Civil rights, the Vietnam debate and the 1966 San Diego convention

Vol. 61, No. 22, November 26, 1965. 6 pages. View this issue

Civil rights led this six-page issue. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission urged new laws and better enforcement against violence and discrimination, and a JACL planning session called for faster integration. Page 2 followed the California Supreme Court arguments over Proposition 14, and Carol Hasegawa and Karen Suzuki wrote columns on equality and civic involvement. Ben Tadashi Ishii previewed San Diego as the host of the 1966 JACL National Convention.

Vietnam ran through the back pages. Todd Endo urged people to think before speaking, Dr. Jokichi Takamine described 32 days of volunteer medical work with Project Concern, and Senator Daniel Inouye answered calls for withdrawal. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Sansei and their parents in Denver, Mike Masaoka was invited to a White House conference, and Hiro Mayeda reported as Midwest District Council chairman.

What’s in this issue

National

• Rights Commission Calls for New Laws, Better Enforcement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission urged new laws and better enforcement to protect against violence and discrimination. The recommendations address federal court jurisdiction and voting rights for civil rights defendants.
• Masaoka to Talk on International Trade at White House Cooperation Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka has been invited to participate as a panelist at the White House Conference on International Cooperation. The conference will feature 30 panels covering aspects of international cooperation.
• Effects of Prop. 14 Ruling, by P.C. Staff, page 2. California Supreme Court oral arguments address the constitutionality of Proposition 14, which barred legislative limits on housing discrimination. The editorial considers possible outcomes and urges voluntary acceptance of equal housing.

JACL

• Integration Speed-Up Urged at Planning Session on Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Participants at a planning session urged faster integration as part of civil rights efforts. The session addressed the continuing barriers facing minority communities.
• Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters are encouraged to meet membership goals for the coming year. The campaign aims to strengthen the organization’s base.

Community

• Balmy Summer in ‘Diego Beckons, by Ben Tadashi Ishii, page 1. San Diego is previewed as the host city for the 1966 JACL National Convention, with its mild climate and attractions highlighted. The article describes the convention headquarters and surrounding area.
• Christmas Cheer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles will hold a Christmas celebration event with community participation. The article reports on holiday activities in the Japanese American community.
• Seattle Police Department Human Relations Courses, by Y. Pyle Matasaka, page 3. The City of Seattle ran a human relations program for municipal executives and supervisors covering minority history and race prejudice. The weekly sessions were held to improve understanding among public employees.
• Hokubei Mainichi Sets Offset Printing for Washington, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hokubei Mainichi newspaper will adopt offset printing, a change affecting its operations. The move is reported in the community section.

Commentary

• Community Service, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial reprinted from the Fresno JACL newsletter questions the role of JACL in the local community. It asks whether JACL should limit itself to fundraising and social gatherings or take on more community projects.
• Do We Have to Be More Equal?, by Carol Hasegawa, page 2. Carol Hasegawa questions the pressure on minorities to conform to equality standards. The column examines the tension between integration and ethnic identity.
• Americans Afraid to ‘Get Involved!’, by Karen Suzuki, page 2. Karen Suzuki reports on a citizenship conference and argues that Americans have grown complacent about civic responsibility. She stresses voter registration and helping those less fortunate understand their rights.
• Old Virtues Fall Into Disuse, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Citizen reprints a press comment from the Idaho Falls Post on juvenile delinquency among Asian American youth. The piece reflects on changing attitudes among Nisei and Sansei youth.
• The Sansei and Their Parents, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes a discussion on teenage problems involving Sansei and Nisei parents in Denver. He notes that the generational gap concerned family matters more than racial background.
• Be the Bound, by Hiro Mayeda, page 5. MDC Chairman Hiro Mayeda reports on his early activities leading the Midwest District Council and visits to chapters. He describes upcoming meetings and the value of JACL fellowship.
• Our Challenge: Think Before You Speak, by Todd Endo, page 6. Todd Endo critiques the polarized rhetoric about Vietnam policy and urges careful thinking rather than easy generalizations. He warns against repeating the sweeping accusations once used against Japanese immigrants.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Pilot Awarded DFC for Knocking Down Vietnam Bogey, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Nisei pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down an enemy aircraft over Vietnam. The award recognizes his combat service.
• Vietnam Medical Service, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dr. Jokichi Takamine returned from 32 days of volunteer medical work in South Vietnam with Project Concern. He describes treating patients at a hospital near Saigon and the conditions he observed.
• Sen. Inouye Takes Issue with Those Who Urge U.S. Quit Military Push in Vietnam, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Senator Daniel Inouye, speaking to Big Island veterans on Veterans Day, criticized demonstrators urging immediate withdrawal from Vietnam. He argued that the consequences for freedom in Southeast Asia must be weighed carefully.

Sports

• Long Beach Cage Tournament All Set with Eight Teams, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Eight teams are set to compete in the Long Beach JACL cage tournament. The article previews the lineup and the organizers’ plans.

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