Preparing JACL’s policy for the 1968 San Jose convention

Vol. 67, No. 3, July 19, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

Preparations for the 1968 national convention in San Jose ran through this six-page issue. An ad hoc committee of district governors, chaired by Dr. Warren Watanabe, proposed revisions to the JACL Policy Statement to state more clearly the organization’s concern for the civil rights of all minorities. Mike Masaoka wrote that the convention could be among the most critical in JACL history, and Jerry Enomoto described a weekend among Arizona members. Four finalists for Nisei of the Biennium were named: William Marutani, Norman Mineta, Dr. Thomas Noguchi and Bishop Kenryu Takashi Tsuji.

Other pages include Phil Hayasaka on equality for Nisei, Bill Hosokawa’s two columns, and Berry Suzukida’s reply on Chief Justice Warren and the wartime Evacuation. Local news covers Seattle postal exam classes, the George Inagaki testimonial fund, a Sacramento school workshop and the 1000 Club’s total of 1,900 members. Jim Henry’s profile of Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi is on page 4.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Arizona Weekend, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto recounts a weekend trip to Phoenix, Arizona for a family wedding and the JACL members he met there. He also describes a visit to a Los Angeles interfaith council discussion and a talk session with a multi-racial social action group.
• PNWDC Paper on Civil Rights, by Phil Hayasaka, page 1. Pacific Northwest District Council civil rights chairman Phil Hayasaka argues that Nisei have not yet achieved full equality in social acceptance, employment, and housing. He contends that the favorable postwar image of Japan has helped Nisei gain acceptance and urges JACL to press for individual merit over group-based judgment.
• National JACL Convention Challenges, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Washington representative Mike Masaoka argues the 1968 San Jose national convention may be among the most critical in JACL history. He urges JACL to expand beyond its narrow self-serving focus toward broader social justice and economic opportunity work, including involvement with disadvantaged groups.
• A Matter of Custom, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Columnist Bill Hosokawa observes from a Japanese broadcasting report that traditional bowing customs are declining in modern Japan. He notes that Issei opinions about Japan often reflect outdated images of the country they left decades ago.
• Astral Projection, or Going Places Without One’s Body, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reports on a Nisei woman, Mia Yamaoka of New York, described in a book on extrasensory perception as able to project herself to Los Angeles while her body remained in New York. He asks readers whether Nisei hold beliefs in ghosts and reincarnation similar to their Issei parents.
• Warren and Evacuation, by Berry Suzukida, page 6. Chicago JACLer Berry Suzukida responds to a prior column urging Chief Justice Warren to apologize for his role in the wartime Evacuation. He argues Warren has redeemed himself through his civil rights record and calls for the Supreme Court to rule the Evacuation illegal.
• Inagaki Testimonial, by Mason A. Johnston, page 6. Former Sacramento high school teacher Mason Johnston praises George Inagaki for his leadership, military service, and dignified advocacy for equal citizenship. He argues the minority group concept should be dropped from American language in favor of mutual respect.
• Against Gun Control, by Vernon T. Yoshioka, page 6. San Diego JACL member Vernon Yoshioka opposes federal gun registration and licensing, arguing such measures burden law-abiding citizens without reducing crime. He points to New York City’s rising crime rate and urges stronger enforcement of existing laws against criminals instead.
• Contemporary Problems, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. JACL youth columnist Alan Kumamoto challenges JACL to address urban and social problems more vigorously, questioning whether the organization acts on its ideals or merely talks. He calls on members to examine their commitment to equality and to engage with the urban crisis.
• Service to Servicemen, by Yosh Hotta, page 6. Yosh Hotta urges Junior JACL chapters to correspond with Sansei serving in Vietnam, noting the personal toll of the war on young Americans and their families. He suggests chapter adoption programs to keep in touch with those overseas.
• Travel, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. A reflective travel piece recalls the 1968 unrest and curfews in the city, drawing a comparison to the atmosphere before the wartime Evacuation 25 years earlier. The writer recounts boarding a bus to Monterey and observing JACL-JACL fellowship members.

Community

• Seattle JACL Human Relations Group Conducts Postal Supervision Classes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Seattle JACL human relations effort has launched supervisory exam preparation classes for Oriental postal employees who have long been passed over for promotion. Classes meet weekly at the Central Seattle Community Council office with postal management encouraging participation.
• Arizona Sansei Chosen Boys Nation Delegate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Greg Watanabe, class president at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, was chosen as one of two Arizona delegates to Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. He is the son of active Arizona JACL members.
• Community Work of Minnesota Nisei Mother with Deaf Earns National Post, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nami Oshima of Minneapolis was named to the national governing board of the International Parents Organization for her work raising awareness of services for hearing-impaired children. Her advocacy grew out of her own daughter’s deafness from meningitis.
• Reno JACL to Improve Gannen-Mono Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Reno JACL approved plans to relocate the gravesite of Wme. Takahashi, whose tombstone marks her as the first Japanese to land in the U.S. in 1867, to a permanent perpetual-care cemetery. The tombstone is currently held at UCLA by the Japanese American Research Project.
• Inagaki Fund Now $6,324; Letters for Album Due, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The George Inagaki testimonial fund reached $6,324 with contributions from several groups and individuals. Letters for the bound testimonial album are due July 31, and the fund will support a $500 award for the outstanding chapter of the biennium.
• Toru Sakahara Heads Housing Advisory Board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle attorney Toru Sakahara was elected chairman of the Seattle Housing Advisory Board, having served as vice-chairman the previous year. The board hears appeals from citizens on decisions of the city’s code-enforcement division.
• Summer Tutorial School Opens for Young Chinese, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A summer tutorial program for elementary-aged children in Los Angeles Chinatown began July 8 under the Council of Oriental Organizations. The program teaches English and reading to Oriental and Mexican-American students struggling with the language barrier at Castelar Street Elementary.
• CCDC Prepares for 1968 Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Central California District Council moved its annual conference to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 24, at Fresno’s Hacienda Motel. Convention committees were formed, with a fashion show planned as a highlight.
• Youth Registrations Need Picking Up, by Robin Eto, page 4. Convention registration chair Jeanne urged Junior JACL members to pre-register for the San Jose convention, noting a disappointingly small response so far. A mixer featuring a jigsaw puzzle and an art festival are planned for delegates.
• Co-Existence of Many Cultures, by Ellen Nakamura, page 4. Ted Oye was installed as president of the Seabrook JACL at a dinner where Dr. Shoyu Hanayama urged Nisei to preserve and share Japanese culture as a contribution to a multicultural America. Officers for the new term were also recognized.
• Alameda Selects 4.0 GPA Prep Graduate, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Shigeki Sugiyama of Fremont was announced as the Alameda JACL candidate for a 1968 national JACL scholarship. He graduated at the top of his class at San Leandro High School with a 4.0 grade point average.

Military & Veterans

• Chicago Pastor Wants Kimigayo Abolished, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At the Ninth Oversea’s Japanese Convention in Honolulu, Rev. Kiyoshi Ishikawa of Chicago called for abolition of the revived Japanese national anthem Kimigayo as inappropriate for a democracy. A Hawaii Nisei writing in the Hawaii Times criticized the minister’s stance.
• Iwo Jima Commander Kuribayashi, by Jim Henry, page 4. Jim Henry recounts the life and final days of Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the Japanese commander on Iwo Jima who fortified the island and resisted the 1945 US invasion until his death. The article also describes the Ogasawara islanders and their postwar situation on Chichijima.

JACL

• Proposed JACL Policy Statement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The proposed revised JACL policy statement affirms the organization’s commitment to civil rights for all minorities while remaining non-partisan and non-sectarian. It frames JACL’s concern with Japanese Americans as primary but extends its aims to social justice for all Americans.
• Final Four Revealed for Nisei of the Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Recognitions Committee announced four finalists for the 1967-68 Nisei of the Biennium award: William Marutani, Norman Mineta, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, and Bishop Kenryu Takashi Tsuji. The award will be presented at the San Jose convention banquet on August 24.
• Minor Changes Proposed for Updating JACL Policy Statement, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An ad hoc committee of district governors, chaired by Dr. Warren Watanabe, proposes revisions to the JACL Policy Statement, Preamble, and Constitution to more clearly express concern for civil rights of all minorities. The changes will be considered by delegates at the San Jose convention.
• Thousand Club Current Total at 1,900, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL 1000 Club stood at 1,900 active members, just short of its goal of 2,000 by the San Jose convention. Chairman Dr. Frank Sakamoto called on district chairmen to renew lapsed members and recruit new ones.
• Enomoto Keynotes Intergroup Session of Sac’to Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto opened a 19-day Sacramento City Unified School District workshop on intergroup relations with a session on the history of Japanese in America. Pacific Citizen articles were used as resource material.
• JACL Collegiate Scholarship Deadline Extended to July 31, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL collegiate scholarship program, funded by Sumitomo Bank of California, extended its chapter nomination deadline to July 31. Candidates must have completed at least one year of college and be nominated by a chapter.

National

• Immigration Plank for Political Party Conventions Given, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The American Immigration and Citizenship Conference, of which JACL is a member, urged the platform committees of both major parties to adopt immigration planks that protect family unity and humanitarian objectives. The statement followed the July 1 operative date of the 1965 Immigration Act.

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