<Begin Segment 29>

AI: Now, in this period of the (Model City Program) work and the funding was coming down from the federal government for model cities and (provided) time (to develop) this new kind of residential program...

TI: Yeah.

AI: ...this was all in the 1960s...

TI: Yeah.

AI: ...in that decade. And backing up just a little bit, through the years that you had, your early years at Atlantic Street (Center) and the '50s and up into the '60s, this is also the time period of the Civil Rights movement developing.

TI: At the end, yeah.

AI: Can you tell me a little bit, did that, how did that affect you, you personally and your work?

TI: Well, I participated in things like the picketing at Sea-Tac Airport.

AI: Now, tell me about that. What was this about?

TI: Well, there was a group of Asians and blacks that were trying to get more job opportunities. They found the construction at the airport excluded minorities. So after many sessions, plan was to picket Sea-Tac Airport. So (we made a) big, 1 x 1 piece of wood with signs on it. (Some) young (white) kids that were there for trouble. In other words, they only carried the stick (without the sign), which was very intimidating. So those who didn't agree to take the sign -- me and (another) African American person, threw them all down the ramp. It's a wonder they didn't clobber us with that stick. But we just wanted to have it under more control. I saw police officers, small town officers who (seemed uncomfortable seeing) minorities. And as I walked the picket line and looked at the faces underneath the (plastic) guard, I just felt they were uneasy, they were scared. I wanted to see that we were orderly in this picketing. I only stayed there half a day.

AI: Well, how, now, what drew you into this situation in the first place? Was it through some of your church-related work?

TI: No, no, no. It was fellow community people. I thought it was appropriate to open up, opportunities and employment. So I was doing things at that time, certainly not social work. But confrontation like that, seemed very appropriate that we be involved, that I be involved. And during that time, Elmer Dixon, who was a founding head of Black Panther Party in Seattle. And at the time, I just didn't recognize he was a high school student. Well, anyway, a few years later, after graduating from Garfield, Elmer was at a workshop that I attended. He said, "Ike, can you let the Black Panther's program have their breakfast program at the center?" And it was September. And I said, "Let me, give me a week, I gotta think this out." And it was during the United Way Campaign. Here I strong-arm our staff, saying, "We're a United Way-funded agency. We all give, period." Elmer didn't (have financial resources and access to the Methodist Church to get money), I could write a letter and Methodist Church would give me money. I had a way to get my resources. Elmer didn't. He had to strong-arm Safeway stores to give "donated food."

AI: For the breakfast program?

TI: Yeah. Yeah. So I said, "If I was God, looking at Ike and looking at Elmer, there really (was no real) difference. We're using what talent we had to get what we need to do, hopefully some good work." So it occurred to me that we were both trying to do the best thing possible, but using different means, and I had no right to say "no" to Elmer. So I told the board and staff. They supported (welcoming the Black Panther Breakfast Program).

AI: They did?

TI: Oh, yeah.

AI: Well, now, I'm, this is just secondhand for me, but my understanding was that Black Panthers had a very radical image...

TI: Yeah.

AI: ...at that time, and that some people were truly frightened of them...

TI: Yeah. Oh, yeah.

AI: ...as a possibly violent organization.

TI: Yeah. They had, their house had wood slots for shooting. It was rough (for them). I felt that they were trying to help the kids have food. Their methodology was different than mine, but I was blessed in being able to go to school, and have other contacts. So that's why I couldn't rationalize myself out of it. I felt we were equals, in trying to help (these children who needed a substantial breakfast).

AI: And that's what you discussed with your staff and board?

TI: Yeah. Yeah. They backed me up. And so I told Elmer, "It's up to you what you do." And I always wondered why he didn't get me out. Because empowerment was the issue. Here was a Asian managing a black program. By that time, (the term "Black" was being used). I felt uncomfortable myself, because I had a radical self-empowerment, belief, and it was a blatant and negative practice that I was doing as an Asian American (manager). Many years later that I talked with Elmer. I said, "How come you didn't raise Cain (to) get me out?" And he says, no, he knew I was trying to do good for the community. I wasn't about to mess people up. So there was a trust relationship, unspoken, with the Black Panthers and him. [Narr. note: The FBI regularly visited the center, checking on the Black Panther Activities. I consistently told him to relax. The Panthers were not really that bad.]

One (Black Panther) couple were very good with the kids, and so a staff recommended, "Hey, let's hire these two in our group home project. They'd be good." So we did. And then after first year of funding, Model City (Program) had a heck of a time through the city to buy these two group homes. So Walt Huntley, the director of Model City (Program), says, "Ike, although you wanted one group home, can you handle two right now because money's available, we got to use it." So I said, "Okay." Well, they couldn't purchase a home. Two reporters from the Times got a hold of that and blasted the center -- misusing federal dollars, not serving any kids, buying frozen meat in Yakima. Sounded (suspicious but the price of the meats was low), it was a good price at the time. But anyway, the twelve beds, cost (was too) exorbitant. (They could not accept the fact that in a year's time, twenty-four boys would get our service). (With the continual negative news articles), the staff discussed this, and they felt there's no way you could fight it. So I told Walt Huntley, "Can you promise within a month we will buy those two homes?" He (said), "No, we can't." Says, "Well, then," the staff said, "We quit. Let's terminate. It's hurting your agency and you, Ike. And we'd rather quit." And these are (black) college students (who desperately needed funds to continue their education at the University).

AI: Now, I'm sorry. Why did they, why were they wanting to quit?

TI: Because the tirade in the newspaper kept coming, (requesting) congressional investigation. You name it, these (two) newspaper reporters were really working on it. [Narr. note: The reporters told me that they were attacking the city and not the center.]

AI: And what were these two staff people afraid of? What did they think might happen?

TI: What, what do you mean, "two staff"?

AI: The two, the staff people that wanted to quit.

TI: Oh, all of the staff. Six staff.

AI: Oh, all of them.

TI: Yeah. And these were African American students at the university, working part-time and going to school full-time. And they needed the money. In 1970, Boeing had cut staff by half. So jobs were even tighter, although they didn't have that much opportunity at Boeing at the time. They were that gracious toward me and to the agency. So I said, they wanted to quit right now, and I said, "No. You get one month severance pay." Then the Black Panther couple came up to me separately and said, "Ike, I think we're going to create some disturbance. If the reporters ever heard that we're paid staff on federal dollars, Atlantic Street Center, (and) you (would) be in hot water." Panthers were that thoughtful for my well-being. So I said, "I cannot accept that. You've been so thoughtful of me. I cannot accept your resignation. You get your one month pay and do what you need to do." And fortunately for me, I guess the newspaper didn't pick up the activity the following day. But it was (one of) the most thoughtful experience I have ever had, Black Panthers. (This) completes an unusual experience in the development of the agency.

<End Segment 29> - Copyright © 2000 Densho. All Rights Reserved.