Sansei and the civil rights bill fight in the Senate

Vol. 63, No. 10, September 2, 1966. 12 pages. View this issue

Two subjects ran through the September 2, 1966 issue: the Sansei and the 1966 civil rights bill. In a special report, a San Francisco Examiner feature reprinted by R. B. Read and a piece by Alan Kumamoto on Dr. Mamoru Iga’s study looked at how fully the third generation had taken on middle-class American culture. On the bill, Mike Masaoka previewed the coming Senate debate, and JACL chapters were urged to write their senators asking for the House-passed bill without weakening amendments.

The national president, Jerry Enomoto, began a new column, “Perspectives,” and the issue reported on the Issei Interview Survey. Sen. Daniel Inouye’s protest over a Maui funeral, Rep. Spark Matsunaga’s immigration amendment, and a dialogue between Seattle Nisei and American Indians were also covered. Columns came from Bill Hosokawa, Bill Marutani, Paul Tamura and Phil Hayasaka.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Perspectives: Kickoff Column, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The national president introduces his column and recalls the 19th Biennial National Convention in San Diego. He urges JACL members to support the Biennium’s work and expresses gratitude for the convention’s success.
• Human Relations: People in the Ghettos, by Phil Hayasaka, page 2. Phil Hayasaka quotes Roger Wilkins of the U.S. Community Relations Service on the isolation of people in urban ghettos. Wilkins argues that the response to ghetto unrest must address the local decisions that keep residents second-class citizens.
• Washington Newsletter: Senate Battle, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka previews the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1966, noting the uncertain role of Sen. Dirksen and the influence of Midwest and Western senators. He describes the JACL Legislative Committee’s request that chapters write their senators.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa profiles Bob Horiuchi, a Denver Nisei retiring from state government to assist Afghanistan with tax administration. He reflects on Nisei serving abroad and on the value of chopsticks diplomacy.
• Accent on Youth: Come Alive, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto reports on Jr. JACL activities across the district, including the Long Beach carnival and the Hollywood chapter’s fundraising. He encourages youth to carry their enthusiasm into chapter life.
• East Wind: A Proud Salute, by Bill Marutani, page 4. Marutani describes a Chicago youth marching band performing near Independence Hall in Philadelphia. He praises the young musicians as Nisei Ambassadors of brotherhood and Americanism.
• Perspective: Post-Convention Thoughts, by Paul Tamura, page 4. Tamura reflects on the San Diego convention, the youth program’s growth, and Portland’s bid to host in 1974. He argues future conventions should include surprises and more youth responsibility.
• How American Can You Get?, by Merilynne Hamano, page 6. Hamano, a Hollywood Jr. JACL member, recounts her B’nai B’rith Youth Organization civil rights panel in Palm Springs. She describes discrimination experienced by Japanese Americans and her discussions with Negro, Mexican American and Indian panelists.

JACL

• Sacramento Girl Heads NC-WNDYC as Chairman, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Diane Taniguchi of Sacramento Jr. JACL was elected chairman of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council on Aug. 14 in Hayward. She succeeds Russ Obana, who became National Jr. JACL chairman.
• Gordon, Marutani Accept JACL National Committee Posts, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Harold Gordon was appointed national chairman of the JACL legislative committee, and William Marutani was reappointed national legal counsel. Their posts were separated under a recommendation of the National Planning Commission.
• Jr. JACL National Constitution Preliminary Draft, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The approved draft of the National Junior JACL Constitution creates an eight-member council and sets chapter representation and voting rules. Chapters must ratify it by Dec. 31, 1966 to become charter members.

National

• Civil Rights Bill Fight Seen in Senate; JACL Push Vital, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate is scheduled to consider the 1966 civil rights bill after Labor Day, with uncertainty over filibuster and fair housing provisions. JACL chapters are urged to write their senators asking for support of the House-passed bill without weakening amendments.
• Another Anti-Nisei Film on TV Rapped, by P.C. Staff, page 1. KCRA in Sacramento telecast the anti-Nisei propaganda film ‘Air Force’ on Aug. 9, prompting protests from JACLers. The station replied it would edit or delete such films in the future.
• Matsunaga Seeks Amendment to Immigration Act, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga introduced legislation to exempt brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts of U.S. sponsors from the reading comprehension test. The bill responds to requests from Hawaii residents seeking admission for relatives.
• Pentagon Regrets Improper Funeral After Sen. Inouye Protests Incident, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Vietnam combat casualty on Maui received no honor guard or riflemen at his funeral, prompting Sen. Daniel Inouye to protest to Defense Secretary McNamara. Deputy Defense Secretary Cyrus Vance apologized and promised future military burial requests would be met.

Community

• PSWDC Endorses Income Protection Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council endorsed Capitol Life’s income protection plan for JACL members. The plan provides accidental death benefits and double income benefits during hospitalization.
• Japan Youth Ship Project Underway, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 1. Henry Yamaga helped Masao Nakayama of the Japan Youth Hostel Association launch a youth ship project. Nakayama chartered the Sakura Maru to make three world tours a year for Japanese young people.
• U.S. Indian-Nisei Dialogue Started, by Mrs. Fran Wada, page 2. The Seattle JACL Human Relations Committee held a dialogue with American Indians as part of ongoing meetings with various ethnic groups. Mrs. Fran Wada reported that the encounters highlighted how little Nisei know about other ethnic backgrounds.

Incarceration & Redress

• Issei Sociological Survey Completed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Issei Interview Survey sociological field work has concluded with more than a thousand interview schedules collected. Project staff are preparing data for processing at the University of California Survey Center, with the project scheduled for completion in 1970.
• Issei Survey Quality Control and Findings, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Project staff describe how the Issei interview replies are being coded and tabulated for analysis. Preliminary findings suggest Issei wives were often better educated than husbands and many Issei came from samurai farming families.

Military & Veterans

• Rasmussen, Aiso, Mashbir to Attend MIS Vet Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Col. Kai E. Rasmussen, Col. Sidney Mashbir and Judge John Aiso accepted invitations to the 25th anniversary reunion of military intelligence servicemen in San Francisco on Nov. 11-13. Maj. Gen. Charles Willoughby will be keynote speaker if his health permits.

In-Depth

• Our Third Generation: They’re Too Good to Be True, by R. B. Read, page 2. Reprinted from the San Francisco Examiner, this feature examines the Sansei’s remarkable educational and professional achievements and their assimilation. It explores the Nisei’s wartime experiences and the cultural concept of face that shaped the community.
• On the Sansei: An Assimilated Generation, by Alan Kumamoto, page 2. Kumamoto summarizes Dr. Mamoru Iga’s study finding that Sansei assimilation to middle-class American culture is nearly complete. The study compares value orientations of Japanese Americans, Caucasians and Japanese.

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