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Yasuhara, Denny

Last Name:	Yasuhara
First Name:	Denny Tetsuki
Dates:	28.10.1926 (Date of Birth) 13.11.2002 (Date of Death)
Biography/History:	Denny Yasuhara was an activist and community leader in the Spokane and eastern Washington Japanese American community. Denny Yasuhara was born October 28, 1926. Denny's mother died when he was a baby; his father struggled to care for four children. Denny was adopted by family friends, and spent his childhood in Bonners Ferry. The family moved to Spokane where Denny later attended Lewis & Clark High School. Denny's father and siblings lived in Seattle; his father was educated, but it was hard for a Japanese national to find employment then. Denny tried to join the military during WWII, but was too young and was turned away and sent back to finish high school. When he was older, (mid 1940s) he served in the United States Army. (see 4372.1 portrait of Denny in uniform from this time period; painted overseas, artist unknown) Denny attended WSU. He was the first Asian man in his fraternity, Kappa Iota Phi; according to his wifeThelma, he was not as interested in fraternity life, as he was interested in challenging stereotypes. At WSU he competed on the wrestling team and graduated with pharmacy credentials. He was only a pharmacist for a short time, as he found it boring. He earned his teaching credentials at Whitworth and Gonzaga and taught for District 81 beginning about 1961 and according to Thelma "found his calling.” He taught at Logan Elementary in Spokane and also Garry Junior High School, preferring to work with students at the junior high school/middle school age. He also coached basketball. He met his wife, Thelma, through teaching; she was also a teacher and a coach and they met at one of her games. Wife Thelma about Denny: “He was not timid and spoke out to unfairness that he saw, even to school principals and to the superintendent. We had an allowance as teachers. He would use his up and ask me for mine. Logan Elementary, where he was teaching, was a lower economic neighborhood; I learned that when students where in need of supplies or even shoes, he would make purchases. When he told me this, I could not refuse.” “He would go to work very early in the morning as his students would would come to school early and he wanted to be there to let them in. He held basketball practice in the mornings for this reason." Denny was politically engaged and a civil rights activist during the course of his life. Denny lobbied congresspersons and initiated a federally funded housing project in Spokane that would serve first generation Japanese Americans (Issei) who had lost so much during WWII and internment. Active in “redress” effort in 1980s, he wrote letters, gave speeches seeking acknowledgement of apology for treatment of Japanese citizens during WWII. (He did not qualify for redress). Denny challenged the state Democratic party on issues of race - when a party official used the term “chink” publicly he demanded that the party acknowledge the comment and apologize. Newspaper articles from that time reference a pending lawsuit.Thelma: “It did not matter to him that this was a derogatory term for Chinese, he saw racism, unfairness and challenged it.” Denny Yasuhara served as president of the Spokane Coalition for Human Rights and was active in Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) – the oldest civil rights organization in the US, est. 1929. He served as Spokane chapter president multiple times and as “governor” for the PNW District (PNW region). He served as national president 1994-1996. As JACL national president, he addressed organizational challenges and established by-laws. When the JACL national convention was held in San Jose, President Bill Clinton was at same hotel. Denny requested that he appear at their convention – many important Asians and Asian Americans were in attendance. Secret Service said no, but an arrangement was made for Denny to meet the president in the basement. (photo included in archival collection) Locally, Denny organized a popular annual JACL picnic called “Undokai” with food, prizes and races; local businesses donated food and housewives participated in a “grocery grab.” He also organized and managed the JACL fundraising booth at Spokane Interstate Fair. For 16 years Thelma and Denny would work 8 hours every day at the fair after a full day of teaching. Thelma - about the JACL booth: “it was really Chinese food, but it was easy to make and people loved it”) Sue Nakagawa: “Denny was a very good writer and he was also a very good speaker” Denny knew Spokane media reporters and producers like Doug Clark and Bob Briley; he publicly acknowledged S/R for their sensitivity in covering racial issues. Denny Yasuhara died in 2002; some additional achievements included: - Man of the Year, NW Asian Weekly - Distinguished Service Award, Emperor of Japan - WSU – 1990 – Alumni Achievement Award
Related Objects:	4372.1 (Painting, Portrait of Denny Yasuhara, 1948) 4372.2 (Medal, Medal and Certificates, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, 1994)