The 1967 interim board meeting and the question of JACL in politics

Vol. 64, No. 8, February 24, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

The National JACL Board’s interim meeting in San Francisco ran through much of this six-page issue. Jerry Enomoto thanked the board in his column, Harry Honda reported on the roughly 30 areas of concern it weighed, and an editorial took up the debate over whether JACL should be involved in politics. The board referred political guidelines to the Planning Commission and assigned committees to study civil rights action, the Endowment Fund and constitutional changes. Another story said Prof. Robert A. Wilson of UCLA promised his history manuscript by the end of 1968.

Other pieces looked outward. Bill Hosokawa reviewed a book on the World War II incarceration (often called internment) and criticized Time magazine’s reception of it. Japanese embassy counselor Shon-ichi Yamanaka wrote about cultural exchange between the United States and Japan. Los Angeles school enrollment counts, a Nishijin silk curtain for the John F. Kennedy Center and a daifuku mochi recipe by Kimi Shimamoto also appeared.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Governing Board, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto thanks the National Board for its work at the interim meeting and acknowledges staff and chapter hosts. He also notes his appreciation for the Oakland chapter’s letter urging broader JACL involvement in contemporary issues.
• Seafair Parade on Tap, by Ken Kumamoto, page 2. The column urges Seattle’s Japanese community to participate in the 1967 Seafair parade with a float, noting the community’s past successes and the new Seafair leadership. It suggests the local JACL chapter revive its sponsorship and tap its young adults group for support.
• Better American, Better Japanese, by Shon-ichi Yamanaka, page 2. Japanese embassy counselor Shon-ichi Yamanaka traces the historical cultural exchange between the United States and Japan, from Perry’s visits to the postwar occupation. He argues that Nisei have a unique role in enriching American culture with Japanese traditions while becoming better citizens of the world.
• America’s Concentration Camps, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reviews Allan R. Bosworth’s book on the WWII Evacuation and criticizes Time magazine’s dismissive review. He finds the book’s facts unsurprising to Nisei readers but notes its value in reminding Americans of this chapter of history.
• Daifuku Mochi, by Kimi Shimamoto, page 4. Shimamoto shares a recipe for daifuku mochi, a sweet rice cake filled with an-paste, along with memories of wartime camp food experiments. She explains how packaged rice flour and koshi-an can simplify preparation at home.
• Still Looking, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto reports on Jr. JACL membership forms and constitution ratifications, plans for the 1968 National Youth Convention in San Jose, and a PSW District Youth Council snow trip. He also discusses National JACL Scholarship procedures and the youth role in the interim board meeting.
• Episodes of Evacuation: No Butchers Edict, by Berry Suzukida, page 5. Suzukida recounts the Granada Relocation Center’s food shortage when no evacuees would volunteer as butchers due to Buddhist and caste-based aversions. He describes how twenty men eventually stepped forward after the project director issued an ultimatum.
• NAIRO Chapter, by Phil Hayasaka, page 6. The column describes the formation and growth of the Northwest Chapter of NAIRO, the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials, which was chartered after a year of organizing. It outlines the chapter’s 1967 program of monthly meetings on topics such as law enforcement, employment, housing, and youth human rights.
• East Wind, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Marutani comments on several chapter publications and columnists, praising a San Diego writer on the suffix ‘maru’ and the Washington columnist Zebra. He also praises Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter and asks former columnists such as Dick Akagi and Saburo Kido to return.
• Governing Board and JACL and Politics Editorial, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial discusses the interim board’s debate over JACL involvement in politics, noting the consensus to focus on issues rather than candidates and the Planning Commission’s assignment to draft guidelines. It also raises concerns about JACL’s nonprofit tax status and invites reader input.

National

• Interim Board Briefs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Board’s interim meeting in San Francisco covered a range of actions, including planning the JACL Japan Tour, referring political guidelines to the Planning Commission, and accepting progress reports on the Endowment Fund and membership. Numerous committees were assigned studies on issues such as civil rights, constitutional amendments, and a scholarship foundation.
• Denver Urban Renewal to Affect Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Denver Urban Renewal Authority executive Floyd H. Tanaka was scheduled to speak to the Mile-Hi JACL about the proposed Skyline Urban Renewal Project. The project could relocate many Japanese American families if voters approve it May 16.
• Politics in JACL Undecided, by Harry Honda, page 1. The National Board interim meeting assessed about 30 areas of concern, with political activity by JACL officials to be guided by individual judgment under the nonpartisan policy while the Planning Commission drafts guidelines. Committees were also tasked with studying civil rights action, endowment fund use, and constitutional changes regarding subordinate units.
• Civil Service Racial Head Count Irks NAACP Representative, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Civil Service Commission meeting in Washington addressed criticism of the federal minority employment study, particularly the self-designation method of recording employee race. JACL representative Roger Nikaido asked why Oriental subgroups were not broken down, and the Commission cited few complaints and high Oriental job placement.
• Credit Union Issues Newly-Designed Membership Leaflet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL Credit Union released a new leaflet describing its purpose and programs, open to all JACL members. The credit union re-elected Eddie Moriguchi as president and reported over 450 active members and more than $500,000 in assets after a merger with Cal-Neva JACL Credit Union.
• Nishijin Silk Drop Curtain to Grace Grand Opera Hall of JFK Center in D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 4. Japan presented a large Nishijin silk drop curtain to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington as a memorial to the late President and a symbol of cultural ties. The gift, valued at over $200,000, was funded by the Japanese government and private contributions organized by the America-Japan Society.
• History Project Manuscript by End of 1968 Promised by Wilson, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Prof. Robert A. Wilson of UCLA agreed to submit his manuscript on the history of Japanese in the United States by December 31, 1968, under agreements reached with the JACL Japanese History Project Committee. The agreements also address publishing, royalties, distribution, and academic freedom.
• 24,500 Orientals Counted in L.A. City School District, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A state-mandated racial and ethnic survey of Los Angeles City Schools counted 24,588 students of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent, about 3.4 percent of pupils. The report also tallied Spanish-surname, Negro, and other white students and teachers by school.

Community

• Ore.-Idaho Nisei Can Win in Politics, by Betty Uda, page 3. Idaho Attorney General Allan G. Shepard urged members of the Boise Valley and Snake River JACL chapters to participate in politics and run for office at their joint installation banquet. He praised the community’s achievements and low rates of juvenile delinquency and divorce.

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