Why I joined the JACL (and Stayed!)
In the short essays below, some of our members explain why they joined the San Fernando Valley JACL and have stayed members. As you'll see the answers vary - some were drawn to our social justice work while others wanted a connection to Japanese American history and culture. In all cases our chapter has helped enrich our members' lives in some way.
Marcia Mahony
Both of my parents were involved with the JACL for many years. During that time I occasionally attended JACL events where I was introduced to several of the current board members. At one of those events, Mitzi Kushida asked if I would like to be on the JACL Board and fill the spot left by my mother. How could I say “no” to that?! In addition to carrying on the legacy, I wanted to contribute to the organization that promotes social justice issues, cultural activities, and educational programs for youth.
Naomi Suenaka
Quite honestly I joined the SFVJACL because I wanted to be involved in an organization associated with the San Fernando Japanese American Center and I was asked by Nancy Gohata to join. I knew very little about the JACL and their mission.
After joining I discovered that the JACL has been a long time champion and advocate of civil rights for all persons. The JACL is active in reminding and teaching about the trauma and injustice suffered by the Japanese Americans before, during and after World World II. It has worked diligently to put a stop to any concept of any type of discrimination towards any ethnic, cultural, or minority (such as the LGBT) group.
In addition to the civil activism the SFVJACL provides a variety of educational and social activities for old and young. Although I don’t have the opportunity to participate in as many activities of the SFVJACL as I would like, whenever I do I am always welcomed warmly by the members but especially by the three Nancys, Mitzi, Patty, Barbara and Sumi.
After joining I discovered that the JACL has been a long time champion and advocate of civil rights for all persons. The JACL is active in reminding and teaching about the trauma and injustice suffered by the Japanese Americans before, during and after World World II. It has worked diligently to put a stop to any concept of any type of discrimination towards any ethnic, cultural, or minority (such as the LGBT) group.
In addition to the civil activism the SFVJACL provides a variety of educational and social activities for old and young. Although I don’t have the opportunity to participate in as many activities of the SFVJACL as I would like, whenever I do I am always welcomed warmly by the members but especially by the three Nancys, Mitzi, Patty, Barbara and Sumi.
Patricia Takayama
When I moved to Sacramento to work for the Senate, I only knew two couples, all four people I’d known from law school. One introduced me to Twyla Tomita and Andy Noguchi. Andy invited me to attend a meeting of the Florin chapter of the JACL, headed by Mary Tsukamoto.
Mary was a dynamo in generating support for Redress and Reparations. She testified at the hearings on Wartime Internment and subsequently wrote a book: “We The People: A Story of Internment in America.” She was an articulate teacher and motivated those around her to volunteer and become involved with the JACL. Mary and the other members of the Florin chapter were quick to include me in their activities and by the second meeting I’d been enlisted to take over the newsletter. The members were all friendly and welcoming and encouraged me to take liberties with the newsletter format, which I did to my advantage. I started a column called, “Chanpon.” In it, I included the recipes that people had submitted, but I also added some poetry.
I believe it was Mary Tsukamoto’s energy and commitment to Redress and Reparations that inspired me to join the Florin chapter of the JACL. Before I met Mary, I felt that the JACL was a late comer to the Redress movement and not a particularly activist organization. Whereas, it was Mary’s view, that the organization was what we made of it. It was through our efforts that policies were formulated and pushed forward. That was the teacher in her. She made you believe that we could change the world a little at a time. She is not the kind of person you can forget or would want to disappoint. In fact, like a loving parent, she was the kind of person you worked diligently for to seek her approval.
I joined the SFV JACL chapter while my sister Nancy was president and I was living in North Carolina. She pointed out that members of the SFV JACL chapter were a politically progressive and active group. She noted that Phil Shigekuni was an early supporter of Redress and Reparations and worked with the National Coalition on Redress and Reparations (NCRR). She also noted that while Tak Yamamoto was president, he led the SFV JACL chapter to offer forums in support of Gay rights in the mid-1990s before other civil rights organizations had declared their support. The fact that the SFV JACL chapter has been vocal about its support of civil rights and articulated positions in support of individuals and persons who were targets of discrimination, makes me glad that I joined a chapter standing up for civil rights when standing up is difficult or when others are indifferent or lack the initiative.
My father used to complain that no one (except the Quakers, American Friends Service Committee) ever came to the defense of the Japanese Americans when they were being removed and incarcerated. It made me ponder my responsibility to my neighbors and friends. If I had been around in 1942, would I have done anything? Would I have acquiesced to government and military authority? Might I have been one of those people my father complained about, who failed to act, to speak out in defense of the Japanese Americans? Perhaps, alone, I might do nothing, but that’s why I am pleased to be a member of one of the most active and progressive JACL chapters in the U.S.
Mary was a dynamo in generating support for Redress and Reparations. She testified at the hearings on Wartime Internment and subsequently wrote a book: “We The People: A Story of Internment in America.” She was an articulate teacher and motivated those around her to volunteer and become involved with the JACL. Mary and the other members of the Florin chapter were quick to include me in their activities and by the second meeting I’d been enlisted to take over the newsletter. The members were all friendly and welcoming and encouraged me to take liberties with the newsletter format, which I did to my advantage. I started a column called, “Chanpon.” In it, I included the recipes that people had submitted, but I also added some poetry.
I believe it was Mary Tsukamoto’s energy and commitment to Redress and Reparations that inspired me to join the Florin chapter of the JACL. Before I met Mary, I felt that the JACL was a late comer to the Redress movement and not a particularly activist organization. Whereas, it was Mary’s view, that the organization was what we made of it. It was through our efforts that policies were formulated and pushed forward. That was the teacher in her. She made you believe that we could change the world a little at a time. She is not the kind of person you can forget or would want to disappoint. In fact, like a loving parent, she was the kind of person you worked diligently for to seek her approval.
I joined the SFV JACL chapter while my sister Nancy was president and I was living in North Carolina. She pointed out that members of the SFV JACL chapter were a politically progressive and active group. She noted that Phil Shigekuni was an early supporter of Redress and Reparations and worked with the National Coalition on Redress and Reparations (NCRR). She also noted that while Tak Yamamoto was president, he led the SFV JACL chapter to offer forums in support of Gay rights in the mid-1990s before other civil rights organizations had declared their support. The fact that the SFV JACL chapter has been vocal about its support of civil rights and articulated positions in support of individuals and persons who were targets of discrimination, makes me glad that I joined a chapter standing up for civil rights when standing up is difficult or when others are indifferent or lack the initiative.
My father used to complain that no one (except the Quakers, American Friends Service Committee) ever came to the defense of the Japanese Americans when they were being removed and incarcerated. It made me ponder my responsibility to my neighbors and friends. If I had been around in 1942, would I have done anything? Would I have acquiesced to government and military authority? Might I have been one of those people my father complained about, who failed to act, to speak out in defense of the Japanese Americans? Perhaps, alone, I might do nothing, but that’s why I am pleased to be a member of one of the most active and progressive JACL chapters in the U.S.
linda Keiko Kuratomi
I joined the JACL for many reasons. When I graduated high school, I was given a scholarship by the SFV JACL. I know many of the organization’s members through associations at the SFV Community Center and the SFV Buddhist Temple. I knew the organization was instrumental in getting reparation for the Japanese Americans who were displaced to relocation camps during WWII and because my daughter, Traci, received several scholarships from the JACL. Traci became a member of JACL in 2005, so she started receiving the Pacific Citizen newspaper. I would find myself looking over the articles and I became interested in what the organization was doing. I decided to join because I am now at a place in my life where I can do more to try and give back to the community. The members whom I have met are caring, intelligent and know how to want to “make a difference."
mitzi kushida
It was 1967 and I wanted Japanese culture and JA connection for our young family. JACL sounded like an honest, forthright group that would help me protect my civil rights, feel comfortable, and have fun at the same time. National JACL along with this Chapter has broadened and enriched my understanding/knowledge in the area of civil rights, especially as a Japanese American. It’s been 45 years and I’m still on the SFV JACL Chapter Board, and enjoying the myriad of interesting activities related to civil rights and Japanese American issues.
Brian Moriguchi
Throughout my life including young adulthood, I really didn't see a benefit to belonging to a civil rights organization. Although I knew racism existed, I hadn't experienced any serious racism or civil rights violations growing up. That all changed in 1996. As a young deputy sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, I faced hatred and racism in dealing with the criminal element. But I expected that and prepared myself in handling those situations. What I wasn't prepared for was facing racism within the Sheriff's Department. Sure, I knew there were racist cops, but I also knew that the Sheriff's Department had policies prohibiting racist conduct and I thought they would not tolerate such behavior. I was wrong. Dealing with racism in law enforcement is one thing. Dealing with a police agency that not only tolerated racism amongst its employees, but covered it up was another thing. It was the toughest decision in my life, but I decided to take a stand against the racist conduct as well as challenge my employer for not only covering up the misconduct but also threatening me if I said anything.
It was at that time I realized the importance of civil rights organizations. Ultimately, I won a lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department. The JACL and other civil rights organizations stood by my side as I addressed the Board of Supervisors asking for greater independent oversight of the Sheriff's Department's handling of internal complaints. Shortly thereafter, I joined the SFVJACL and have been a member ever since. I have also gotten involved in combating hate crimes and work now as a union president helping other employees who face managerial misconduct.
To this day, I still suffer from my decision 15 years ago. I have been denied promotions and transfers (though I did promote to the rank of lieutenant) and have strong adversaries very high in the Sheriff's Department (note: not Sheriff Baca. Sheriff Baca has been a strong supporter in combating misconduct and racism).
If I had to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Racism exists today even though it isn't as prevalent or conspicuous as in the 1940s or 1960s. We still need to take a stand against civil rights violations to prevent us from going "back to the 'ol days." Without outspoken opposition and organizations like the JACL, racism can and will creep back into our society and thrive. We nearly saw that post 9-11 in the treatment of Muslim Americans. I truly believe it was the attention paid to the wrongfulness of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII that prevented the same from occurring to Muslim Americans. As long as there are people with different views and different beliefs, there will be a need for the protection of civil rights. That is the importance of JACL and why it needs to continue to survive. That is why it is important to be a member and support the JACL mission. I guarantee even if you have not experienced racism, it still exists and many others are having to deal with it even today. It is not an easy thing to go through alone. I know. Thank you, JACL.
It was at that time I realized the importance of civil rights organizations. Ultimately, I won a lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department. The JACL and other civil rights organizations stood by my side as I addressed the Board of Supervisors asking for greater independent oversight of the Sheriff's Department's handling of internal complaints. Shortly thereafter, I joined the SFVJACL and have been a member ever since. I have also gotten involved in combating hate crimes and work now as a union president helping other employees who face managerial misconduct.
To this day, I still suffer from my decision 15 years ago. I have been denied promotions and transfers (though I did promote to the rank of lieutenant) and have strong adversaries very high in the Sheriff's Department (note: not Sheriff Baca. Sheriff Baca has been a strong supporter in combating misconduct and racism).
If I had to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Racism exists today even though it isn't as prevalent or conspicuous as in the 1940s or 1960s. We still need to take a stand against civil rights violations to prevent us from going "back to the 'ol days." Without outspoken opposition and organizations like the JACL, racism can and will creep back into our society and thrive. We nearly saw that post 9-11 in the treatment of Muslim Americans. I truly believe it was the attention paid to the wrongfulness of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII that prevented the same from occurring to Muslim Americans. As long as there are people with different views and different beliefs, there will be a need for the protection of civil rights. That is the importance of JACL and why it needs to continue to survive. That is why it is important to be a member and support the JACL mission. I guarantee even if you have not experienced racism, it still exists and many others are having to deal with it even today. It is not an easy thing to go through alone. I know. Thank you, JACL.
linda tanaka
When I was asked why I joined the JACL, I had to really think about it and realized that I was efficiently recruited by Nancy Gohata and it turned out to be the best thing for me.
Nancy approached me at line dancing class and stated that I should attend a JACL meeting this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm. I would find it interesting with different activities through out the year and the people are really nice. I thought this is what I needed to fill the void in my life after losing my husband. Not knowing what JACL stood for, I thought it was a social group and I looked forward to attending the meeting. Well, lo and behold, the meeting was a board meeting and Nancy introduced me as a new board member. I was warmly greeted and the people were very accepting and comfortable. I was overwhelmed and what would I do but smile.
The JACL has exposed and made me aware of civil rights and what the Japanese Americans suffered and endured during and after the war. Being born and raised in Hawaii, I did not experience any prejudice. In fact, in high school, we governed the school. Only after moving to Los Angeles and married a mainlander (kotonk) did I hear camp stories from my in-laws and husband. Even then, it did not make that much of an impact.
Today, I appreciate what JACL is doing to maintain civil rights and to preserve our Japanese culture for the future generations. I learned about the Peruvian Japanese internment in the US, the NO, NO Boys, the hardships and conflicts in camps and even white Americans helping to save a Buddhist temple during the war. And Nancy was right! The board members are very impressive with their passion, intelligence, energy, generosity and they are very, very nice. I am impressed and have learned a lot from our board members.
Nancy approached me at line dancing class and stated that I should attend a JACL meeting this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm. I would find it interesting with different activities through out the year and the people are really nice. I thought this is what I needed to fill the void in my life after losing my husband. Not knowing what JACL stood for, I thought it was a social group and I looked forward to attending the meeting. Well, lo and behold, the meeting was a board meeting and Nancy introduced me as a new board member. I was warmly greeted and the people were very accepting and comfortable. I was overwhelmed and what would I do but smile.
The JACL has exposed and made me aware of civil rights and what the Japanese Americans suffered and endured during and after the war. Being born and raised in Hawaii, I did not experience any prejudice. In fact, in high school, we governed the school. Only after moving to Los Angeles and married a mainlander (kotonk) did I hear camp stories from my in-laws and husband. Even then, it did not make that much of an impact.
Today, I appreciate what JACL is doing to maintain civil rights and to preserve our Japanese culture for the future generations. I learned about the Peruvian Japanese internment in the US, the NO, NO Boys, the hardships and conflicts in camps and even white Americans helping to save a Buddhist temple during the war. And Nancy was right! The board members are very impressive with their passion, intelligence, energy, generosity and they are very, very nice. I am impressed and have learned a lot from our board members.
harold kameya
I was born and raised on Maui, and had not known of the incarceration of Japanese Americans until I moved to Los Angeles. We have lived in the Granada Hills area since 1967. Our three children participated in city park leagues.
In 1988, we found out that our daughter was gay. It changed our life in a major way. We felt very isolated not knowing any other family with a gay child.
In 1990, the Tozai Times had the headline: A Minority within a Minority. It reported on Japanese American gays and lesbians in southern California! Because society treated homosexuality as a taboo subject, I was shocked to see actual photos and names of Japanese-American gays! Much later, I found out that the Tak Yamamoto in the article had been an openly gay president of the SFV JACL!
In 1994, Phil Shigekuni, Paul Tsuneishi and Rev. Hidemi Ito of the West Valley United Methodist Church (now Chatsworth West UMC) invited us to speak at their church. They also asked us to speak on a panel at the SFV JA Community Center.Back then, people were not intellectually curious at all about the issue of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. The issue of civil rights for gays was still under the horizon.
In 2001, the Shigekunis and Tsuneishis worked with the JACL to have another panel at the community center. Phil and Paul also asked us to write a story of our unexpected journey for the 2001 Pacific Citizen Holiday issue. We expected to hear from at least one of the 10,000 readers, but received not a single inquiry!Phil and Paul also attended monthly meetings of the Los Angeles API PFLAG, and marched in several West Hollywood gay pride parades.
Then came the election campaigns of 2008. The Shigekunis invited us to join them at the Porter Ranch shopping center to demonstrate against Prop. 8. We were surprised to see the Gohatas and others there also. We were impressed by their dedication to promote civil rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.Proposition 8 did pass. We were asked to be on the SFV JACL board, which has been very supportive of us over the years. We felt that it was important to have a safe space for young Asian LGBTs to work for civil rights.Being on the JACL board has given me a wider perspective of our society. Additionally, our roots in Japan begs us to be aware of its xenophobic culture. I think that a re-examination (by our youth) of the many conflicting factions in the concentration camps (in today’s light) can provide a valuable learning experience for all, young and old. Although out historical viewpoints may differ, each of our many JA perspectives are of value regarding controversial WWII topics such as Unit 731, Nanjing, Korea, firebombing of cities, Hiroshima, etc.
Although the civil rights for minorities has improved much over the past 50 years, I feel that racial prejudice often lies just below the surface of people’s consciousness. Economic hard times has caused people’s frustrations and anger to become very visible. Sadly, the internet is now filled with hundreds of blogs filled with hateful, vile language. Our society and our world deserves better!
In 1988, we found out that our daughter was gay. It changed our life in a major way. We felt very isolated not knowing any other family with a gay child.
In 1990, the Tozai Times had the headline: A Minority within a Minority. It reported on Japanese American gays and lesbians in southern California! Because society treated homosexuality as a taboo subject, I was shocked to see actual photos and names of Japanese-American gays! Much later, I found out that the Tak Yamamoto in the article had been an openly gay president of the SFV JACL!
In 1994, Phil Shigekuni, Paul Tsuneishi and Rev. Hidemi Ito of the West Valley United Methodist Church (now Chatsworth West UMC) invited us to speak at their church. They also asked us to speak on a panel at the SFV JA Community Center.Back then, people were not intellectually curious at all about the issue of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. The issue of civil rights for gays was still under the horizon.
In 2001, the Shigekunis and Tsuneishis worked with the JACL to have another panel at the community center. Phil and Paul also asked us to write a story of our unexpected journey for the 2001 Pacific Citizen Holiday issue. We expected to hear from at least one of the 10,000 readers, but received not a single inquiry!Phil and Paul also attended monthly meetings of the Los Angeles API PFLAG, and marched in several West Hollywood gay pride parades.
Then came the election campaigns of 2008. The Shigekunis invited us to join them at the Porter Ranch shopping center to demonstrate against Prop. 8. We were surprised to see the Gohatas and others there also. We were impressed by their dedication to promote civil rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.Proposition 8 did pass. We were asked to be on the SFV JACL board, which has been very supportive of us over the years. We felt that it was important to have a safe space for young Asian LGBTs to work for civil rights.Being on the JACL board has given me a wider perspective of our society. Additionally, our roots in Japan begs us to be aware of its xenophobic culture. I think that a re-examination (by our youth) of the many conflicting factions in the concentration camps (in today’s light) can provide a valuable learning experience for all, young and old. Although out historical viewpoints may differ, each of our many JA perspectives are of value regarding controversial WWII topics such as Unit 731, Nanjing, Korea, firebombing of cities, Hiroshima, etc.
Although the civil rights for minorities has improved much over the past 50 years, I feel that racial prejudice often lies just below the surface of people’s consciousness. Economic hard times has caused people’s frustrations and anger to become very visible. Sadly, the internet is now filled with hundreds of blogs filled with hateful, vile language. Our society and our world deserves better!
Nancy Gohata
After attending my first JACL event, sometime in the late 1970s, I knew I found my organization. Phil Shigekuni was president and the chapter was offering programs that dealt with Japanese American identity. The late UCLA sociology professor Harry Kitano and the late UCLA historian Yuji Ichioka were speakers at JACL events sharing their expertise. Dr. Kitano had insight into the Japanese American subculture. Yuji Ichioka held a series of classes on the first Japanese immigrants to the United States – the Issei. In 1975, under the leadership of Paul Tsuneishi, Phil Shigekuni, and the late Sue Embrey E.O. 9066 was formed to seek redress and reparations for 120,000 Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. Our chapter played an important role in the redress movement supporting E.O. 9066 with a town hall meeting with speaker, the late Edison Uno, countless fund raisers, and informational meetings mostly led by Paul and Phil. Our chapter has sponsored many cultural forums, attended many civil rights rallies, and brought to the community issues relevant to Japanese Americans, as well as all other minority groups. Even as the younger generations feel completely assimilated into the American culture, I still see a need for a JACL to address issues of civil rights and cultural awareness.
jean-paul deguzman
I joined the San Fernando Valley JACL in 2005 as a student at CSUN after taking a service-learning course focused on archiving the histories of the Valley’s Japanese American community and at the suggestion of Nancy Takayama. Although I am not JA, I was impressed by the chapter’s progressive reputation on matters relating to defending civil liberties, marriage equality, and cross-ethnic organizing. I also support the JACL because of the national office’s advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform (such as the DREAM Act) and fighting against anti-immigrant legislation in Arizona and beyond.