Vol. 65, No. 5, August 4, 1967. 8 pages. View this issue
JACL’s Eastern and Midwest district conventions in Chicago, Sept. 1-4, drew much of the news in this eight-page issue. Mari Aki reported on the full adult schedule, and Carol Nakagawa wrote about the youth convention over Labor Day weekend. National President Jerry Enomoto explained the term ‘buddahead’ in his column, and the issue covered a Washington memorial service at Arlington Cemetery for Japanese Americans who died for the nation. Roger Nikaido reported on former WRA officials who spoke at the Eastern District Council banquet about the World War II incarceration (often called internment).
The summer’s riots ran through the commentary pages. Mike Masaoka wrote on riots and mob rule, Moonray Kojima compared National Guard searches in Plainfield, N.J., to the wartime incarceration, and the editorial called on JACL to act on civil rights. Sansei were a steady theme, from Yori Wada’s talk on delinquency to Jun P. Imahara’s column and a Portland workshop called ‘Sansei on Sex.’ Bill Hosokawa and Saburo Kido contributed columns as well.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Buddahead, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto explains the origin of the term ‘buddahead’ and says no slur was intended in a prior column. He ties the discussion to patriotism and the obligation to protect civil liberties even when questioning government.
- Riots and mob rule, by Mike Masaoka, page 4. Masaoka reviews the President’s July 27 appeal and the new Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders following riots in more than 50 cities. He also reflects on the Japanese American wartime experience and the consequences of noncooperation.
- Two Nisei, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Hosokawa recommends William Craig’s book The Fall of Japan and highlights the roles of Nisei Sgt. Fumio Kido and Lt. Ralph Yempuku in wartime rescue missions. He notes that many stories of Nisei heroism remain untold.
- Commuter bus, by Yosh Hotta, page 6. Hotta reflects on commuting by bus in the city and on the urban unrest of the summer. He argues that real remedies require education and community responsibility, not just condemnation of violence.
- Know thyself, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Kumamoto discusses why people join groups and how participation helps members learn about themselves and others. He cites Jr. JACL as an example of a group that develops members’ potential.
- Challenge to Sansei, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 6. Matsui describes a visit from L.A. County sheriff’s recruiters seeking young men for careers in law enforcement. He encourages Sansei to consider the challenge of professional policing.
- Under 21, by Russell Obana, page 6. Obana previews the National Youth Council meeting in August and the preparation for the 1968 National Convention in San Jose. He proposes more discussion and seminar-style sessions in place of dry business meetings.
- The Sansei youth–a dilemma?, by Jun P. Imahara, page 6. Imahara observes that Sansei are becoming part of the mainstream while still staying clannish as a group. He argues their group orientation has kept them constructive rather than turning them toward delinquent gangs.
- A dip in the Gold Bath Tub, by Saburo Kido, page 6. Kido describes a visit to the Funahara Hotel, a resort owned by George Takeyoshi Ishikawa, with its famous gold bathtub and barbecue dining. He recounts the amenities and the hotel’s appeal to Japanese honeymooners and tourists.
- Domestic tranquility, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The editorial reflects on the summer’s riots and the failure of political and moral leadership that produced them. It calls for JACL to take concrete action on civil rights and to help the disadvantaged.
- Price of dissent, by Fred Y. Hirasuna, page 8. Hirasuna praises Congresswoman Patsy Mink for publicly opposing the Administration’s Vietnam policy and calling for an end to bombing of North Vietnam. He salutes her courage in dissenting within her own party.
- Hysteria in Plainfield, by Moonray Kojima, page 8. Kojima compares the National Guard searches of Negro homes in Plainfield, N.J. to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans. He urges Japanese Americans to remain vigilant against bigotry and to preserve group unity.
- Dog Paddle, by Zebra, page 8. A lighthearted column speculates humorously on the origin of the Mongolian spot and Japanese babies’ coloring. It satirizes racial pseudoscience with mock history.
National
- Nadine runner-up to Seafair queen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nadine Iwata, 19, was selected lady in waiting to the 1967 Seafair Queen in Seattle. She is the first Sansei to attain the honor since Nancy Ann Sawa in 1960.
JACL
- JACL honors fallen Nisei in battle as solemn climax to Jerry’s visit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. During the Eastern District Council meeting in Washington, JACL held an Arlington Cemetery memorial service honoring Japanese Americans who died for the nation. National President Enomoto laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at the Battleship Maine memorial.
- EDC-MDC golf tourney set for Silver Lake, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The EDC-MDC Convention golf tournament will be held at Silver Lake Country Club on Sunday, Sept. 3, sponsored by the Chicago JACL 1000 Club. Awards will be presented at dinner following the contest.
- Chicago’s pride of bridge world to meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei bridge players with a combined 10,000 Master points will compete in the EDC-MDC Convention bridge tournament on Sept. 2. Those wishing to register may sign at the convention desk before noon Sept. 2.
- Wm. Marutani to be top speaker at NC-WN meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Philadelphia lawyer and National JACL legal counsel William Marutani will speak at the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council meeting in San Jose on Aug. 20. He will discuss recent civil rights trends and citizen involvement in human relations.
Community
- Reservations now due as complete convention schedule released, by Mari Aki, page 1. Chicago prepares for the EDC-MDC Convention, Sept. 1-4 at the Pick-Congress Hotel, with a full adult and junior program. The schedule includes a luncheon, fashion show, civil rights workshop, and a banquet featuring Japanese Ambassador Takeso Shimoda.
- Japanese American community blamed for increase in delinquency, by Glenn Watanabe, page 2. Yori Wada, former California Youth Authority commissioner, told San Francisco Jr. JACL that Sansei delinquents often come from well-off, middle-class families. He urged the community to offer understanding and self-respect rather than ostracism.
- Chicago youth to host ED-MDYC convention, by Carol Nakagawa, page 6. Chicago will host the 1967 biennial EDYC-MDYC Convention over Labor Day weekend at the Pick-Congress Hotel. Highlights include a variety show, slave auction, workshops on prejudice, and the crowning of a convention queen.
- ‘Sansei on Sex’ workshop theme this weekend, by Tritia Toyota, page 6. The Portland Jr. JACL summer workshop at Lewis and Clark College took up the theme ‘Sansei on Sex’ with experienced authorities leading discussions. The goal was a frank and realistic approach to youth problems in morality and sex.
Incarceration & Redress
- WRA legal counsel feared avalanche of evacuation test cases, by Roger Nikaido, page 1. Former WRA officials revealed their most difficult problems at the EDC banquet in Washington. Morrill Tozier, Philip Glick, and Thomas Holland described challenges including the student relocation program, loyalty screening, and the legal justification for evacuation.
Military & Veterans
- Hawaii airman killed in Vietnam, by Richard Gima, page 6. Airman 2nd Class Jerald K. Sumida of Maui became Hawaii’s 97th serviceman to die in Vietnam when a rocket struck Da Nang AFB on July 15. He was a 1962 Baldwin High graduate and had attended the University of Hawaii.
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