JACL Featured Articles

Japanese American Graduation Banquet

Congratulations to the class of 2011. The Japanese American Graduation Banquet was held on the first of May with a dinner and celebration at the Multnomah Athletic Club. All graduating high school students of Japanese heritage as well as family and community members are invited to this annual event.

When Your World Turns Upside Down

On Friday, March 11, 2011, the world for thousands in Japan turned upside-down.

I know many of you have read this article I’ve included. I felt it was worth printing, in hopes that we would learn from our neighbors to the East.

The following blog was written by a woman in Sendai, Japan. She eloquently speaks of the love that emerged from a challenging condition:

A Glimpse of Hope

The Portland JACL would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who have been affected by the recent disaster in Japan.

On Friday March 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm JST a massive 9.0 magnitude megathrust earthquake lasting over six minutes occurred 81 miles off of the east coast of Japan near Sendai.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2011

What a fantastic day we had on Sunday February 20th to remember our past and embrace other communities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.

This was one of the largest gatherings for Day of Remembrance for more than ten years with over 350 people in attendance.

George Takei, Day of Remembrance and…

I have some exciting news! George Takei of “Star Trek” fame has graciously agreed to be on our panel for our Day of Remembrance, “Fighting for Civil Rights: The Japanese-American and LGBT Experience.

Sen. Wyden: Congressional Medal for Vets

Senator Wyden presents a replica of Public Law 111-254 to Art Iwasaki. Senator Ron Wyden has begun presenting replicas of the Public Law to local veterans that authorizes the award of the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to 100th Battalion, the 442nd Combat Regiment and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). On December ... Read More

Stories of Shared Struggles

The Japanese-American experience serves as a lesson and reminder for all that we cannot and must not take our civil liberties for granted. With our community’s unique history, I believe we have a responsibility to educate the public. Your Portland JACL Board does this by vigilantly researching and taking on issues that could threaten our civil rights—Portland’s potential participation in the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is a good example. A letter from the Board to The Oregonian regarding the JTTF is included in this newsletter.

A Bus Tour Through History

Diane Hess, Education Director of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, had one seat left and invited me along to “Fasten Your Seat Belts…It’s Been a Bumpy Ride. A Tour of Portland’s Hidden Discriminatory History”. Being a relative newcomer to Portland (15 years) I knew just a little about Oregon’s sad history and in recent years learned more about the Japanese American internment experience. The bus tour added and enhanced my understanding. It may be one thing to read about history but to actually see where it happened and hear the stories truly makes the history real.

Congressional Gold Medal is a Reality!

On October 5, 2010, President Obama signed a bill authorizing the award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service, to honor the predominantly Nisei units for their service during World War II. Floyd Mori, the executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, was among the small group who joined President Obama for the intimate signing.

Check Out the New Website

It’s been another busy summer for Portland JACL and our community but I’m excited about October. This is a big month for Portland JACL because we are launching our new website and hopefully improving the way we communicate. Last month we introduced the updated newsletter and hopefully you found it to be just as informative as ever and easier to read. The newsletter has long been the cornerstone of news for community issues and events and our new editor Michael Yamamoto is committed to uphold that tradition. In an all out effort to update and improve our communications, we have also updated our website as the next step and new direction for the Portland JACL community.