Judy Ann Petty's initials are on her purse and her checkbook. The state wants them off her license plate because the letters spell an ethnic slur.
For 11 years, Petty's license plate has read "RAPNJAP," combining her initials with those of her husband, Robin Arnett Petty."In 1986, we just thought it was a fun thing to do. Little did I know that it would come to this," Petty said. "It's not about political correctness. It's about our right to display our personalized plate on our car."
An administrative judge heard testimony Tuesday on a complaint filed by attorney Harvey Hori-ka-wa, whose client, a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, saw the plate.
"To me, if the essence of their plate is to display their initials, then I would think it would be sufficient to go with `JP and RP,"' Horikawa said. "I can't help but think that maybe what makes the plate so cute and so attractive is the play on the words."
Petty's initials spell the "jap," which "brings bitter memories of the Japanese American internment experience and . . . for our community is equivalent to the n-word for African Americans," said Albert Muratsuchi, regional director of the Japanese American Citizens League.
The DMV suggested the alternatives "RPNJP" and "RPANDJP," but the Pettys refused either one.
"It's no longer personalized," Petty said. "The government is telling me what to put on my plate."
Judge Jerry Mitchell will make a recommendation within 30 days to Sally Reed, director of the Department of Motor Vehicles, who will decide whether the Pettys must give up their plate.
The Pettys said they found 54 other plates that contained the term "JAP," prompting the DMV to begin revoking all plates with the term, said DMV spokesman William Madison.