Reflections from the 2006 JACL National Convention

The 2006 JACL National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona blazed a path of leadership for a new generation. As the Midwest District Council’s youth representative and a proud member of the Hoosier Chapter, I had the honor of attending JACL’s 39th Biennial Convention. In this article, I will share my personal reflections and experiences from the recent National Convention.

Although Phoenix is notorious for its scorching climate, several hot topics came to light. The business meetings were productive and educational, as delegates articulated their thoughts on issues, such as immigration policies, the Voting Rights Act, and APIA healthcare. While the National Council voted in favor of giving cost of living adjustments to our hardworking staff, the proposal for an annual national convention was postponed until 2008.

In addition to formal business meetings, the National Convention provided many opportunities for attendees to participate in social activities, workshops, and fundraisers. The Min Yasui Oratorical Competition was a personal highlight! Five talented youth members gave dynamic speeches on the topic of Japanese American identity. It was inspirational to see young members of JACL take a stand and present their arguments in the public sphere. Other youth-oriented activities throughout the week included a special luncheon, a silent auction fundraiser, and a youth workshop.

The National Convention offered many other fun activities, including country line dancing, dining (so much food--I think I gained about 8 pounds last week!), and reunions with old friends. Individuals could even venture to the Wild Horse Pass Casino to flirt with Lady Luck. Attending the convention reminded me that the JACL is more than a large organization; it is composed of warm-hearted people and sustained by lifelong friendships. It was great to meet new people and bond with old friends. I was thrilled to reunite with members of the Washington DC Leadership Conference and the National Youth/Student Council. The JACL fosters a close community of hardworking individuals, and the National Convention encourages members to catch up with old friends and ignite new relationships.

A final highlight from the National Convention was the “Camp Dance.” Written by Soji Kashiwagi, this musical took audience members on a journey through time. Blending catchy songs from the 1940’s with vignettes of the World War Two internment experience, the “Camp Dance” made audience members laugh and cry. The Camp Dance allowed individuals from nisei, sansei, and yonsei generations to bond and relive the emotional roller coaster of the internment period.

In closing, the 2006 JACL National Convention in Phoenix was a success! Special thanks to Ted Namba and the Arizona Chapter for organizing the week’s festivities. Also, I would like to thank David Suzuki for representing our Hoosier Chapter. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the 2004-2006 National Board and National Youth/Student Council for their dedication and leadership in the JACL

Upcoming JACL Convention!

Phoenix Rising: Leadership for a New Generation

Get excited for the 2006 JACL National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona! Officially held from June 21-24, this amazing conference will feature fun workshops, social events, opportunities to explore Japanese American culture and civil rights issues, an oratorical contest, musical entertainment, and more!

To learn more about the upcoming JACL National Convention, check out the Japanese American Citizens League's website at: www.jacl.org.

FYI: Outrageous Stuff....

Despite many genuine efforts to educate others about the freedom of speech and responsibility, we must continue our commitment and dedication to fight discrimination and hate speech. Unfortunately, ignorance and insensitivity continues to resurface in society. Below is an example that I received via email. To sign an online petition, please check out: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ACU123/petition.html.



From the Asian Communities United Organization on 6/1/06
Dear Friends and Supporters:

Recently, members of our group (Asian Communities United) in the Toledo area reported a couple of appalling incidents on the radio. A DJ identified as "Lucus" on Tower 98.3 FM (a Cumulus Toledo station) has been making prank calls to Asian restaurants in the area with the intention of ridiculing the recipients of the phone calls live on the air. The assumption is that the call recipients speak little or no English and can be easily ridiculed without consequence.

In one incident, on May 22, 2006 around 8:40 pm, the DJ called a restaurant whose workers spoke perfect English. Upon hearing this the two DJs reacted by saying "Who are you? What are you doing there? What's with these white people working at Chinese restaurants? We're not calling Bob Evans!"

In another incident, two months before (date and time unknown), a DJ at the same station, called a Japanese restaurant repeatedly, despite clear indications that the calls were unwelcome. The DJ had a huge laugh at the call recipient's expense, making outrageous remarks such as: "Me love you long time," "Ching Chong Chung," and "Me Speakee no English," among other things.

Please help us get the offending DJ off the air. You can help in two ways. First, write to the station manager and let him know how unacceptable his DJ's behavior is. Next, go online to the URL below and sign our petition: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ACU123/petition.html.