Response to Cashin' In Panelist Hoenig's Apology for Japanese American Incarceration Comments
October 3, 2014
On September 22, 2014, Fox News aired an episode of Cashin' In that included a segment on profiling, during which guest panelist Jonathan Hoenig stated, "The last war this country won, we put Japanese-Americans in internment camps, we dropped nuclear bombs on residential city centers. So, yes, profiling would be at least a good start."
Several Asian American Pacific Islander groups, including the Japanese American Citizens League, responded with statements demanding an apology from Hoenig and Fox News.
On Saturday, September 27, Hoenig appeared again on Cashin' In to issue an apology for his earlier comments, though he believed they were misinterpreted. He elaborated, "My point was to illustrate that profiling potential threats based on ideology could be a needed safeguard, and in the context of wartime, I believe being able to identify an enemy's ideology, and be on the alert for it, is the first step to actually achieving peace."
Priscilla Ouchida, Executive Director of the JACL, responded that Hoenig's apology "did not address the root issue which is that there was not a single finding of wrongdoing or any arrest by a Japanese American during World War II, and detention without a finding of wrongdoing or a charge of a crime is just as wrong today as it was then.
The National Council of Asian Pacific Islanders (NCAPA) also found Hoenig's apology "not good enough," adding, "[his] continued support for the use of religious profiling...reinforces negative perceptions about Muslim Americans."
Jasjit Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), agreed, adding, "By sending the message that groups of Americans, due to their race, religion, national origin, or other background are inherently suspicious, Fox News is fostering an environment of fear, distrust, and ultimately hate."
APAMC Promotes Shows Featuring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
September 24, 2014
The Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) is excited to highlight television shows in the upcoming 2014-2015 season that prominently feature Asian American and Pacific Islander talent. Premiering next week are the third season of The Mindy Project on FOX, Stalker starring Maggie Q on CBS, and Selfie starring John Cho on ABC. And stay tuned later in the season for ABC's mid-season family sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, which centers around a Chinese American family, and whose trailer made a big splash at the 2014 JACL Convention!
For APAMC's full press release, and for clips and social media related to these shows, click here.
Statement in Response to Fox News Discussion on Profiling
September 23, 2014
The notion that America's successful prosecution of World War II was attributable to Japanese American incarceration was offered in a discussion on Fox News' Cashin' In moderated by Eric Bolling. The discussion focused on whether there is a need to profile Muslims.
One guest, Jonathan Hoenig said, "We should have been profiling on September 12, 2001. Let's take a trip down memory lane here. The last war this country won, we put Japanese Americans in internment camps; we dropped nuclear bombs on residential city centers. So, yes, profiling would be at least a good start. It's not on skin color, however, it's on ideology - Muslim, Islamist, jihadist..."
The JACL rejects the absurd extreme of profiling that would lead to mass incarceration as suggested by Hoenig's statement. The policy adopted by the Bush Administration to avoid the use of profiling as anathema to our civil liberties values continues today. It is a policy that must be maintained despite temptations to give in to the fear and hysteria that some would create about Muslims in America.
During World War II, our country was led to believe that Japanese Americans were to be feared and thereby posed a security risk. This belief led to the dire consequences of establishing and operating American concentration camps based on the racial profiling of a group of people. Our system of government was established with important guiding principles that do not allow for the selective treatment of individual groups of Americans. It is a lesson we learned in the aftermath of World War II that must be repeated whenever the suggestion of disparate treatment of vulnerable groups arise.
JACL submitted a letter to Fox Chairman Roger Ailes in response to this incident. The letter may be viewed here.
Annual Meetings with ABC and CBS Filled with Good News for AAPIs
September 16, 2014
Los Angeles, CA - ABC and CBS rolled out their fall programming last week in meetings with JACL Executive Director Priscilla Ouchida and Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chairs of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC). The Coalition was founded in 1999 as part of a national multi-ethnic coalition to increase diversity both in front of and behind the camera.
Paul Lee, President of ABC Entertainment Group, announced that the network's new programming will include "Fresh Off the Boat," a sit-com based on Eddie Huang's memoir and featuring an Asian American family. The show is the first Asian American prime-time series in 20 years since Margaret Cho's "All American Girl." A preview of the show was shown at the San Jose National JACL Convention, and was well-received. Other programs include "Selfie" starring John Cho in a comedy roughly based on "My Fair Lady." Setting a historic precedent, ABC is rolling out a diverse schedule that includes "Black-ish,"an African-American sitcom, and "Christela," a Latina comedy.
Nina Tassler, Chairman of CBS Entertainment, unveiled "Stalker," an intense crime drama starring Maggie Q. Stalker will be the second CBS series to start an Asian American female ("Elementary" stars Lucy Liu). A clip from "Stalker" was also shared at the 2014 National JACL Convention. CBS' 2014-15 season will showcase 15 Asian American Pacific Islander regulars, the most of the four major networks. Writers for "Hawaii Five-O," which was renewed for the season, will be recognized at this year's JACL Salute to Champions Gala for the Honouliuli episode which aired in December 2013.
"Now that networks are making a commitment to Asian American programming, it is important the community support the shows through viewership," said Ouchida. "This is a breakthrough season for Asian Americans which are the fastest growing population in the United States."
JACL Submits Comments to Establish a Process for Native Hawaiian Recognition
August 25, 2014
The Japanese American Citizens League submitted comments in support of a proposed rule that will pave the way for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians. The proposed rule will clarify the legal status of Native Hawaiians by establishing a process by which Native Hawaiians would have a government-to-government status similar to what exists for over 560 American Indian and Alaska Native governments.
The comments extend JACL's historical support of Native Hawaiian rights. In 1984, the JACL adopted a resolution in support of sovereignty for the indigenous people of Hawaii; in 1986, the JACL reaffirmed its support of Hawaii's indigenous people; and in 1992, the JACL affirmed its support for the restoration of human, civil property and sovereign rights of Native Hawaiians. The JACL also supported federal recognition contained in the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act authored by Senator Daniel Akaka.
The JACL comments, on view here, were drafted with the counsel of the Honolulu Chapter.
JACL Addresses Net Neutrality Statement in Webinar
August 19, 2014
Miss last night's webinar, featuring Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, Vice President and Chief Research and Policy Officer of the Minority Media & Telecom Council? View Dr. Turner-Lee's PowerPoint, or watch the recording of the webinar itself here for a better understanding of JACL's stance towards net neutrality, Title II, and Section 706:
JACL Joins Other AAPI Organizations on Amicus Brief for Bahlul v. United States
August 18, 2014
Washington, D.C. - JACL joined an amicus brief in the case of Bahlul v. United States, as one of several supporting Asian American/Pacific Islander organizations. The brief, which will be submitted in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, makes a doctrinal and historical argument that the Military Commissions Act used to prosecute Guantanamo detainees violates equal protection because it creates a separate and inferior system of criminal justice exclusively reserved for non-citizens. It draws historical parallels to the discriminatory policies that led to the internment of Japanese Americans and other shameful episodes in American history.
JACL joined a nearly-identical amicus brief as the lead amicus two years ago in Hamdan v. United States (Hamdan II). The court did not reach the equal protection issue in that case because it decided the case on other grounds, but the D.C. Circuit has now indicated it will reach that issue in the Bahlul case. The D.C. Circuit issued an en banc opinion on July 14, affirming Bahlul's conspiracy conviction against an ex post facto challenge, but remanding the remaining issues - including the equal protection challenge - to the original panel.
JACL Statement on HBO Series, "Jonah from Tonga"
August 1, 2014
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is disturbed by HBO's decision to air a new Australian "mockumentary" comedy series, "Jonah from Tonga." In the series, a white Australian actor, Chris Lilley, performs in brown makeup and a wig to depict Jonah, a young Tongan teen living in Australia. Jonah and his Tongan peers are portrayed as disrespectful, aggressive, and delinquent. Numerous scenes in the series mock or misrepresent Tongan culture and customs.
Although styled as a comedy, there is nothing clever or funny about the harmful and offensive stereotypes perpetuated by "Jonah from Tonga." Too often, bigotry and racism are employed in the pursuit of humor; when done correctly, satire can be a powerful weapon for revealing and skewering the irrationality and absurdity of the racist ideas. Yet the juvenile and crude characterizations in "Jonah from Tonga" only reveal Lilley's deep ignorance and disrespect for the Tongan people.
Whether the content of this series is acceptable elsewhere, it is an affront to the sensibilities of American audiences who understand that honoring diversity implies a healthy respect for the dignity of all cultures. The JACL is disturbed that HBO would condone such a racist and offensive show and urges HBO to pull "Jonah from Tonga" from its lineup.
JACL Objects to Usage of Yellowface and Stereotypes in Seattle Production of The Mikado
July 16, 2014
Washington, D.C. - As the oldest and the largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) objects to the use of yellowface and stereotypes in the comic opera The Mikado and condemns the decision to stage a play with such offensive rhetoric to all Asian Americans.
The Mikado, written by Gilbert & Sullivan, is currently playing at The Bagley Wright Theatre in Seattle, WA. Set in Japan, the play is being performed by an amateur troupe of 40 White actors (including two Latinos).
The term yellowface describes an inappropriate portrayal of an Asian character, similar to the practice of blackface. To be more specific, a combination of stereotypical makeup, dress, customs, and behaviors are used that inaccurately and offensively portray Asians.
Although The Mikado was written in the 19th century as a satire poking fun at the British fascination with Japan, the racist portrayal of Japanese people in this play is extremely disrespectful and misleading to those who are not familiar with Japanese culture. As such, the staging of this play furthers those demeaning stereotypes of Asian Americans in this day and age.
There is nothing timely or clever about the use of these outdated stereotypes and The Mikado should stop playing immediately.
JACL Supports Senate Hearing on Voting Rights Amendment Act
June 25, 2014
Washington, D.C. - The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) joined other civil rights organizations yesterday on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to support the passage of the Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA). Staff from JACL National attended a crowded Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and the following rally outside the Capitol.
JACL submitted a
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