THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE JACL Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2017 » PAGE 6 A UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP A new exhibit at the FDR Presidential Library sheds » PAGE 2 light on the JACL’s friendship API Legislative Caucus Opposes with First Lady Eleanor Tule Lake Fence. Roosevelt. » PAGE 8 PAAFF Features In this photo, taken by Clem Albers on April 5, 1942, “Evacuees” arrive under guard at the Santa Anita Assembly Center in Arcadia, Calif. The image is part of “Images of Internment: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans During Japanese American World War II” at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y. Showcase. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY/NATIONAL ARCHIVES WWW.PACIFICCITIZEN.ORG #3309 / VOL. 165, No. 8 ISSN: 0030-8579 2 Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2017 COMMUNITY/LETTER TO THE EDITOR HOW TO REACH US API LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS OPPOSES PROPOSED Email: [email protected] Online: www.pacificcitizen.org Tel: (213) 620-1767 FENCE AT TULELAKE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT Mail: 123 Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 embers of the Califor- Landmark, California Historical and make progress. Construction (D-San Jose) Los Angeles, CA 90012 nia Asian Pacific Islan- Landmark and one of only nine of a fence will impede access to a Assemblymember STAFF der Legislative Caucus sites of the World War II Valor in place that holds significance to our Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) Executive Editor Msubmitted a letter to Modoc County the Pacific National Monument. American history. Senate President Pro Tempore Allison Haramoto Road Commissioner Mitch Crosby “Tule Lake was a Japanese The API Legislative Caucus Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) Senior Editor on Oct. 10, opposing the propo- maximum-security internment urges Modoc County to honor Sen. Richard Pan Digital & Social Media George Johnston sed fence at Tulelake Municipal camp where the federal government those Japanese Americans who (D-Sacramento) Business Manager Airport in Modoc County. forced more than 24,000 Japanese were unjustly incarcerated and stop The API Legislative Caucus, Susan Yokoyama The contents of the letter is as Americans to relocate, including the proposed fence at the Tulelake established in 2001, represents Production Artist follows: two former members of the Califor- Municipal Airport. We appreciate and advocates for the interests of Marie Samonte “On behalf of the California nia State Legislature. Not only was your consideration of this issue.” the diverse API communities Circulation Eva Ting Asian Pacific Islander (API) Le- it one of 10 camps where Japanese The letter was signed by: throughout California. gislative Caucus, we are writing in Americans were sent during World Assemblymember Rob Bonta In regards to the Tulelake Air- The Pacific Citizen newspaper (ISSN: 0030-8579) is published strong opposition to the proposed War II, it was also considered to (D-Oakland), chair, API port fence, Modoc County recently fence at the Tulelake Municipal be the site of with the harshest and semi-monthly (except once in Legislative Caucus sent out notices requesting public December and January) by the Airport in Modoc County. more severe conditions. Assemblymember Phil Ting “comment” on the airport fence it Japanese American Citizens League, Pacific Citizen, 123 “The California API Legislati- “The site at Tule Lake remains (D-San Francisco), vice chair, sought to construct over the past ve Caucus prides itself in its work as a physical reminder of the dark Ellison S. Onizuka St., Suite 313 API Legislative Caucus decade to close off the airport Los Angeles, CA 90012 and advocacy to ensure that Asian time in our history, marred with Assemblymember Ed Chau that occupies two-thirds of the Periodical postage paid at L.A., CA Americans and Pacific Islanders segregation and hatred against Ja- (D-Monterey Park) concentration camp site. have a strong voice in our commu- panese Americans during World POSTMASTER: Send address Assemblymember Kansen Chu The Tule Lake Committee has changes to National JACL, 1765 nity and State Capitol. This is why War II. Preventing further damage (D-San Jose) been asking for the public’s assis- Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94115 we are standing behind the preser- to this landmark is imperative be- Assemblymember Todd Gloria tance in responding to the county’s vation of the Tule Lake War Relo- cause it serves to educate future ge- (D-San Diego) request for comment in order to JACL President: Gary Mayeda cation Center, a site that has been nerations about the mistakes of our Executive Director: David Inoue Assemblymember Ash Kalra save the site from destruction. n Interim Assistant Executive designated as a National Historic past in an effort to learn from them Director: Stephanie Nitahara P.C. EDITORIAL BOARD Gil Asakawa, chairperson; Jody Mitori, MDC; Joy Goto, CCDC; Jim Letter to the Editor Duff, NCWNPDC; Chip Larouche, PHOTO: COURTESY OF PHIL SHIGEKUNI in Gil Asakawa’s column regarding the P.C.’s PNWDC; Kayla Watanabe, IDC; financial need, and he then contacted Gil. Tom John Saito Jr., PSWDC; Dear Editor, says he served as vice president of a JACL Chap- Juli Yoshinaga, Youth rep. SUBSCRIBE I write in regard to Tom Ige, a recent resident ter in San Jose back in the 1980s, but lost JACL Get a one-year subscription of at Nikkei Senior Garden in Arleta (San Fernan- contact when he moved to Southern California. the Pacific Citizen newspaper at: www.pacificcitizen.org or call do Valley). It was reported in the Pacific Citizen Tom told me he has always valued his subsc- (213) 620-1767 (Feb. 24-March 9, 2017) that Tom made a sizeab- ription to the Pacific Citizen, which keeps him ADVERTISE le donation to the newspaper, and I felt the need abreast of important issues and news pertinent To advertise in the Pacific Citizen, to meet with him to thank him for his generosity. to JACL and the rest of our community. He Pictured (clockwise from front left) are call (213) 620-1767 or e-mail: [email protected] I got together with former chapter president hopes that his donation encourages others to San Fernando JACL’s Phil Shigekuni LEGAL Harold Kameya and his wife, Ellen, to meet with donate to the Pacific Citizen and become mem- and Harold Kameya with Tom Ige and No part of this publication may be Tom and myself for breakfast at a restaurant. bers of JACL, as the P.C.’s longevity is pertinent San Fernando JACL’s Ellen Kameya. reproduced without the express permission of the Pacific Citizen. Ellen told us her maiden name was Ige, and her to aiding JACL’s overall mission and values. Editorials, letters, news and the brother had written a book about the village in Harold is our membership chair and was quick opinions expressed by columnists meeting this month. other than the national JACL Okinawa where the Ige’s originated. She brought to email him a membership application for our president or national director the book to the restaurant and presented it chapter (JACL gifted Tom a Lifetime Member- Sincerely, do not necessarily reflect JACL policy. Events and products to Tom. ship in appreciation of his donation). It was good Phil Shigekuni, advertised in the P.C. do not We asked Tom how he had come to decide to getting to know Tom, and thank him, over break- President, San Fernando carry the implicit endorsement of the JACL or this publication. We donate to the Pacific Citizen. He said he read fast. I invited him to attend our next JACL board Valley Chapter JACL reserve the right to edit articles. © 2017 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 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 Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2017 3 A MOTHER’S TAKE ‘The Great Nisei Reunion III’ PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MARSHA AIZUMI Ishibashi’s dream of bringing to- gether Niseis for one last time to hear music from the camp days, By Marsha Aizumi which included the Harry James Orchestra, the Modernaires, the Is- Four Mary Kageyama Nomura ne of the things that my land Crooners and Mary Kageya- generations with her granddaughter, work in the LGBTQ (les- ma Nomura, the Songbird of Man- of the Brittany Ishibashi bian, gay, bisexual, tran- zanar, I was really intrigued. Ishibashi Osgender, queer) area has done is Gerald has been a promoter of family not only think about my parents brought me closer to my Nikkei music for as long as I can remem- attend a roots, especially understanding the ber — the Beach Boys, Kool and and grandparents with gratitude previous and love, but I will also be thinking concentration camps during World the Gang, Three Dog Night (just to “Great Nisei War II. name a few) — and he even per- about the Niseis and Isseis who Reunion” lived through a difficult time with My parents never talked much forms with the Society of Seven concert. about their experience at Gila Ri- from Hawaii. But when I hear grace, strength and faith, giving ver. Growing up, my dad used to him talk about this project, it is us all an example of how to say, “If you can’t say something different. He says these Nisei pro- the Issei and Nisei had to endure your dreams. Every time he faced face challenges and emerge not nice, don’t say anything at all.” grams have been the most fulfil- after camp. Many had lost every- a challenge of being a Japanese defeated but defined by it all.