Vol. 63, No. 22, November 25, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue
Civil rights and the direction of JACL ran through this six-page issue. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about tough questions raised at a gathering of national leaders, including how partisan JACL should be on issues touching Japanese Americans. Harry K. Honda and Rev. William Shinto each took up the organization’s role, and Joseph L. Rauh argued that the Senate could change Rule 22 by majority vote. A front-page report said Virginia’s Attorney General had defended the state’s ban on interracial marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court, and that JACL was studying the matter with legal counsel William Marutani.
Chapter news included the charter of the 89th chapter, Southeast Los Angeles-North Orange County, and new presidents in Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles. Mike Masaoka reviewed the Nov. 8 elections, and Dr. Minoru Masuda looked at school bussing in Seattle. National JACL also offered a pre-publication price on Capt. Allan Bosworth’s book about the Evacuation. Columns by Bill Marutani and Alan Kumamoto round out the pages.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Tough Questions, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on JACL concerns discussed at a gathering of national leaders, including political activity by staff and officers. He argues JACL must be partisan on issues that directly affect Japanese Americans and civil rights.
- ‘America’s Concentration Camps’ Nearly Published, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL arranged a pre-publication price of $5 for Capt. Allan Bosworth’s book on the Evacuation. Delivery is expected in mid-January and chapters are urged to donate copies to libraries.
Community
- Continuing Need for JACL Stressed at Selanoco Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Southeast Los Angeles-North Orange County JACL received its charter as the 89th chapter at an installation dinner in Whittier. National President Enomoto urged the organization to press forward on civil rights and full equality.
- Cherry Blossom Festival in S.F. Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Commission proposed a two-day Japanese American community festival in Golden Gate Park the weekend of April 8. Funding would come from major companies rather than individuals.
- Has It Worked? On School Bussing, by Dr. Minoru Masuda, page 1. Dr. Masuda reviews Seattle’s voluntary busing program moving Negro students to suburban schools since 1963. Research found academic and social benefits for students and parents, though transportation cost remains an obstacle.
- Woman President May Continue to Lead Pasadena JACL, by Mack Yamaguchi, page 4. Pasadena JACL’s nominations committee put forward Mrs. Ala Abe for 1967 president, continuing a string of women presidents since 1962. The chapter also recently exceeded its 1965 membership count.
- Downtown Elects Ed Matsuda, Its 5th Issei Prexy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Downtown Los Angeles JACL elected Ed M. Matsuda as its 1967 president, succeeding Mitsuhiko Shimizu. Matsuda is a long-time Li’l Tokyo investment businessman and the fifth naturalized Nisei to lead the chapter.
Incarceration & Redress
- Crime Wave Increasing: When Can It Be Curbed?, by Toshio Oda, page 1. Oda examines rising assaults on police officers and the difficult split-second decisions officers face when using force. He argues that court rulings and public attitudes are tilting the balance against law enforcement.
National
- Virginia Attorney General Defends Anti-Miscegenation Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Virginia’s Attorney General asked the U.S. Supreme Court to ignore the constitutional challenge to the state’s interracial marriage ban in the Loving case. JACL, which has a stake in the issue, is studying the matter with its legal counsel William Marutani.
- Senate Rule 22 Change Studied, by Joseph L. Rauh, page 3. Rauh argues that the Senate can adopt a new Rule 22 by majority vote at the opening of the 90th Congress, citing the filibuster abuses of the 89th Congress. He reviews six prior attempts and the legal basis for majority rule.
Military & Veterans
- Elections ’66, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews congressional defeats in the Nov. 8 elections, highlighting the losses of Rep. Frank Chelf, Sen. Paul Douglas, and others who supported Japanese American causes. He describes their contributions to corrective legislation and immigration reform.
Commentary
- Pleasant Repast, by Bill Marutani, page 3. Marutani reflects on a dinner conversation about why Nisei have not engaged more deeply with the fine arts despite high educational attainment. He offers possible explanations while admitting his own limited appreciation of classical culture.
- Youth Notes: NAIRO, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto reports on JACL’s participation in the NAIRO intergroup relations conference in Los Angeles. He also describes a discussion with young adults at a Hollywood Christian Fellowship meeting about JACL’s youth programs.
- Editor’s Desk, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Honda addresses criticism of JACL as the organization’s role grows, defending its wartime and integration positions. He argues that constructive criticism is welcome while the group continues advocating for Japanese Americans.
- JACL Should Be JA, by Rev. William Shinto, page 6. Rev. Shinto argues that JACL should emphasize its Japanese American identity rather than civil liberties principles, questioning whether the organization should speak for all Nisei. He suggests it focus on narrower, directly relevant self-interest goals.
- Thank You, by Progressive Westside JACL, page 6. The Progressive Westside JACL chapter thanks the newspaper for publicity support over the past year. The letter describes efforts to unite the age group within the chapter.
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