Vol. 61, No. 9, August 27, 1965. 4 pages. View this issue
The Watts riot and a television film about Nisei shared the news in this four-page issue. At the Pacific Southwest District Council session, Frank Thomas spoke on the riot and on police brutality, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter turned to the riots and the hatred behind them. Alongside came a protest by JACL, JAPAC and the Japanese Church Federation of Southern California against an FBI Story episode about a Nisei in World War II. Actor George Shibata said he had declined a role in it. CBS-TV also planned a documentary, The Pride and the Shame, on the wartime incarceration and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Elsewhere, Harry Honda looked back at past JACL conventions, and Carol Hasegawa wrote about why Japanese Americans like seeing themselves on screen. Gales Itami reported on a Jr. JACL workshop in Portland, and Jimmy Shigeta talked about his film career. The issue also noted a Nisei doctor’s role in a medical first and the demolition of the Miyake Hotel.
What’s in this issue
Community
- PSWDC Hears Watts Riot Analysis from Los Angeles Leader, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Thomas, longtime Los Angeles civil rights figure, addressed the PSWDC third quarterly session on the Watts riot and police brutality. He argued the Negro community in Watts is willing to help rebuild itself despite the proposal that Negroes influence lawbreakers.
- Nominees for ’65-’66 PSWDC Board Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A slate of eight nominees was submitted for the 1965-66 Pacific Southwest District Council board, with seven vacancies to be filled. Discussion also addressed enlarging the board to reflect the number of chapters in the district.
- San Jose Turns In Record $940 to Walter Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose JACL Walter Memorial Fund campaign was acclaimed a success at the PSWDC session in Los Angeles. Chairman Tom Takeshita was commended for the local benefit effort.
- Nisei Doctor Helps Set Medical History, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A team of doctors including Nisei pediatrician Dr. Richard Imagawa performed what is believed to be a first in medical history by transfusing an infant with Rh complications. The baby boy, son of the Bickbell family of Tustin, is recovering at Santa Ana Community Hospital.
- JACL Protests TV Film Story of Nisei Slated for Fall, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL protested a planned television program about a Nisei during World War II to the producers and sponsors. The protest argued the story misrepresented the loyalty of Japanese Americans demonstrated during the war.
- Miyake Hotel Demolition Scheduled to Begin Today, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Demolition of the Miyake Hotel was scheduled to begin, marking the loss of a Japanese American landmark. The hotel had served the community for many years.
- Portland Jr. JACL Hosts Successful Three-Day Affair, by Gales Itami, page 4. Over 200 youths from the Pacific Northwest District gathered in Portland for a three-day Jr. JACL workshop. Sessions covered leadership, the importance of youth programs, and plans for a Pacific Northwest District Youth Council.
Arts & Entertainment
- Nisei: The Pride and the Shame to Air on CBS-TV Sept. 19, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A CBS-TV documentary titled The Pride and the Shame will examine the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans and the service of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It features interviews with Senator Inouye, Mike Masaoka, and other figures from the Nisei community.
- Actor-Attorney Says TV Episode in ‘FBI Story’ Twists Facts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei actor George Shibata said he declined a role in an FBI Story episode that portrayed a Nisei during World War II. The episode drew protest from JACL and other groups who argued it misrepresented Japanese Americans.
- Jimmy Shigeta Talks About Films and Career, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Actor Jimmy Shigeta discusses his roles in Elvis Presley’s Paradise, Hawaiian Style and Bridge on the River Kwai. He describes his shift from aspiring English teacher to film actor.
National
- Japanese Fundamentally Very Friendly Toward Americans, Says U.S. Ambassador, by P.C. Staff, page 1. U.S. Ambassador Edwin Reischauer told newsmen in a WHEN-TV interview that the Japanese people are friendly toward Americans. He said Japan is concerned about the Vietnam situation possibly expanding into a world war.
- Hawaii Just Missed Falling Under Voting Rights Act Statistically, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii narrowly escaped coverage under the Voting Rights Act based on 1964 voter statistics. Federal registrars could still be provided for political subdivisions where literacy tests had a discriminatory effect.
- Watts Riot Still Questioned, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Analysts examined the underlying causes of the Watts riot, including poverty, unemployment, and family breakdown in the Negro community. The piece argues that police relations and lack of economic opportunity fueled the unrest.
JACL
- First Joint Convention—1960s Reflections on JACL’s Biennial Gatherings, by Harry Honda, page 1. Harry Honda reviews past JACL biennial and national conventions, including discussions of US-Japan relations and the Nisei cultural heritage. He highlights the New York convention’s brainstorm symposium on JACL’s future role.
- Mid-Columbia Jr. JACL Hosts National Youth Director, by P.C. Staff, page 4. National JACL youth director Alan Kumamoto and Jr. JACL leader Patti Tasaura attended a Mid-Columbia Jr. JACL dinner in Hood River. Discussion focused on forming a Pacific Northwest District Youth Council and the upcoming national convention.
- EDC-MDC Confabs Tops for Its Size, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The EDC-MDC joint convention is reviewed for its significance to JACL, including past biennials in Chicago, New York, and Cleveland. The article discusses organizational resolutions and plans for future chapter development.
Military & Veterans
- Private Showing Asked to View Disputed Teleplay, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Representatives of JACL and JAPAC requested a private screening of the disputed FBI Story episode before its broadcast. They sought to determine whether the episode would unfairly portray a loyal ethnic minority group.
Incarceration & Redress
- Japanese Church Federation Protests Scheduled Broadcast, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japanese Church Federation of Southern California joined protests against a television broadcast about the wartime Nisei story. Church leaders expressed concern over the moral judgment reflected in the program.
Commentary
- Equal Opportunity Employment Caper, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka writes in his Washington Newsletter about the Watts riots and President Johnson’s remarks on equal opportunity. He urges that the nation must address hatred and bigotry, not merely violence.
- Looking at Ourselves, by Carol Hasegawa, page 4. Carol Hasegawa reflects on why Japanese Americans enjoy seeing themselves featured in film and television. She notes the change from earlier years when many rejected their ancestry.
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