A teen shooting jolts Southern California, and the Issei story

Vol. 46, No. 20, May 16, 1958. 8 pages. View this issue

The fatal shooting of a Sansei teenager, a bystander at a dance where a gang fight broke out, shook Southern California parents and led this eight-page issue. Harry K. Honda’s front-page editorial set the Nisei generation’s discipline against today’s youth and asked what can be done. Henry Mori’s newsletter reported that JACL leaders joined county officials to discuss delinquency among Nisei and Sansei in Los Angeles. Larry S. Tajiri argued that the Issei story should be recorded while the pioneers are still living, through oral histories and a written history.

Also inside: JACL news, including a Sapphire pin for ten years of active service, and national president Dr. Roy Nishikawa and Mas Satow’s trip to Washington for a 442nd memorial service at Arlington. Bill Hosokawa shared a recipe for radish tsukemono, Mike Masaoka previewed Japan’s May 22 election, and a piece looked at Canada’s wartime expulsion of Japanese Canadians.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Slaying of Teenager Jolts Southlanders, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The fatal shooting of a Sansei bystander during a teen gang fight shocked Southern California parents and raised fears about youth delinquency. The editorial contrasts the discipline of the Nisei generation with today’s youth and blames postwar materialism and militarism for their insecurity.
• Expresses Appreciation, by Tats Kushida, page 1. Tats Kushida, past regional director, thanks the California Assembly for its resolution honoring JACL’s decade of service. He credits Assemblyman Edward E. Elliott and the State Legislature for the recognition.
• Random Thoughts and First Harvest, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa muses on Nisei political influence, recommends an article on Perry’s opening of Japan, and shares a recipe for quick radish tsukemono. He also comments on a children’s handbook illustration and the color line in the Deep South.
• Trade Fair and Hi Co Conference Thank-You Letters, by Davis H. Muth; Carole Oishi, page 2. Letters from the organizers of the Seattle International Trade Fair and the 1958 Hi Co Conference thank the Pacific Citizen for its news coverage. Both praise the paper’s help in boosting attendance.
• Issei Story Should Be Told, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Tajiri argues that the contributions of the Issei must be recorded before the pioneers pass away, proposing oral histories and a written history. He recounts the Issei’s struggles against exclusion and their contributions to agriculture and industry.
• Delegates Show Concern in National Affairs, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column reviews the Pacific Southwest District Council meeting and previews upcoming district council gatherings and the national president’s eastern trip. It also reports chapter news and record membership gains.
• Shigeta Decides to Retire, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Harry K. Shigeta, a nationally known Issei photographer, is retiring to the west coast after a long career in Chicago. The profile recounts how discrimination shaped his career decisions.
• Newsletter: JACL Aids in Curbing Delinquency, by Henry Mori, page 7. JACL leaders joined county officials in meetings about rising juvenile delinquency among Nisei and Sansei in Los Angeles. Participants discussed adult leadership and community programs to keep youths out of gangs.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka previews Japan’s May 22 national election, in which the pro-U.S. Liberal-Democrats are expected to retain power. He explains the key issues, including relations with the United States and recognition of Red China.

Military & Veterans

• Active JACLers Have Opportunity to Receive Sapphire Pin for Service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s National Recognitions Committee announced that members with ten years of active service may be nominated for the Sapphire-studded pin to be presented at the national convention in Salt Lake City. The article outlines the nomination procedures and addresses to which nominations must be sent.
• Watsonville VFW Holds Joint Installation of Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nisei VFW Memorial Post 9440 and its auxiliary held a joint installation ceremony at Watsonville Veterans Memorial Hall. The article lists the newly installed officers and the officiating state commander.
• Nisei Bandmen Invited to Brussels Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The University of California marching band, which includes three Nisei students, was invited by the State Department to represent the United States at the Brussels World’s Fair. The band is raising funds for the trip.

JACL

• Nishikawa, Satow to Join in Arlington Memorial Service, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL president Dr. Roy Nishikawa and national director Mas Satow will visit Washington, D.C., for meetings, a chapter dinner, and an Arlington Cemetery memorial service honoring the 442nd. The itinerary also includes the Eastern District Council meeting in Washington.

Community

• Sociology Professor Keynote Speaker at MDC Convention, by M. Tashima, page 1. Dr. Richard Schermerhorn of Western Reserve University will deliver the keynote address at the JACL Midwest District Council convention in Cleveland. Workshop topics and leaders for the convention discussions are also outlined.
• Advice on How to Win Nisei Girls’ Affection Told, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Tokyo emigration periodical advised young Japanese men on how to win Nisei girls, warning that American women expect modesty, household help, and restraint when drinking. The humorous piece reflects the magazine’s stated advice to prospective emigrants.
• Bits & Bites, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Short notes report William Saroyan’s visit to Honolulu, Miiko Taka’s letter about Roman shopping hours, and Ted Fujii passing the California CPA exam. The items highlight Nisei and Japanese American news.
• New York Chapter Holds Election Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The New York JACL chapter nominated candidates for its Board of Directors and planned an installation dinner with Mike Masaoka as speaker. George Kyotow also presented color films taken in Japan.
• Maryknoll Hospital Fund Holds Kick-off Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A $15-a-plate dinner in Santa Monica launched the fund drive for a new $1 million Maryknoll Hospital and Nurses Home. Dr. J. Arthur Myers was the principal speaker.
• San Francisco JACL Tops 1000 Mark for Third Straight Year, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The San Francisco JACL chapter reached 1,030 members for 1958, and Berkeley leads national chapters in membership. National membership figures are compared with the previous year.
• Snake River JACL Selects Boys State Representative, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Snake River JACL chose Edward Takashi to represent it at Beaver Boys State at Oregon State College. The article describes his school activities and leadership roles.
• Seeing Spring Across U.S.A. Continued, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Brief notices cover community news from several chapters, including Mother’s Day and installation events. Items are kept short.
• Philadelphia Inquirer Story on Seabrook Farms Japanese Community, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A reporter from a Philadelphia newspaper visited the Seabrook Farms JACL chow mein dinner and learned about the Japanese American community there since 1943. The story describes the community’s food, history, and projects.
• Mother’s Day Tea Staged by Fremont Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fremont JACL chapter held its annual Mother’s Day tea at Warm Springs Grammar School. The event was organized by Jane Yamauchi and a planning committee.
• Seeing Spring Across U.S.A., by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda describes a spring motor trip east on Highway 66, noting the unusually green landscape and hospitable stops. He also reflects on the value of the Midwest JACL office.

Incarceration & Redress

• Canada Evacuation During War Now Under Question, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Canadian officials and editorialists are debating a Bill of Rights in light of the wartime expulsion of Japanese Canadians from British Columbia. Commentators cite the evacuation as an example of government abuse of individual rights.

Sports

• Nisei Girls Compete in National Women’s Bowling Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Judy Seki and Chiyo Tashima finished eighth in the national women’s doubles bowling championship in Redondo Beach. The article also notes other Nisei bowlers who competed.

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