JACL’s civil rights role and the road to the 1968 San Jose convention

Vol. 66, No. 7, February 16, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The place of civil rights in JACL’s work ran through this six-page issue. Justice Stephen Tamura told the Orange County chapter that JACL must take stronger positions on human relations or begin to disintegrate. Harry Honda reported on the questions facing the San Jose national convention, and Jerry Enomoto praised Washington Representative Mike Masaoka in his column. Roger Nikaido’s Washington Newsletter urged the Senate to pass the Civil Rights Protection Act with fair housing added. The Chicago chapter backed a school bussing plan, and Chizu Iiyama challenged NC-WNDC delegates on practical involvement.

Other items cover a JACL Scholarship Foundation study committee led by Jerry Iwata and the JACL-JAL summer fellowship group, set to leave July 9. The youth page profiles David Takashima, and Masao W. Satow reported on a month of chapter installations. Phil Matsumura described plans to honor Meiji-era Issei in August.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Our Mike, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto praises Washington Representative Mike Masaoka for his creativity, knowledge, and years of service to the Nisei. He recounts a busy stopover in which Masaoka met with JACL leaders, spoke with San Jose officials, and joined Bill Hosokawa and Sab Kido in L.A. to record history.
• Civil Rights Bill, by Roger Nikaido, page 2. The Washington Newsletter urges the Senate to pass the Civil Rights Protection Act while adding fair housing and EEOC strengthening measures. The author argues that without these additions, Japanese Americans would still lack equal access to housing and employment.
• The Advisor (Part 3), page 4. This installment of the Junior JACL youth manual describes the role of the adult advisor, including teacher, friend, and counselor functions. It stresses that the advisor should guide rather than direct the group and keep communication open.
• West Wind: Cultural Center, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Yosh Hotta reflects on the Japan Cultural Center in San Francisco as it opens gradually and suggests JACL needs rooms for member discussion. He notes the Nisei contributed little to building the Center.
• Mad Morality, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. A parent objected to an article in the Tenth Annual Mad Magazine edition, prompting this review of the publication’s humor. The column cites a theologian who argued Mad’s moral satire is stronger than many church publications.
• Sounding Board: Kauai vs. Maui, by Gima, page 4. A Kauai-born JACL member donated filing cabinets to the Southern California JACL office and personally delivered them. The columnist uses the episode to note that rivalry between the islands has faded on the Mainland.
• Junior JACL district youth council report, by David Takashima, page 5. PSWDYC co-chairman David Takashima introduces the district youth council, its membership, and its officers. He outlines plans for a human relations conference, a service project, and a bowling tournament.
• Japan’s Democratic Press, by Jim Henry, page 5. Jim Henry describes the high readership and independence of Japan’s newspapers, including their use of advanced newsgathering technology. He argues that the press has used its postwar freedom vigorously and responsibly.
• Two major events, by Richard Gima, page 5. Richard Gima reports on a Hawaii task force recommendation to commemorate the 75th anniversary of statehood and the 10th anniversary of statehood. He also covers other Hawaii news including appointments and business moves.
• Economic crash in Japan possible due to boost brought on by Vietnam war, page 5. University of Tokyo president Kazuo Okochi warns that the Vietnam war boom may lead Japan into depression and radical socialist movements. He notes the university’s rejection of Defense Department research grants.
• Youth Page: Junior JACL news and David Takashima profile, by Misako Hasebe, page 5. The youth page profiles David Takashima, PSWDYC co-chairman, and reports on National Council activities. It describes the School-to-School project and Norman Ishimoto’s progress.
• Editor’s Desk: Chapter No. 100, page 6. The editorial reflects on the eight JACL chapters lost in the past 20 years and the pride in Riverside becoming the 91st chapter. It urges urban chapters to consider decentralization to spread workload and leadership.
• Director’s Report, by Masao W. Satow, page 6. Masao Satow recounts a month of chapter installations across Colorado, Washington, Utah, California, and Nevada. He reports on Seattle’s community role and Berkeley’s JACL and Jr. JACL installations.
• Our Sansei First, by Amy Kawaoka, page 6. A reader responds to Clifford Uyeda’s comments challenging Frank Chuman’s priorities, arguing that Japanese Americans should help their own community first. She suggests the Sansei have been overlooked in favor of outside causes.
• Meiji Centennial and Issei testimonial proposal, by Phil Matsumura, page 6. The San Jose Convention Board proposes honoring Meiji-era Issei at local chapter testimonials on August 17, 1968, as a prelude to the convention. The board has abandoned the idea of a national testimonial at the convention due to cost and logistics.

JACL

• JACL must bolster its rights stand or quit, page 1. Justice Stephen Tamura challenged JACL at the Orange County chapter installation to take stronger positions on human relations or start disintegrating. He urged the organization to extend a helping hand to other minorities as its members become better Americans.
• Major JACL issues for ’68 confab posed at Riverside, by Harry Honda, page 1. Jerry Enomoto outlined key questions for the San Jose national convention, including use of the endowment fund, constitutional revisions, and whether to plan a JACL building. He urged JACL to become more involved in human rights while moving carefully on its own terms.
• JACL-JAL fellowship group to leave July 9, page 1. The JACL-JAL summer fellowship winners will depart San Francisco and New York on July 9 for a Sophia University semester in Tokyo. Application forms for the 1968 fellowship are available from JACL chapters with a March deadline.

National

• JACL Scholarship Foundation study committee organized, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto announced a study committee chaired by Jerry Iwata to evaluate scholarship guidelines and explore how a foundation could be financed and organized. The committee will report to the National Board at the national convention in San Jose this summer.

Community

• West L.A. women’s aux’y slates events, page 1. The West Los Angeles JACL Women’s Auxiliary scheduled monthly programs through May, including a crest talk, cooking demonstration, cancer drive, and dinner meeting. The auxiliary also netted $500 from its Holiday Fun Fair for the chapter scholarship fund.
• Become better acquainted with civic officials, Downtown L.A. JACLers urged, page 1. At the Downtown L.A. JACL installation, Frank Chuman urged members to build relationships with civic officials and engage in community activities near Civic Center. He outlined five points to make JACL a visible part of the mainstream.
• JACLers join Selma Congress to air community problems, LSD and youth, page 1. Selma JACL members took part in a Congress for Community Progress that addressed drug concerns, economic development, recreation, and youth issues. Discussions on drugs stalled for lack of information, and the job of forming an education committee was passed to the high school parents club.
• Fred Hoshiyama moves to Los Angeles to take up Pacific Southwest Y post, page 1. Fred Y. Hoshiyama, longtime San Francisco YMCA executive, is relocating to Los Angeles as associate executive of the Pacific Southwest Area Council. He was honored at a farewell dinner recognizing his community service, including work with the Western Addition Community Organization.
• NC-WN health plan opens enrollment during February, by John Masumoto, page 1. The JACL-California Blue Shield Health Plan opens enrollment in February regardless of past medical history. Chairman John Masumoto urged chapters to push for the 200-member quota, noting the plan’s cost advantage over individual coverage.
• Chicago JACL backs school bussing plan, page 2. The Chicago Board of Education moved to bus students from overcrowded predominantly Negro schools to less crowded schools to achieve racial balance. The Chicago JACL Chapter Board voted to support the plan and sent telegrams to school officials.
• New city includes Nisei councilman, page 2. Sakae Yamamoto, a trailer operator born in Vashon Island, Washington, won a seat on the new Carson city council in the Feb. 6 election. It was his first venture into public life.
• History Project staff to speak Feb. 24 at San Gabriel Valley, page 2. The San Gabriel Valley JACL will host a program featuring History Project staff on Feb. 24. The event is part of the chapter’s efforts to share the Japanese American history project with the community.
• Civil rights and Chizu Iiyama provoke NC-WNDC discussion, page 4. At the NC-WNDC meeting in Marysville, Chizu Iiyama challenged delegates on human relations and practical involvement. Her talk sparked lively debate on the community’s responsibility to protect rights.
• Dr. Teshima elected for 7th time as Chicago JACL credit union president, page 4. Dr. Teshima was re-elected to a seventh term as president of the Chicago JACL Credit Union. The credit union’s conversion to federal charter was also discussed.
• Arizona JACL events for 1968 outlined, page 4. The Arizona JACL calendar for 1968 lists seven events including a scholarship award banquet, a spring picnic, and a New Year’s Eve dinner-dance. Scholarship applications are available from Helen Tanita in Phoenix.

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