Vol. 67, No. 17, October 25, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue
Jerry Enomoto, JACL’s national president, led this six-page issue with two columns. In one he described an evening and a day in Delano, California, at the invitation of the local JACL chapter, where he met town officials, growers and farm worker leaders and found the grape boycott dispute complex and sincerely argued on both sides. In the other he wrote about the controversy over a University of California course that was to feature Eldridge Cleaver. On the front page, the International District Improvement Association also laid out its Seattle redevelopment plan.
Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka looked back at the 90th Congress, including the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and announced $750 checks for the campaigns of Daniel Inouye, Spark Matsunaga and Patsy Mink. Bill Hosokawa reviewed The China Cloud, and Joe Oyama and Patti Dohzen wrote about racial slurs. Harry K. Honda wrote on Judge John Aiso’s address on language.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Delano, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto recounts his visit to Delano, California, at the invitation of the local JACL chapter to see the community beyond the grape boycott. He describes meeting town officials, growers, and union leaders, and concludes that the dispute is complex and sincerely argued on both sides.
- Eldridge Cleaver, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto discusses the controversy over a University of California course that was to feature Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver. Citing Robert Hutchins, he argues that academic freedom and faculty authority over curriculum should be protected, and that overreaction has given Cleaver undeserved publicity.
- Tokyo Rose fines sought by U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal judge permitted the government to confiscate two insurance policies of Iva Toguri D’Aquino, known as Tokyo Rose, to collect an unpaid $10,000 treason fine. The court filing had listed only $400 in assets.
- 90th Congress adjourns, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the accomplishments and failures of the Second Session of the 90th Congress, including the Civil Rights Act of 1968 with its fair housing provisions. He also notes bills that stalled, such as campaign finance reform and the Fortas nomination.
- A story of blunder, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reviews the book The China Cloud, which describes how McCarthy-era persecution drove Chinese-born American scientists such as H.S. Tsien back to China. He argues the loss was a national blunder and compares it to the wartime treatment of Nisei.
- Simple answers, by William Marutani, page 3. Marutani criticizes political slogans such as law and order and the call to just work as simple answers that ignore poverty and the Constitution. He argues that justice must accompany any enforcement of order.
- Are you involved?, by Patti Dohzen, page 4. Dohzen reflects on the reaction to Spiro Agnew’s ethnic slur and on the difficulty many young adults have in committing to action. She urges members to take sides and become involved in JACL causes.
- Politicians once had a field day with racial slur, by Joe Oyama, page 5. Oyama recalls personal experiences of being called Jap from childhood through high school and during wartime, and observes that politicians once used the slur freely. He draws a parallel to current wartime slurs against Vietnamese.
- Nisei woman, page 5. A Chicago JACL board member reflects on being a marginal Japanese American woman, comparing Japanese and American men and their attitudes toward women. She concludes with a playful choice in favor of the more domineering but generous man.
- Language is fascinating, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editorial praises Judge John Aiso’s address to Defense Language Institute graduates on the cultural and psychological dimensions of language. It connects his points to the value of Japanese language study for Japanese Americans.
- Leadership & Meeting, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 6. Matsui argues that chapter leadership style shapes member participation and outlines democratic, authoritarian, and laissez-faire approaches. He offers suggestions for keeping chapter meetings orderly and engaging.
- Issei opinion, page 6. The column reports survey results in which Issei in Los Angeles’s Little Tokyo described younger Nisei as selfish and lacking respect for elders. It challenges the assumption that Nisei always take care of their own.
Community
- International District Improvement Assn. outlines Seattle redevelopment plan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The International District Improvement Association in Seattle presented its three-month planning progress, identifying housing upgrades, open space, a community center, business support, and parking as priorities. Royal McClure explained the federal Model Cities program that funds the effort.
Incarceration & Redress
- Officer Murakami Trust Fund receives over $3,000 from some 170 donors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Officer Murakami Trust Fund for the young son of slain Sansei policeman Gary Murakami has raised over $3,000 from about 170 donors. The coordinating committee listed contributors and explained how to give.
Military & Veterans
- Checks of mainland campaign to re-elect Nisei congressmen sent, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Mike Masaoka announced $750 checks to the campaigns of Sen. Daniel Inouye and Reps. Spark Matsunaga and Patsy Mink as the first mainland contributions toward their re-election. He argued that moderate Nisei voices in Congress are vital in the coming conservative climate.
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