A pilot summer tutorial project and a June primary: May 31, 1968

Vol. 66, No. 22, May 31, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue

A pilot summer tutorial project led the news. The Northern California-Western Nevada district council unanimously approved it, with Jr. JACLers and seniors tutoring children in a Santa Clara County poverty pocket. Jerry Enomoto called it a case of youth and adult teamwork, and the district voted a 25-cent-per-member assessment to fund the San Jose chapter’s tutorial program for Mexican American preschoolers. The front page also backed Senator Thomas Kuchel in the California primary, and Mike M. Masaoka made the case on page 4. Philip Hayasaka reported on equal housing rules in Washington State and Seattle.

Elsewhere in this eight-page issue, Jeffrey Matsui argued for studying the full history of Japanese Americans, Alan Kumamoto wrote about Sansei students, and Dr. Harry Kitano spoke on cultural pluralism. Readers will also find a Nisei furniture designer’s Tokyo exhibition, a profile of boxer Paul Fujii, and chapter news from Contra Costa, Oakland, Omaha and Cleveland. Plans for the 1970 JACL convention in Chicago are announced on the last page.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Tutorial Service, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The NCWNDC unanimously approved a pilot summer tutorial project in a Santa Clara County poverty pocket, staffed by Jr. JACLers and seniors with JACL funding. The editorial argues the project shows youth and adult teamwork and that civil rights includes giving disadvantaged youngsters a chance to catch up in education.
• Fr. Tibesar Recalls Japanese American Wartime Experience, page 1. Father Leopold Tibesar, former pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, spoke to the Seattle JACL about Japan and wartime events. He recalled advising Japanese Americans to prove their loyalty and described postwar resettlement efforts.
• More Lights Needed to Combat Nihonmachi Crime, page 1. San Francisco promised stronger street lighting on Buchanan, Post and Bush Streets to reduce robbery and mugging in the Nihonmachi area. Merchants in the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center were advised to keep stores lit after hours.
• NC-WNDC Pledges Financial Aid to San Jose Tutorial Program, page 1. At its quarterly meeting, the Northern California-Western Nevada JACL District Council endorsed a San Jose chapter tutorial project for Mexican American preschoolers and voted a 25-cent-per-member assessment to fund it. The district called on other chapters to develop similar civil rights projects.
• Contra Costa Soph Wins DC Oratorical Contest, page 1. Kathie Abe, a 16-year-old El Cerrito high school sophomore, won the NC-WNDC oratorical contest and will represent the district at the national convention in San Jose. Marvin Sakakihara and Lawrence Yano placed second and third.
• Inagaki Fete Announced, page 1. Co-chairmen were named for the George Inagaki Testimonial in several regions, including Akiji Yoshimura for NC-WND and Thomas Hayashi for the East. Bill Matsumoto was named co-chairman for the Sacramento committee.
• Cultural Pluralism Fits America Better Than Melting Pot Idea, by Yas Abiko, page 1. UCLA sociologist Dr. Harry Kitano told the NC-WNDC dinner that America is a collection of sub-cultures rather than a melting pot. He argued that sub-cultures like the Jews and Japanese Americans are beneficial and that prejudice and discrimination must be distinguished.
• Hayasaka – Seattle Passes Equal Housing Ordinance, by Philip Hayasaka, page 2. Seattle’s Ordinance 96019 prohibits housing discrimination and was passed unanimously by the City Council. The article describes the complaint and penalty procedures under the ordinance.
• Oakland JACL Holds Three Seminars on Human Relations, page 6. Oakland JACL held three weekly seminars on civil rights and human relations, covering segregationist and integrationist views, police and riot control, and student activism. Each session included a guest speaker and discussion.
• Cleveland Scholarship Award Dinner June 15, page 6. The Cleveland JACL scholarship award dinner will be held June 15, with winners announced at the event. The school board president is the main speaker.
• Meiji Era Authority Includes Okei Story in Book, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Waseda University professor Dr. Ki Kimura plans to include the story of Okei, a Japanese immigrant woman who died in California in the 1870s, in his book on the Meiji Era. The article recounts Okei’s history and her grave near Placerville.
• Japanese in Brazil Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Immigration, page 7. Japanese communities in Brazil are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants’ arrival, with events culminating in a reception on June 22. The Japanese population in Brazil now numbers about 600,000.
• Eden Township Slates Bazaar June 15-16, page 7. The Eden Township JACL will hold its fifth annual benefit bazaar at the Eden Japanese Community Center on June 15-16 to support the center. Co-chairmen Jim Sakai and Fred Miyamoto are organizing the event.
• Hawaiians to Vote for Constitutional Convention Delegates, by Allan Beekman, page 8. Hawaii voters will elect delegates to a constitutional convention prompted mainly by state reapportionment, and the convention may consider changes to school control, legislative structure, and voting age. The article explains the issues and the stakes of ratification.
• Mid-Columbia to Honor Graduates June 15, page 8. The Mid-Columbia JACL will honor its largest group of graduates at a June 15 banquet in Hood River. Joan Yasui will be the main speaker.
• San Mateo JACL Events for June Scheduled, page 8. San Mateo JACL announced a June 1 benefit movie night and a June 9 community picnic at Boysville. Community churches and the Gardeners Association are co-sponsoring the picnic.

Commentary

• Nisei for Kuchel, page 1. The writer, a Democrat, urges support for Senator Thomas Kuchel in the California primary, praising his moderate leadership and record on human rights. The editorial contends Kuchel’s experience and cooperation with Japanese Americans make his re-election important.
• Forgotten Issei, by Roger Nikaido, page 2. The column honors the Issei for their sacrifices and argues that JACL should recognize them more meaningfully than through dinners and gifts. It proposes a JACL-sponsored Japanese-style retirement home where Issei can live meaningful lives in a familiar setting.
• Thousand Club Notes: The Race Is On, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 2. The column urges each district to recruit two new 1000 Club members per chapter before the Memorial Day deadline or face a humorous penalty. It encourages chapter 1000 Club chairmen to meet their district quotas.
• Sounding Board: History Study, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 3. Matsui argues that Nisei should not dwell on wartime stories but should study the full history of Japanese Americans beginning in 1868. He warns that the community’s welfare as a visible minority can change with economic and political forces.
• Change If You Make It, by Alan Kumamoto, page 3. Kumamoto reports on a Long Beach gathering of Sansei discussing forming a Japanese American student group at a local state college. He urges Sansei to think for themselves and become involved rather than conform to white values.
• Cool Cat, by Dennis Machida, page 3. Machida reports on the 20th annual National Civil Liberties Clearing House conference, summarizing sessions on dissent, race relations, and the 1968 election. He reflects on the need for Japanese Americans to confront their own racism, especially regarding intermarriage.
• Hit Tune Catches On, by Eto, page 3. The column promotes San Jose as the convention site and shares convention youth rates and events. It also outlines the registration committee and upcoming youth activities for the national convention.
• Shindlers Strike Again, page 3. JACL Shindler clowns entertained young patients at Dayton hospitals on Halloween. The brief describes the visit as an entertaining event for children.
• Gangstas Need Accent on Youth, page 3. A column in the Accent on Youth section discusses youth issues and the Sansei perspective. It encourages young people to speak their minds.
• Letters: Inagaki Testimonial, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 4. Former national president Kumeo Yoshinari supports creating a fund to award a biennial cash prize to the Chapter of the Biennium in honor of George Inagaki. He suggests raising $10,000 to perpetuate the awards.
• Supporter of JACL, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 4. Washington JACL representative Mike Masaoka urges Californians of Japanese ancestry to vote for Senator Thomas Kuchel in the June 4 primary. He catalogs Kuchel’s record of support for civil rights, Japan relations, and JACL objectives.
• Present-Day Pulse, by Genie McCreary, page 4. A Sacramento teacher workshop requests reprints of Jeffrey Matsui’s Sounding Board column for use in an intergroup relations program. The letter reflects interest in present-day Japanese American perspectives on civil rights.
• East Wind: Sansei Assertions of Acceptance, page 4. The writer examines Sansei claims that they are fully accepted in American society and questions whether such statements reflect true equality. The column argues that comparisons to white standards reveal an underlying sense of inferiority.
• 11,500 Japanese in San Francisco Today, page 6. A local public health survey estimated the San Francisco Japanese population at 11,500 in 1967. The brief notes growth trends among other minority groups.

National

• Washington State Boosted Equal Housing Opportunities, by Philip Hayasaka, page 1. Washington State adopted anti-discrimination standards for licensed real estate agents, and Seattle passed an ordinance prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin. The article outlines the complaint procedure through the Seattle Human Rights Commission and the penalties available.
• Inouye Warns of Long, Difficult Paris Meetings, page 2. Senator Daniel Inouye told a Honolulu audience that the Paris talks with North Vietnam will be long and drawn out, and that bloodshed will continue during negotiations. He drew parallels to the Korean cease-fire talks and the Geneva Conference on Laos.
• New Threats to Civil Rights Seen in Safe Streets and Crime Control Bill, page 6. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, of which JACL is a member, opposes Senate Bill 917, which it says threatens civil rights. The bill would allow wiretapping without court orders and restrict habeas corpus review.

JACL

• 1969 EDC-MDC Joint Convention Site Named, page 1. The Dayton and Cincinnati chapters will co-host the 1969 EDC-MDC joint convention at the Netherland Hilton in Cincinnati, July 3-6. Co-chairmen Ray Jenkins and Bob Sand invite interested persons to join the mailing list.
• Contra Costa Acclaimed NC-WN Chapter of Year, page 1. Contra Costa JACL was named the NC-WNDC Chapter of the Year for 1967, with Sonoma County, Alameda, and Stockton also honored. Chapter president Don Matsubara received the gavel award.
• Undergraduate JACL Scholarship Entries Due, page 6. Chapters have until June 14 to nominate one candidate each for the National Undergraduate Scholarships. The awards include several named scholarships, with final judging in Omaha in July.
• Omaha Re-Elects Okada President, page 8. Noriaki Okada was re-elected to a two-year term as president of the Omaha JACL chapter at its May installation. The event also honored mothers and presented service pins.
• 1970 JACL Convention Plans Unwrapped, page 8. The 1970 JACL national convention has tentatively been set for July 14-18 at the Palmer House in Chicago. Hiro Mayeda will serve as general chairman.

Incarceration & Redress

• TV Writer Still Complains of JACL Protest, page 1. Hollywood writer David Rintels admitted an error about a Nisei traitor but still criticized JACL pressure that led to withdrawal of a Kawakita-based drama. JACL Associate Director Jeffrey Matsui had called Rintels irresponsible and argued that one Nisei’s actions affect the whole community’s image.

Arts & Entertainment

• Furniture Designer Charms Japanese, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Nisei furniture designer George Nakashima held an exhibition in Tokyo that drew praise from Japanese interior decorators and critics. The article describes his handcrafted wood pieces and their prices.

Military & Veterans

• Yamato Damashii Catapults Paul Fujii to Boxing Stardom, by Allan Beekman, page 7. Junior welterweight boxing champion Paul Takeshi Fujii, a Honolulu-born former Marine, attributes his success to the spirit of Yamato. The article traces his rise, his title victories in Japan, and his popularity there.

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