UC Merced UC Merced Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Rising Power? Latinos in California Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5hd1j1ng Author Yamada, Gayle K. Publication Date 2015 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED RISING POWER? LATINOS IN CALIFORNIA A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Humanities by gayle kim yamada Committee in charge: Professor Gregg Camfield, Chair Professor Susan Amussen Professor Rudy Ortiz Professor Linda-Anne Rebhun © 2015 gayle kim yamada All rights reserved The Dissertation of gayle kim yamada is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication on microfilm and electronically: ________________________________________________________________ Susan Amussen ________________________________________________________________ Rudy Ortiz ________________________________________________________________ Linda-Anne Rebhun ________________________________________________________________ Gregg Camfield, Chair University of California, Merced 2015 "iii DEDICATION To my first teachers: my parents, Kiyo Nishida Yamada and Gordon Tamio Yamada; and to my son, Drew. You are forever with me.! "iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents v Acknowledgements vi Author’s C.V. viii Abstract x Setting the Stage: A Poet’s Observation xi Preface xii Change in Country of Birth for U.S. Immigrants, 1910-2010 xiii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 Methodology and Review of Literature 32 Chapter 3 Themes 98 Chapter 4 Interpretation and Analysis 161 Chapter 5 Conclusion 196 Appendix I Interviewee Data 217 Appendix II Sample Questions 219 Sources 220 "v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As we will see in these pages, nothing is ever done alone. I have many people to whom I am grateful, starting with Bruno Cohen, Darryl Compton, and Gary Mukai, who wrote letters of recommendation for me when I applied to the University of California, Merced. I am fortunate to be part of an evolving interdisciplinary program in the social sciences and humanities. Each of my advisors represented a different discipline, and showed me different lenses through which to examine power and narrative. Gregg Camfield has guided me since agreeing to be my primary advisor before I applied to UC Merced. His deep intellect made every conversation we had over the years a joy, and he challenged my mind’s boundaries. Susan Amussen’s interest in power hierarchies and social structures brought depth to my studies. She is an early modern British historian, and I marvel at how she makes her studies of the past relevant today. As founding director of UC Merced’s Center for the Humanities, she sees how many disciplines create the big picture. Linda-Anne Rebhun’s thoughts and many suggestions broadened my thinking; she often seemingly went off on a tangent then skillfully brought the thought back to the center. Rudy Ortiz complemented my committee by bringing in a different discipline and perspective from the physical sciences.——__—Simón Weffer’s sociological insights guided my studies in the early stages. Other faculty that were especially helpful to me are Ruth Mostern, who was available to me for advice before I applied to UC Merced and, as an historian and the director of the Interdisciplinary Humanities Graduate Group for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, was a go-to person throughout my academic journey; Robin DeLugan, whose active mind continually came up with ideas to enhance my studies; and Jeff Yoshimi who introduced me to phenomenology from a philosophical standpoint. The library was a crucial resource. The world went digital between the time I got my master’s degree and now, and Donald Barclay, Deputy University Librarian, answered a plethora of questions, often turning me to a new source or method of investigation. Denice Sawatzky, especially, and Mary Weppler, and their many student assistants were invaluable. In my final stages, the staff at the University of California, Davis, solved last-minute problems. Others to whom I owe a debt of gratitude are Mitch Ylarregui, graduate program coordinator for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, who was always willing to answer my questions; Jan Mendenhall, whose constant support and friendship are treasured beyond words; Greer Sullivan, my undergraduate college roommate whose academic probing gave me insights; Dianne Fukami who as my business partner and friend is without equal; and Janet Soto Mukai, friend, confidante, and sister. My daughter, Heather Yamada-Hosley, transcribed interviews outside her work hours, and encouraged me in a way that no one other than a daughter as special as she is, can. Unquestionably, I could not have had the freedom to pursue this doctorate without the continued support of my spouse, David Hosley; he is my constant in this changing landscape of life. My father, Gordon Tamio Yamada, showed me the path to get a doctorate, though he was all but dissertation, having a family of four young children to support in "vi the 1960s. He altered his dream and our lives by choosing to pursue his career with a new job. My mother, Kiyo Nishida Yamada, is a role model of quiet determination and perseverance. Both second-generation Japanese Americans, they were touched by their incarceration in camps during World War II; nonetheless they encouraged my curiosity in the world around me that included a love of learning. Getting a doctorate is an emotional journey as well as an intellectual pursuit, and they were always with me, my father in spirit and my mother in person, inspiring me throughout my endeavors. My deep appreciation goes to my interview subjects who each gave me thoughtful and interesting interviews. And I am grateful to the many people too numerous to mention who supported me on this journey. Thanks to the Pew Research Center for allowing me to reprint the opening graphic showing the immigration shift from Europe to Mexico over the past century, and to the University of California, Merced, for two fellowships, the World Cultures Support Fellowship and the World Cultures Graduate Bobcat Award. "vii CURRICULUM VITAE: gayle k. yamada EDUCATION Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Humanities 2009-2015 University of California, Merced Dissertation title: Rising Power? Latinos in California M.A. in Communication with a specialty in International Communication 1982-1985 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Named Outstanding Graduate Student B.A. in English 1972-1976 College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA ACADEMIA University of California, Merced University-wide committees ◆External Library Review Committee (periodic review of UC Merced’s library unit) ◆World Cultures Graduate Group Conference Steering Committee ◆Spendlove Prize Committee (selection panel for national award for social justice) Graduate Student Researcher for the Center for the Humanities. Re-formatted existing web page, populated new web site, worked with the director to systemize infrastructure. Project manager for a number of videos on the Academic Innovation and the American Research Institution Symposium. Created, designed, formatted, and populated the eScholarship site for the Office of the Chancellor, in conjunction with the UC Merced library. Video and print elements (independent contractor). Faculty Development Coordinator for Media, Center for Research on Teaching Excellence, 2010-2011 (one year, grant-based staff position). California State University, Sacramento, Lecturer, 2005 and 2007 Course: The Biracial and Multiracial Experience; first time it was offered at CSUS Course: Asian American Women Crystal Springs Uplands, Instructor, 1996 and 1997. Course: Video Production Stanford University, Lecturer, 1995. Course: Broadcast News (Reporting, writing, production) College of Notre Dame; University of Florida; Florida International University. Guest lecturer. Lecture topics included Writing, Announcing, Women in Broadcast News PUBLICATIONS Building a Community: The Story of Japanese Americans in San Mateo County, 2003. Co-author. Hard News: Women in Broadcast Journalism, 1987. Co-author of a book on the history of women in broadcast news. Published by Greenwood Press. "viii WORK HISTORY Bridge Media, Inc. 1994-present —Co-founded media production and consultation company —Direct, produce, and write television/DVD programs Media Bridges, Inc. 1994-present —Co-founded non-profit educational media company that works with libraries, schools, and non-profit community organizations to create educational television programs and media projects KQED-TV, San Franciso, Executive Producer for National Productions, and Director of Children’s and Cultural Programs KPIX-TV, San Francisco, weekday assignment editor and writer WPLG-TV, Miami, news producer WUFT-FM, Gainesville, FL, news director and local Morning Edition host. Created statewide news and business programs. Hosted several public radio programs. KCBS-AM, San Francisco, as the daytime editor in charge SELECT BOARDS AND PANELS Board of Trustees, Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto, CA, 2010-2013 Board of Governors, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Vice-President, Smaller Markets, 2008-2012; National trustee, 1996-1997; Secretary, 1994-1996; Governor, 1990-1994 Past board member, Asian American Journalists Association Have served on National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting