Two generations, a San Diego convention, and a new chapter forming

Vol. 62, No. 13, April 1, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

Issei and Sansei families were the subject of the front-page profile by Oakland Tribune writer Bill Strobel, which followed Mrs. Shibata and her family’s nursery in Mount Eden from pre-war life through Evacuation and into postwar America. Planning for the JACL convention in San Diego ran through the issue: Tad Imoto described sportfishing for delegates, and Paul Hoshi urged members to sell booklet ads before the April 15 deadline. A new JACL chapter was also taking shape in southeast Los Angeles County.

In the commentary pages, Harry K. Honda wrote about JACL staffing and about Negro soldiers in Vietnam, and Clifford Uyeda recommended Anne Reeploeg Fisher’s book on Evacuation. Elsewhere were a report on the Supreme Court’s poll tax ruling, a profile of Warren Tsuneishi of the Library of Congress, and Ken Kuroiwa’s account of a weekend in Berlin.

What’s in this issue

National

• Issei-Sansei Generations: Separated but United, by Bill Strobel, page 1. Oakland Tribune writer Bill Strobel profiles Japanese American families across two generations, centering on Mrs. Shibata and her family’s nursery in Mount Eden. The piece traces their experiences from pre-war life through Evacuation and into postwar America, reflecting on how Nisei carried their heritage forward.
• Nisei Urges School Change Optional Attendance Rule, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Paul Tsuneishi, president of the Sunland-Tujunga Human Relations Council, asked the Los Angeles Board of Education to correct racial imbalance at Mt. Gleason Jr. High by revising the optional attendance rule. A special hearing on the matter is set for April 14.
• Supreme Court Strikes Down Poll Tax, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on March 24 that Virginia’s poll tax was unconstitutional, invalidating similar taxes in remaining states. Justice Douglas held that wealth is irrelevant to voting qualifications and that the 1937 Breedlove decision was wrong.
• Miscegenation Case, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A federal judge in Louisville declined jurisdiction in a case where a white mother lost custody of her children after marrying a Negro, finding no federal question involved. Meanwhile the Maryland Senate gave preliminary approval to repealing its ban on interracial marriage.
• National Jr. JACL: Is There a Purpose?, by Todd Endo, page 4. Todd Endo argues that the proposed national Jr. JACL has been planned in mechanics without a clear discussion of its purpose and philosophy. He raises questions about its relationship to the parent JACL, its view of Japanese American heritage, and its leadership role.

Community

• Seasickness or Sashimi, by Tad Imoto, page 1. San Diego convention planners describe half-day and all-day sportfishing options for delegates during JACL convention week. Albacore fishing is expected to peak during the convention, with reservations recommended well in advance.
• Southeast L.A. County Chapter Being Formed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Some 400 Nisei families in southeast Los Angeles County have been invited to join a new JACL chapter, and nearly 50 have already signed up. A first general meeting is scheduled for April 23 to choose a name, officers, and a constitution.
• U.S. Foreign Aid Has Big Role in Southeast Asia Development, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Spark Matsunaga spoke to the Washington, D.C. JACL chapter about his November-December tour of Asia, illustrated with slides. He argued that U.S. foreign aid is important to developing nations and must continue until they can sustain themselves.
• Nihongo Slated for Seattle Curriculum, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A $50,000 Ford Foundation grant will fund Japanese language courses at Franklin and Ingraham High Schools in Seattle beginning in September. It marks the first time such courses will be offered to daytime high school students there.
• Nisei-Mexican American Ties Strengthened, by Takeo Susuri, page 1. The West Los Angeles JACL held a community relations meeting with Mexican Americans, featuring a panel of local leaders. Police officer Bob Kurowski warned that juvenile delinquency statistics were trending upward and stressed that discipline begins at home.
• TV Sets Ring Installation Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Santa Maria Valley JACL installed its 1966 officers at a dinner where guests watched the American Jr. Miss Pageant, featuring local Sansei Naomi Lynne Kohatsu. National JACL members were urged to attend the upcoming convention in San Diego.
• Dr. Tsuneishi of Yale Appointed Chief of Orientalia Division for Library of Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Warren M. Tsuneishi of the Yale University Library was appointed Chief of the Library of Congress Orientalia Division, succeeding the late Horace I. Poleman. He will assume his duties at the end of June, bringing extensive Japanese language and scholarly background to the post.
• Gardena Candidate Ken Nakaoka Platform, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ken Nakaoka, the lone Nisei candidate in Gardena’s April 12 council election, outlined his platform including lower property taxes, park development, and a Senior Citizens program. He is a realtor with long civic involvement and a JACL member since 1938.
• Act of Charity Spreads JACL Name to Africa, by Clark Biggs, page 4. A bowling shirt donated to Goodwill by Yoshio Kawahara of Sacramento turned up on a boy in Zaria, Northern Nigeria, photographed by Peace Corps volunteer Jack Prichett. The shirt’s JACL and Sacramento lettering traced the story back to its original owner.
• Librarian Dr. Tsuneishi Biographical Profile, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A profile of Dr. Warren Tsuneishi, a Monrovia native and Yale librarian appointed Chief of the Library of Congress Orientalia Division. The article covers his education, Army service, and scholarly publications.

JACL

• Women Help Solicit Booklet Ads, by Paul Hoshi, page 1. The convention booklet committee reports progress on advertising sales ahead of the April 15 final deadline. Paul Hoshi urges members, especially women, to solicit ads from employers and businesses to strengthen the JACL story.

Military & Veterans

• Portland Officer Killed in Vietnam, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Marine 2nd Lt. Roger P. Okamoto of Portland was killed in a battle near Da Nang, Vietnam, on March 22. He had been in Vietnam only a month after completing officer training and is believed to be the eighth Japanese American killed in the war.
• Japanese Seafair Float Designer to Aid Wash. State Pavilion at Osaka Fair, by Elmer Ogawa, page 4. Roger Ford, designer of Seattle’s Japanese Seafair floats, has been loaned by Boeing to coordinate the Washington State pavilion at the Osaka trade fair. The pavilion was a major attraction at the previous Tokyo fair.

Commentary

• Regional Directors or Specialists, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor argues that JACL should hire specialists, such as a publications director, rather than regional directors, to meet growing demand for information on Evacuation and to support national programs. He suggests such staff would help launch proposals that currently stall for lack of personnel.
• Negro Soldiers in Vietnam, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editor compares Negro military service casualty and reenlistment figures in Vietnam with the small number of Japanese Americans killed there. He suggests the war may erase prejudice against Negroes as World War II did for Japanese Americans.
• Exile of a Race, by Clifford Uyeda, page 2. Clifford Uyeda writes to recommend Anne Reeploeg Fisher’s book on Evacuation, published earlier this year, and urges chapters to encourage local libraries to stock it. He believes it will help the American public understand what happened to Japanese Americans during World War II.
• Kido Testimonial, by Nobu T. Kawai, page 2. Nobu Kawai proposes a tribute at the national convention to Saburo Kido for his wartime JACL leadership. He argues that other wartime leaders such as Mike Masaoka, George Inagaki, and Hito Okada deserve recognition as well.
• A Weekend in Berlin, by Ken Kuroiwa, page 5. Ken Kuroiwa describes a weekend trip from West Germany into East Berlin, including tense border crossings and a snowy drive back on the Autobahn. He recounts the stark view of the Berlin Wall and his disappointing Japanese dinner in the city.

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