Fair housing and a new city councilman: JACL news, August 1967

Vol. 65, No. 6, August 11, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

Fair housing and local leadership drew the most attention in this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto congratulated Norman Mineta on his appointment to the San Jose City Council and welcomed the Riverside chapter, then criticized the compromise Bagley-Burns bill as a step backward for the Rumford Fair Housing Act. A news story reported that the California legislature adjourned without settling the dispute, leaving the Rumford Act in effect until at least 1968. Mike Masaoka’s Newsletter looked at the national investigations into the summer’s urban riots.

Other pages cover the Dayton JACL’s gift of 150 cherry trees, preparations for the 1968 JACL convention in San Jose, and Jim Henry’s column on survivors of the atomic bombings. Harold Horiuchi asked whether the enryo syndrome explains Nisei silence, Don Estes wrote about the making of the Japanese katana, and a review praised the Odori Festival.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Congratulations, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto congratulates Norman Mineta on his appointment to the San Jose City Council and praises the San Jose chapter’s rise to Ichiban status. He also welcomes the Riverside JACL and notes membership gains across districts.
• Disappointing, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto criticizes the California Assembly committee’s compromise Bagley-Burns bill, which would weaken the Rumford Fair Housing Act. He argues the legislature is wrongly influenced by real estate interests and that the compromise is a step backward.
• Newsletter: Riot Investigations, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reviews the multiple national investigations underway into summer urban riots and questions whether they will produce practical answers. He warns that political considerations and scapegoating could undermine the inquiries.
• Need to Be Different, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An editorial praises the Dayton JACL’s gift of cherry trees as a symbol of the value of distinct ethnic communities within a metropolitan area. It argues mass-produced affluence risks homogenizing society and that individuality should be nurtured.
• The 1968 Challenge, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Jeffrey Matsui sets out optimism that the Pacific Southwest District can challenge the Number One district for membership honors in 1968. He describes a uniform membership drive with a kick-off date of October 2.
• We Can’t Duck Issue, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Alan Kumamoto reflects on the importance of confronting human rights issues after recent violence and describes youth discussions held at the Western Regional Youth Council gathering. He urges young Japanese Americans to face these questions rather than avoid them.
• Those Who Suffer, by Jim Henry, page 5. Jim Henry examines Japan’s 1967 national survey of atomic bomb victims, noting roughly 300,000 still affected and facing discrimination. He contrasts government statistics with optimistic U.S. research conclusions and profiles one Nagasaki survivor.
• West Maui Railroad, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Land Use Commission approved a permit for a six-mile scenic railroad on Maui’s west coast, and several Hawaii appointments and awards are noted. The column also covers local Hawaii news items.
• Is It Enryo?, by Harold Horiuchi, page 6. Harold Horiuchi argues that the ‘enryo syndrome’ is misapplied to explain Nisei apathy and the wartime evacuation. He contends that fear, timidity, and concern over loss of face better explain the lack of civil rights involvement.
• Big Problem: Finances, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A column urges older JACL members to take over chapter fundraising so younger leaders can focus on programming. It proposes donor-based models such as a Century Club over traditional bazaars and dances.
• Executive Reorganization, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial discusses a draft plan for JACL executive reorganization that would create a president-elect and vice-presidents to divide line and service responsibilities. It argues that changes are inevitable as the organization grows.

National

• Rumford Act to Remain in Effect as California Legislature Adjourns, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California legislature adjourned without resolving the fair housing dispute, leaving the Rumford Act in effect until at least 1968. The Senate and Assembly failed to reconcile their versions of the bill.
• Many Americans Don’t Believe Japan Trustworthy as Ally, Gallup Poll Reports, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Gallup poll commissioned by Japan’s foreign ministry found only 45 percent of Americans consider Japan a trustworthy ally. Results from Britain showed Japanese industrial products are widely recognized but Japan’s political system is poorly understood.
• Dr. Kanai Represents JACL on Larry Tajiri Memorial Foundation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Koji Kanai was designated as the Mile-Hi JACL representative to the Larry Tajiri Memorial Foundation in Denver. The foundation honors the late Pacific Citizen wartime editor and presents awards for dramatic arts.

Community

• Dayton’s Operation Pink Petal Blossoms Forth on Local Front Page, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Dayton JACL chapter plans to donate 150 Japanese cherry trees to be planted at Eastwood Park, as a gesture of gratitude to the city. The project also aims to contribute to Dayton’s beautification.
• EDYC Chairman Scott Nagao Guest of Honor at Farewell Dinner, by Jean Taniguchi, page 1. Members of the Eastern District Youth Council honored outgoing chairman Scott Nagao at a farewell dinner-dance in Seabrook, N.J. Nagao departed for Germany as a Bridgeton High School goodwill exchange student.
• 1000ers Line Up Miss 1968 JACL Convention Entertainment, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose JACL 1000 Club will stage entertainment at the Miss JACL 1968 coronation ball featuring singer Herman Wyatt. Six contestants are competing for the convention queen title.

Incarceration & Redress

• Nisei Trio Hear Coroner’s Verdict, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Los Angeles coroner’s inquest ruled the death of Ronald Hada after a Little Tokyo brawl an excusable homicide, with three Nisei involved released without charges. The Hada family has retained an attorney to pursue the case.

Military & Veterans

• Pakistani Students Unable to Believe Sansei American Actually U.S.-Born, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Paula Watanabe, a Sansei member of the UC Santa Barbara team on Project Pakistan 1967, found students doubted she was American-born. She used the encounters to discuss race relations and U.S. foreign policy with Pakistani youth.

In-Depth

• Blades with a Soul, by Don Estes, page 4. Don Estes describes the metallurgical and artistic traditions behind the Japanese katana, from forging and clay tempering to the final hamon pattern. He argues the sword represents the finest steel ever produced.

Arts & Entertainment

• Odori Festival—A Rare Delight, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A review praises the Odori Festival’s stage adaptations of Japanese folk dances at the Ahmanson Theater, highlighting the shamisen, the Great Snake of Yamata, and the harvest dances. The reviewer calls the evening a delight.

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