Vol. 51, No. 3, July 15, 1960. 8 pages. View this issue
Civil rights and the JACL’s biennial convention in Sacramento shaped this eight-page issue. JACL News Service reported that a coalition of 33 national organizations, the JACL among them, submitted a civil rights platform to presidential candidates. Fred Takata compared the Sacramento convention to the political conventions then under way, and Frank Chuman was nominated for national president. Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter looked ahead to the Democratic and Republican conventions, and Bill Hosokawa wrote from Tokyo about efforts to keep traditional culture alive.
Readers will also find reactions to the protests in Japan, with letters from Allan Beekman, Joe Oyama and Taro Kawakami. Page 4 lists the Nisei of the Biennium citations, led by Daniel K. Inouye, and page 5 carries Dawn Sakada’s winning essay on young Japanese Americans and the JACL. Eight candidates for the Nisei Week queen title are introduced on page 1.
What’s in this issue
National
- JACL Endorses Strong Civil Rights Plank, by JACL News Service, page 1. A coalition of 33 national civil rights, labor and civic organizations, including the JACL, submitted a comprehensive civil rights platform to presidential candidates and convention delegates. The program calls for federal action on school desegregation, housing, employment, and voting rights.
JACL
- Frank Chuman Nominated at Sacramento Convention, by Fred Takata, page 1. The editorial compares the JACL biennial convention in Sacramento to national political conventions, noting similar functions of nominating officers, setting policy, and inspiring members. It reflects on the proceedings and the democratic process at work.
- Nisei of the Biennium Citations, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The JACL honored Congressman Daniel K. Inouye as Nisei of the Biennium, along with Distinguished Achievement awards to Stephen K. Tamura and Pat Suzuki. Rev. Donald K. Toriumi and David M. Tatsuno also received Distinguished Leadership awards.
- Dr. Yatabe Honored at Recognitions Luncheon, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe was honored at the Sacramento convention for his decades of leadership in the JACL. The testimonial recognized his service through prejudice, wartime persecution, and postwar gains for Japanese Americans.
Community
- Eight Candidates Vie for Nisei Week Title, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eight young women have entered the 20th annual Nisei Week queen contest, sponsored by various JACL chapters and organizations. Candidates will meet at Consul General Hayumi’s residence in Pasadena.
- JACL-Hawaii Tidal Wave Disaster Fund Tops $5,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Additional donations pushed the JACL-Hawaii Tidal Wave Disaster Fund past the $5,000 mark. Contributions came from chapters and individuals across the country, including New York and Ontario.
- Nisei Candidate for Colorado Senate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seiji Horiuchi, a farm consultant in Brighton, Colorado, won designation as a state senatorial candidate by the Adams County Republican Assembly. He will oppose incumbent Democrat J. Williams Wells in November.
- Convention Notes and Recognitions, by Stirling Sakamoto, page 3. A convention recap praises the Sacramento JACL hosts, the recognitions luncheon, the Issei banquet, and the 1000 Club Whing Ding. It also previews the Seattle convention for 1962.
- Rep. Inouye Testimonial Dinner Set in Fresno, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A testimonial dinner honoring Congressman Daniel K. Inouye will be held July 19 in Fresno, sponsored by local VFW posts and CCDC-JACL. Congressmen Sisk and Hagen have been invited as guests.
- Nisei Minister Named to National Council of Churches Staff, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rev. Shoye Garry Oniki was named executive director of the National Council of Churches’ Department of Racial and Cultural Relations. He previously served as executive director of the Morningside Community Center.
- Los Angeles Newsletter, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori reports on new JACL president Frank Chuman’s plans to document the history of the Issei generation. He reflects on the difficulty of capturing Issei stories and the importance of recording their contributions.
- Hawaiian Nisei Anthropologist Studies Eskimos, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. Toshio Yatsushiro, a Hawaiian Nisei anthropologist at McGill University, studied Eskimo communities at Frobisher Bay. He found the Eskimos adapted well to technology but experienced social stress including gang fights and deferred marriages.
Commentary
- Anti-Americanism in Japan, by Allan Beekman, page 2. A letter writer criticizes Honolulu’s Japanese community leaders for identifying the Japanese Consul General as representative of Nikkei, and argues Nikkei should distance themselves from such organizations. The writer warns that Japan’s protest disturbances may cause resentment toward Japanese Americans.
- Mixup in Manhattan, by Joe Oyama, page 2. A reader responds to a report of incidents resulting from student riots in Tokyo, objecting to the framing of the coverage. The letter argues there is a difference between opposing Japanese militarism and condemning the Japanese people.
- Honeymoon May Be Over?, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A letter writer speculates that the cancellation of President Eisenhower’s Tokyo trip and reports about Amelia Earhart could cool American enthusiasm for things Japanese. The writer worries this will affect Sansei and Nisei who will want less connection to Japan.
- Letterbox: Japanese Americans and Japan Protests, by Taro Kawakami, page 2. A reader argues that while Americans should not blame the Japanese people for Japan’s wrongs, Nisei should individually write to editors condemning wrongdoing. The letter urges personal action rather than waiting for organizational statements.
- From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes Tokyo’s efforts to preserve traditional culture, including a restaurant featuring folk dances in a relocated centuries-old farmhouse. He also observes popular entertainment in Tokyo, including the film Ben Hur and the Leningrad Ballet.
- Our Roles as Japanese American Youth in the Future of JACL, by Dawn Sakada, page 5. The winning essay in the national JACL essay contest urges Japanese American teenagers to dedicate themselves to JACL’s purposes. It proposes a Sansei Movement modeled on the Christophers to promote brotherhood among young people.
- Orthography, by Richard Akagi, page 6. Akagi revises his position and argues that Nisei should be pluralized as Niseis under American orthographic rules since the term is now in American dictionaries. He also argues against generational terms like Sansei and for unhyphenated Japanese American.
- Washington Newsletter: Political Conventions, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka previews the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles and the upcoming Republican convention, noting several keynote speakers and candidates well known to Japanese Americans. He analyzes how the congressional special session may shape the presidential campaign.
Arts & Entertainment
- Flower Drum Song, by Lorry S. Tojiri, page 5. Tojiri discusses the success of Japanese American performers in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song and the planned Universal film version. He also covers the Hollywood film Cry for Happy and actress Jeri Miyazaki’s lead in The World of Suzie Wong.
- Hollywood JACL Beach Party, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hollywood JACL announced its annual beach party at Playa del Rey on Sunday, July 17. The chapter will provide watermelon, soda pop, and corn.
Military & Veterans
- Meiji University Baseball Team Wins Hawaii Series, by Ted Yamachika, page 6. Meiji University’s baseball team won all nine games during its Hawaii tour, beating the University of Hawaii, the Red Sox, and USC among others. Pitcher Kogo Goto won four games and earned the University of Hawaii’s best pitcher trophy.
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