From: IYI4DTN@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU (Gann Matsuda)
Subject: Future of the Jpn. Amer. Community Conference
Date: 20 Aug 92 03:01:31 PDT

August 18, 1992                                       Contact: Ken Wada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    (213) 626-4471


FUTURE OF THE NIKKEI COMMUNITY CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER

The future of the Japanese American community is the focus for a
conference scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 1992 at the Biltmore
Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.  This conference is the culmination of a
series of programs commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the
signing of  Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced
relocation and imprisonment of more than 120,000 Americans of Japanese
ancestry during World War II, and is sponsored by the Los Angeles
Community Coalition to Commemorate the 50 Year Remembrance: Japanese
American Internment.  Members of the coalition include the National
Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR), Japanese American Citizens
League, UCLA Asian American Studies Center, Manzanar Committee, UCLA
Nikkei Student Union and the Nikkei Students Association/CSUN, among
others.

The conference, entitled "Chikara: Seize the Power," will bring
together Japanese Americans of all ages and backgrounds for the purpose
of examining the present condition of our community as well as charting
its future direction.  Workshops will deal with topics such as
Political Empowerment, Interracial Relationships, Labor Issues,
Education, Media Coverage and Images, Japanese American Art, the Glass
Ceiling, Nikkei Women, U.S./Japan Relations, Gay and Lesbian Nikkei,
and the role of Japanese Americans in diverse communities.  In addition
to workshops, general session topics will include Japanese American
Identity and the Generation Gap.

Speakers for the workshops and general sessions include Warren
Furutani, Los Angeles Board of Education, Kathy Imahara, Asian Pacific
American Legal Center, Dr. Nan Senzaki, UCLA Student Psychological
Services, Ronald Wakabayashi, Los Angeles City Human Relations
Commission, Don Nakanishi, Ph.D, UCLA Asian American Studies Center,
Dick Osumi, Japanese American Bar Association, Dr. Alan Nagamoto, UCLA
Student Psychological Services, Alan Nishio, NCRR, and many more.

One special workshop will deal specifically with Youth Issues.
Recognizing that the youth are the future of the Japanese American
community, these issues will be examined in a two-part workshop dealing
with topics such as identity, culture, history and community
involvement.  Creative and entertaining means will be employed to
present ideas and topics with the goal of defining an identity of
Japanese American youth and building cultural pride.  In addition,
tours of various Los Angeles area colleges and universities will be
offered on Friday, October 9 for college-bound Japanese Americans.

As the culmination of the commemorative events, this conference will
provide a necessary forum for Japanese Americans of all generations to
determine the priorities for the community as it enters the
Twenty-First Century. "With the theme, 'Seize the Future,' this
conference will provide a unique opportunity to bring together members
of the community to discuss issues and share their perspectives on the
future for Japanese America in an increasingly complex and culturally
diverse society," stated Alan Nishio, conference organizer and member
of NCRR.  "With a new generation of leadership emerging in our
community, this conference will be a time to look forward in charting
an agenda for the future."

Although planning for the conference is well underway, organizers are
looking to the community for financial support to help defray expenses.
"For the Day of Remembrance last February and for the Civil Rights
Conference in March, our community really came through with donations.
Without them, we would not have been able to sponsor any of our
activities," said Ken Wada, Coordinator for the 50 Year Remembrance
activities.  "In many ways, this conference is an investment in our
future, and we're hoping that the community will support us once again.
This event promises to be a very important milestone for our
community."

Early registration fees for this conference (which covers the cost of
meals only) are $30.00.  Students and seniors (60 years and up) may
register for $20.00.  After September 30, registration fees will be
$40.00, $30.00 for students and seniors.  Anyone wishing to help with
the conference planning, or for further information, contact Ken Wada
at (213) 626-4471. Donations (checks payable to "50 Year Remembrance")
or correspondence can be sent to: 50 Year Remembrance, 244 S. San Pedro
St., #3, #507, Los Angeles, California, 90012.

                              -30-

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I can also answer questions about this conference.  I'm on the planning
committee, and I'll be responsible for all of our press releases,
including this one!... :-)

Gann Matsuda
Coordinator
50th Anniversary of Japanese American Internment Project
UCLA Asian American Studies Center
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american