Ahead of the San Jose convention: JACL’s hot issues, 1968

Vol. 67, No. 5, August 2, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The 20th Biennial JACL Convention in San Jose was the subject running through this six-page issue. National President Jerry Enomoto previewed the controversial topics on the table, including Vietnam, the draft, civil disobedience and the Internal Security Act detention camp clause. Mike Masaoka explained that clause in his Washington Newsletter, and Alice Kasai set out the Intermountain District Council’s view of JACL’s civil rights role. Henry Kanegae and Yone Satoda wrote about conservative views and district quotas, and the Sacramento chapter endorsed Enomoto for re-election.

Elsewhere, the front page announced fourteen National JACL Undergraduate Scholarship winners. Nihongo-speaking college students surveyed Little Tokyo for Issei opinion, and the Nisei Week calendar listed events running August 17 to 25. A report described violence that hit Japanese, Chinese and Jewish businesses in Seattle’s Central Area. Bill Hosokawa wrote about a Denver hailstorm.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• ‘Hot issues’ facing JACL convention aired by Jerry Enomoto, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto previewed controversial topics for the San Jose convention, including Vietnam, the draft, civil disobedience, and the Internal Security Act detention camp clause. He urged JACL members to discuss these issues openly and to balance political education with partisanship.
• Pre-registration deadline extended, by PHIL MATSUMURA, page 1. The Convention Board extended the pre-registration deadline to August 10 for the 20th Biennial JACL Convention in San Jose. Details on package deals, individual event rates, and booster events are explained.
• Scholarship awards announced at national convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fourteen winners of National JACL Undergraduate Scholarships were announced, including Marvin Sakakihara and Nelson Nagai as top awardees. The awards were judged by a committee in Omaha chaired by Mrs. Lily Okura.
• JACL District Quota Allocations, by Yone Satoda, page 4. National Treasurer Yone Satoda proposes new district council quota allocations totaling $135,000 for the 1969-70 biennium based on past performance. The adjustments are presented as a suggested compromise open to discussion.

Commentary

• Enomoto: IDC Quarterly, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Enomoto reflects on attending the Intermountain District Council quarterly meeting in Idaho Falls and reconnecting with longtime JACL members. He notes the challenges of membership retention in areas with small Japanese American populations and praises youth involvement.
• Washington Newsletter: Detention Camp Proviso, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka explains Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, which authorized detention camps during emergencies, and clarifies that the Justice Department denied maintaining any such camps. He discusses the complexities and risks of a JACL campaign to repeal the provision.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes a sudden thunderstorm with hail that damaged his garden and peach tree in Denver. He reflects on the capricious weather of the Rocky Mountain West and the damage hail inflicts on Nisei farmers and greenhouse operators.
• Shinkichi Ukeda, serious advocate of Emperor system, hopes Imperial Household rules change, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Shinkichi Ukeda, the only Nisei member of Japan’s Diet, strongly supports the Emperor system and has proposed amending Imperial Household rules to allow the Emperor to visit foreign countries. He was born in Hawaii and has served in the House of Representatives since 1947.
• On Being Conservative, by Henry Kanegae, page 4. JACL National Third Vice-President Henry Kanegae argues that conservative JACL members can be compassionate and still support civil rights involvement. He calls on members to express their views more actively at the San Jose convention.
• On Human Rights, by Henry T. Kato, page 4. Henry Kato reports on complaints by two Minneapolis human rights delegates who were stopped by Portland police for jaywalking, and on Portland’s plans to expand school busing and hire Negro police. He discusses the city’s efforts to address racial issues.
• Racism, not Vietnam war, is main problem, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Senator Daniel Inouye stated that racism, not the Vietnam war, is the nation’s number one problem. He made the remarks at a Windward Oahu Rotary luncheon.
• Sacramento JACL endorses Jerry Enomoto for re-election, by Bill Matsumoto, page 4. The Sacramento JACL chapter endorses National President Jerry Enomoto for re-election, citing his strong leadership, improved communication with youth, and progress made during his term. The chapter urges other chapters to support him at the San Jose convention.
• Four-stool pastrami shop in Tokyo, by Jor Oyama, page 5. Jor Oyama recounts his brother’s visit from Tokyo and their trip to New York delicatessens, where his brother lamented the lack of good pastrami in Tokyo. The column also describes a Nisei acquaintance’s experiences at Columbia University and in Japan.
• A Rare Reply, by Mike Masaoka, page 6. Mike Masaoka responds to a letter criticizing his representation of Japanese textile importers while serving as Washington JACL Representative. He defends his work as consistent with promoting U.S.-Japan partnership and opposing protectionism.
• Mission Nearly Impossible, by Ken Yano, page 6. A Salt Lake JACL member describes efforts to support Raymond Uno’s campaign for Utah State Senate and to address discrimination in a local school district. The writer urges JACL members to become involved in the upcoming elections.
• Good Ol’ Days, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Alan Kumamoto reminisces about past Junior JACL leaders and activities as the national convention approaches. He recalls former chapter and district youth officers who remain active in the organization.

National

• IDC Civil Rights Position Paper, by Alice Kasai, page 1. Alice Kasai, IDC civil rights chairman, argues that JACL’s civil rights role is to help advance equal treatment for all minorities by removing barriers such as housing and job discrimination. She states that the methods of carrying out this role are for members to decide, while the objectives are clearly established.

Community

• Nihongo-speaking collegians survey Little Tokyo area for Issei opinion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese-speaking college students are conducting an eight-week survey of Little Tokyo to determine Issei opinions on community services for senior citizens. The Economic Opportunity-funded study will guide proposals for community action.
• Nisei Week calendar sports over 30 events, major attractions Aug. 17-25, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles includes over 40 events, such as a coronation ball, parade, and cultural performances. Queen candidates from several JACL chapters are competing for the Miss Nisei Week title.
• Council of Oriental Organizations receives $13,000 in antipoverty funds, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Council of Oriental Organizations received $13,000 from the Economic and Youth Opportunities Agency to survey urban problems facing Oriental communities in Los Angeles. The council includes representatives of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Korean groups.
• Violence rocks Seattle central area businesses, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Japanese, Chinese, and Jewish businesses in Seattle’s Central Area suffered rock throwing, window smashing, and looting on July 18, with damages estimated at over $16,000. The Bon Odori festival was cancelled due to the tense situation.
• Convention outing on Aug. 22 is midpoint of busy San Jose week, by PHIL MATSUMURA, page 3. The Thursday afternoon convention outing at Blackberry Farm in Cupertino will feature a barbecue dinner, baseball game, swimming, and entertainment. Golf, a youth Moonlite Bay Cruise, and other activities are also planned during convention week.
• Tea ceremony, kimono demonstrations held, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A San Francisco JACL women’s auxiliary event at the Miyako Hotel featured a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration and kimono modeling. About 25 people attended the July 14 program.

Military & Veterans

• Karen Takata wins state-wide safety poster contest, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Twelve-year-old Karen Takata of Seabrook, New Jersey, won first place in a state-wide safety poster contest. She also was a regional winner in the Singer World Stylemaker Contest.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.