) and membership.
  • municate to [our chapters]? If it’s something

  • Fiscal year 2017 revenue over expenses
  • Conversation then centered around the that we need to do a better job of explain-

work with JACL,” she said. “This is where I were $559,000 in the black; year-to-date importance of communication across all ing and understanding, then we need to do

  • got my start with the organization, and I hope revenue exceeded the budget by $554,000.
  • levels of the organization.
  • it at convention. We need to be able to make

that the NY/SC will continue to receive sup-

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  • Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston Pearl Harbor, Houston Was Just Seven Years Old

    Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston Pearl Harbor, Houston Was Just Seven Years Old

    e Wakatsuki Houston Notable Asi in the field of edu " by San FTI D Nikkei in Edu- prodded. Houston was stunned. "He asked me a question cation in 1989. no one had ever asked before, a question I had never dared ask myself. Feel? How did I feel? For the first time I Hongo has written for numerous publications, includ- dropped the protective cover of humor and nonchalance. ing the history chapter in Strength and Diversity: A Study I allowed myself to 'feel.' I began to cry. I couldn't stop cry- Guide for Elementary Schools on Japanese American Women ing," Houston wrote in her essay. (1990) and "Shattering Myths: Japanese American Educa- tional Issues" in The Education of Asian and Pacific Ameri- Houston realized that the camp experiences were too cans, published in 1982. She was general editor of Japanese difficult and too painful for her to talk about. "[PJerhaps I American Journey: Tlie Story of a People, published by JACP in could write a memoir, a history—just for the family," 1985. Houston considered. That history became Farewell to Manzanar, a haunting recollection of the Wakatsuki fam- JACP, which changed its name to Asian American Cur- ily's memories of three-and a half years of unjustified riculum Project or AACP in 1994, continues to be the vehi- imprisonment. Co-written with her husband, James D. cle through which Hongo teaches. "I can always call Houston, who is also a writer, Farewell to Manzanar was a Florence when I need a resource or a book," said Carol breakthrough accomplishment.
  • Surprising—Interesting—Troubling Quotes Relating to Japanese-American Internment

    Surprising—Interesting—Troubling Quotes Relating to Japanese-American Internment

    S—I—T (SURPRISING—INTERESTING—TROUBLING QUOTES RELATING TO JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT What do you find surprising, interesting, and/or troubling about the following quotes? 1. So as soon as I took them home, three tall white men were at my door, and my father had just come home from the hospital the day before. And when I opened the door to the white men who were knocking on the door, they asked if a Mr. Nakahara lived there. I said, "Oh, yeah, but he just came home from the hospital, and he's sleeping in the back." Well, these three guys walked in -- I didn't know what they were 'til later, but it was the FBI identification. And they didn't say anything, they just went in the house, went into the back, woke up my father and said, "Put on your bathrobe and slippers," I guess. And they took him away just like that. And so I called my mother, I was the only one home then, and she was just down the street at my aunt's. And I said, "Mom, come home quick. Some guys, some white men came and they took Pop somewhere, I don't know where, and they didn't tell me anything." And so she came home. And I think probably this was happening to a lot of other Japanese, and so we were calling each other up saying, "Did anyone come to your house yet?" Some of the people said yes, some said no, but they said they all had heard over the radio that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
  • It Can't Be Helped 1

    It Can't Be Helped 1

    5/6/2015 part 2 7 The American Friends Service helped us find a small house in Boyle Heights, another minority ghetto, in downtown Los Angeles, now inhabited briefly by a few hundred Terminal Island refugees. Executive Order 9066 had been signed by President Roosevelt, giving the War Department authority to define military areas in the western states and to exclude from them anyone who might threaten the war effort. There was a lot of talk about internment, or moving inland, or something like that in store for all Japanese Americans. I remember my brothers sitting around the table talking very intently about what we were going to do, how we would keep the family together. They had seen how quickly Papa was removed, and they knew now that he would not be back for quite a while. Just before leaving Terminal Island Mama had received her first letter, from Bismarck, North Dakota. He had been imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, in an all-male camp for enemy aliens. 8 Papa had been the patriarch. He had always decided everything in the family. With him gone, my brothers, like councilors in the absence of a chief, worried about what should be done. The ironic thing is, there wasn’t much left to decide. These were mainly days of quiet, desperate waiting for what seemed at the time to be inevitable. There is a phrase the Japanese use in such situations, when something difficult must be endured. You would hear the older heads, the issei, telling others very quietly, “Shikata ga nai” (It cannot be helped).
  • FAREWELL to MANZANAR Created to Accompany the Memoir by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D

    FAREWELL to MANZANAR Created to Accompany the Memoir by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D

    Teaching FAREWELL TO MANZANAR Created to accompany the memoir by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston Teaching FAREWELL TO MANZANAR Created to accompany the memoir by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical development of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide, students make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives. For more information about Facing History and Ourselves, please visit our website at www.facinghistory.org. Copyright © 2018 by Facing History and Ourselves, Inc. All rights reserved. Facing History and Ourselves® is a trademark registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. ISBN: 978-1-940457-25-3 CONTENTS Using This Study Guide 1 Exploring the Central Question 1 Section Elements 2 Helping Students Process Emotionally Powerful Material 3 Section 1 Defining Identity and Injustice 7 Overview 7 Pre-Reading Activities 7 Exploring the Text 10 Connecting to the Central Question 12 Activities for Deeper Understanding 12 Extension Activities 14 Handout: Experiences of Injustice 15 Reading: Overview of Japanese Internment during World War II 16 Reading: The Joe DiMaggio Factor 19 Reading: Instructions to All People of Japanese Descent 20 Reading: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report 22 Reading: Can’t Tell 23 Section 2 Questions of Loyalty 25 Overview 25 Exploring the Text 25 Connecting to the Central Question 27 Activities for Deeper Understanding 27 Extension Activities 31 Reading: Amendments to the Constitution 32 Reading: Hirabayashi v.
  • Farewell to Manzanar WELCOME! OVERVIEW

    Farewell to Manzanar WELCOME! OVERVIEW

    Searching for Democracy DISCUSSION GUIDE farewell to manzanar WELCOME! OVERVIEW Welcome to California Reads, a statewide pro- California Reads is a new program of Cal Humanities developed in gram that brings Californians together to ex- partnership with the California Center for the Book and the Cali- plore important topics through reading and fornia State Library. It invites Californians from all walks of life discussion. This year, our theme is Searching For throughout our state to participate in reading and discussion pro- Democracy. What does democracy mean to us? grams and related activities hosted by libraries, schools, colleges, What challenges has American democracy faced bookstores and other community institutions. in the past? How can we strengthen our democ- racy in the future? How can we talk and work We have selected a slate of books this year to stimulate a thought- together despite our differences? What can we ful reflection of, and lively discussion among, friends and neigh- learn from the experiences of others who have bors, family and strangers about the past, present, and future of struggled with these questions? democracy. Five thought-provoking books were chosen from a pool of over 300 titles nominated by members of the public, and based California Reads offers a choice of five superb upon the final recommendations of an advisory group of librarians, books to act as a springboard for community authors, scholars, publishers and critics. discussion. These works include fiction as well as non-fiction, and were written by men and These five books were selected: women of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.