Vietnam, open housing and JACL’s direction in early 1968

Vol. 66, No. 4, January 26, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue

National JACL President Jerry Enomoto answered a Vietnam War critique by Dr. William Shinto on the front page, saying he would not call himself a hawk or a dove and that JACL must start from where its members are. Mike Masaoka looked at President Johnson’s State of the Union message and argued for a stronger JACL voice in public affairs. Bill Hosokawa wrote on what a church, and a Denver JACL chapter, must do to stay relevant.

Page 5 turned to housing. Don Hayashi, Elmer Ogawa, Yosh Hayasaka and realtor Elliott N. Couden wrote about segregation and fair housing, and Patti Dohzen described a human relations conference. Elsewhere, the National JACL Credit Union marked its 25th year, Phil Jordan profiled a San Jose Sansei serving in Vietnam, and Dr. Tom Taketa previewed the 20th Biennial National JACL Convention in San Jose.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• The Real World?!, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto responds to Dr. William Shinto’s Vietnam War critique, rejecting labels of hawk or dove while condemning draft card burning and violence as unacceptable means of dissent. He argues JACL must begin from where it is rather than adopt positions beyond its membership’s readiness.
• State of the Union Message, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews President Johnson’s 1968 State of the Union message, noting its emphasis on Vietnam, domestic programs, and civil rights legislation. He argues JACL should take a stronger role in national public affairs and develop a consensus among Japanese Americans on major issues.
• The Contemporary Church, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reports on a sermon by Dr. Harry Komuro urging churches to engage with social and political injustice rather than remain bound by ritual. He draws a parallel to the JACL chapter in Denver, which also needs to find a relevant purpose to survive.
• Our Readers: Tassajara Hot Springs, by Vaughn M. Greene, page 4. Greene describes the Zen Center’s effort to acquire Tassajara Hot Springs as a monastery site in Los Padres National Forest and urges support for raising the over $220,000 needed. He calls the preservation of this natural site a worthy cause.
• Youth Speaks: Attitudes Need Revision, by Don Hayashi, page 5. Hayashi examines housing segregation in Portland, particularly in the Albina area, and argues that both voluntary and imposed de facto segregation persist. He calls for public support for open housing and expanded community opportunities.
• Referendum 35, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. Ogawa discusses confusion around Seattle’s fair housing laws through the case of a Negro educator unable to rent an apartment. He connects the case to Referendum 35 on the November ballot, which would cancel state penalties against discriminating real estate agents.
• Human Rights: A Realtor Looks at Housing Issue, by Yosh Hayasaka, page 5. Seattle realtor Elliott Couden’s Senate testimony examines why real estate professionals perpetuate segregated housing. He argues that fair housing laws stabilize property values and that realtor codes and appraisal practices historically reinforced discrimination.
• Talking Out Your Prejudices, by Patti Dohzen, page 5. Jr. JACLer Patti Dohzen describes how a human relations conference at Camp Hess Kramer helped her confront personal prejudices. Through group discussion she came to see fellow participants as individuals rather than stereotypes.
• A Realtor Looks at Housing Issue, by Elliott N. Couden, page 5. Couden testifies before a Senate subcommittee that realtors and appraisal manuals have historically reinforced segregated housing. He supports the federal Fair Housing Act of 1967.
• West Wind: Jan Ken Po, by Yosh Hotta, page 6. Hotta reflects on aging and on the value of JACL functions, noting that prominent officials such as Congressman Jerome Waldie and Governor Daniel Evans attend them. He encourages members to participate actively in chapter life.
• Japanese Unique, Dramatic, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 6. A California Senate resolution commends JACL, UCLA, and the Carnegie Corporation for the Japanese American Research Project. The resolution recognizes the unique and dramatic history of Americans of Japanese ancestry.
• Book Review: Japan’s Decisive Century, by Allan Beekman, page 7. Beekman reviews Shigeru Yoshida’s book on Japan’s modern history, from the Meiji era through militarism and the postwar recovery. Yoshida argues that Japan’s rapid transformation was achieved within little more than two decades.
• Immigration: Is a Foreign Physician Under 35 Liable to the Draft?, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A reader asks whether a foreign physician who is a lawful permanent resident under age 35 is subject to the draft. The answer explains the 1967 amendment to the Universal Military Service Act and the options available.

Community

• National JACL Credit Union Marks 25th Year, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Credit Union will recognize its incorporators and charter members at its 25th anniversary dinner-meeting on January 27 at the Ramada Inn in Salt Lake City. The event also includes a business meeting to elect directors and credit committee members.
• Sumitomo Bank Official Calls Police in Nihongo to Capture Suspect Forger, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert Kikuchi, an operations officer at the Sumitomo Bank in Li’l Tokio, detained a wanted forger by stalling the transaction and alerting police. The suspect, Charles Williams, was arrested after attempting to cash a fraudulent deposit.
• Washington State’s Nisei Student Body President Hopes Critique Starts Trend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Steve Kikuchi, president of the associated students at Washington State University, helped publish a critique of 225 undergraduate courses. He hopes the book will shift emphasis from research toward good teaching.
• Nonwhites to Swarm S.F. Schools Soon, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Stanford Research Institute study projects that by 1971 two-thirds of San Francisco public school students will belong to minority groups. The findings are based on current demographic trends in major American cities.
• Denver Co-ed May Be First Sansei to Study in Japan for Buddhist Priesthood, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Eileen Fujino of Denver attends weekly lectures at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley while pursuing an English degree. She plans to study at Ryukoku Buddhist University in Kyoto to become a priestess.
• San Fernando JACL Christmas Frolic, by Sue Ogimachi, page 8. Over 150 members of the San Fernando Valley JACL gathered for a holiday banquet and party featuring entertainment, games, and a visit from Santa. Scholarship awards were presented to outstanding local young people.
• Japanese Silk Fabrics on Special Display in S.F., by P.C. Staff, page 8. The City of Paris store in San Francisco hosts a week-long display of Japanese silk fabrics in cooperation with the Japan Silk Association. Custom silk dresses will be modeled on January 27.

JACL

• Enomoto Addressing Twin Cities Inaugural, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto will speak at the Twin Cities JACL installation dinner on January 27 at the Hopkins House. MDC Governor Henry Tanaka of Cleveland will also attend as a special guest.
• Jerry Enomoto: A Christmastide Message, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto reports on JACL’s improved membership and financial position, citing new public relations materials, the JACL-JAL fellowship, and the Issei History Project. He calls on chapters to renew commitment and action, particularly in engaging youth and addressing social issues.
• JACL-JAL Summer Fellowship Applicant Should Ask Chapter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Applications for the 1968 JACL-JAL summer fellowships in Japanese history and culture at Sophia University are available through JACL chapters. Four fellowships include round-trip airfare, tuition, room and board, and educational travel in Japan.
• NC-WNDC Workshop to Suggest Human Rights at Grass-Root Level, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The NC-WNDC district council announced a workshop focused on JACL participation in community affairs and grassroots human relations. The session will also cover the cultural heritage program and the district’s oratorical and essay contests.
• Santa Barbara JACL Installs George Ohashi as President, by Mike Hide, page 8. George Ohashi was installed as president of the Santa Barbara JACL chapter with Dr. Charlotte Emlott serving as installing officer. Other chapter officers and the Jr. JACL slate were also installed.
• 20th Biennial Confab Doings: We Try Harder, by Dr. Tom Taketa, page 8. Dr. Tom Taketa previews the 20th Biennial National JACL Convention in San Jose, describing convention headquarters, youth facilities, and planned services for delegates. He asks that all convention programming be coordinated through the convention board.
• Past Presidents of S.F. JACL Credit Union to Be Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The San Francisco JACL Credit Union marks its 20th anniversary at a dinner on January 27 at the Park Presidio YMCA. Total assets exceeded $431,000 and the credit union has 463 members.

Military & Veterans

• San Jose Sansei in Vietnam Campaign, by Phil Jordan, page 1. Allen T. Kawabata, a 20-year-old San Jose Nisei, serves as a gunner’s mate on a U.S. Navy river craft in the Rung Sat region of Vietnam. The article describes the makeshift river fleet and the young sailor’s outlook on his service.

National

• Japan Ambassador to United Nations to Address JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Senjin Tsuruoka will speak at the New York JACL installation dinner on topics of interest to Japanese Americans, including the Meiji Centennial. The dinner is tentatively set for March 2 in New York City.

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