Japanese Baseball Pioneer Deserves Recognition
Dear Editor: I very much enjoyed your colorful and informative article, “Getting Into Full Swing” (April 5). I’ve swiped copies from my local distributor (with his blessing) to distribute to the parents of my son’s baseball team.
If I am not mistaken, the first “imported Asian player to play baseball in the United States” was one Masanori Murakami (whom I was privileged to see pitch for our very own Giants at “the Stick” several cycles ago).
To the best of my knowledge, after the 1965 season, Murakami returned to Japan “under pressure” exerted by his countrymen who considered him something of a defector for having gone West. For better and worse, I guess money speaks more loudly these days. His stats look impressive and would seem to bear the story out. I’m pretty certain he is currently a baseball play-by-play man in Japan. Might make an interesting follow-up story.
Don Buckter
via e-mail
OCA on Release of American Crewmen, and The Morning Show
Editor’s Note: The following was a statement distributed by the Organization of Chinese Americans via mass e-mail. AsianWeek ƒould like to note another example of offensive humor in the media: Following the U.S. apology to China, Bill Maher, host of ABC’s Politically Incorrect6 said “Next, we’ll be doing their [China’s] laundry.”
Dear Editor: The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) is delighted that China released the 24 American crewmen.
Unfortunately, for Chinese Americans the problem does not end with the release of the crewmen. Despite the fact that we are U.S. citizens and permanent residents, we continue to be beset with false characterizations and, when circumstances like this incident arise, our loyalty and patriotism are questioned.
During the past week:
- A national talk show host allegedly called for all Chinese Americans to be interned, reminiscent of the fate of the 120,000 Japanese Americans interned during World War II.
- A host at Fox News & Friends declared support for the firing of “Chinese national laboratory employees” in retaliation for China’s insistence on an apology.
- An April 16, 2001 Business Week article says that a Gallup survey found that more than 80 percent of Americans believe that China is “dangerous.”
- In Springfield, Ill., a local radio talk show host said that people should boycott all Chinese restaurants and that all Chinese should be sent home to “their country.” Another commentator suggested a camp for Chinese. This comment was followed by the phoning of people with Chinese last names and harassing them.
- On April 6, the San Francisco-based radio program The Morning Show called a restaurant in China and, as characterized by one listener, “laughed at and taunted” the caller who could not speak English. This behavior is offensive and ignorant to the Chinese American community. The show has shown insensitivity to fueling the negative climate since the American reconnaissance plane was forced to land on Hainan Island, China. Xenophobic climates lead to persecution, hate crimes and murder.
We are deeply concerned about the potential negative repercussions this heated rhetoric will have on Chinese Americans and Asian Pacific Americans.
Like the 1996 campaign finance controversy and last year’s Wen Ho Lee case, when controversial incidents occur involving the U.S. and China, Chinese Americans and Asian Pacific Americans often become the victims of racial profiling and scapegoating.
As a national educational and civil rights advocacy group, OCA’s purpose is to fight against these misperceptions and promote Chinese Americans and Asian Pacific Americans as equal partners in America and as loyal Americans.
The Organization of Chinese Americans
via e-mail
Neck and Neck
Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent via mass e-mail.
Dear Editor: Last week’s mayoral primary vote in Los Angeles saw left-liberal ex-Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa ride his powerful Latino-Labor coalition to a surprisingly strong first-place showing over Los Angeles City Attorney James Hahn, an establishment liberal and the longtime front-runner.
Although Villaraigosa still faces an uphill battle in the run-off — nearly 40 percent of the vote went to candidates ideologically closer to his more moderate opponent Hahn — he does stand a realistic chance of becoming Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in modern times, a remarkable achievement in a city where Latinos may account for half the population, but just 20 percent of voters.
If this occurs, the name Villaraigosa would be instantly transformed from a relatively obscure child of California’s term-limited legislature into that of a nationally recognized individual, perhaps the most important Latino elected official in American political history.
Ron Unz
English for the Children
via e-mail
Correction
The photograph on the cover of AsianWeek’s April 12 issue was credited incorrectly in our printed edition. The photo was taken by Maurice Ramirez. AsianWeek apologizes to Maurice, and thanks him for his excellent and eye-catching work.
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