Vol. 67, No. 16, October 18, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue
JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote two pieces on the front page, one praising the credit union movement on the 25th anniversary of the National JACL Credit Union and one on the “law and order” talk of the 1968 election. Paul Yamamoto and Ray Okamura were named national co-chairmen of JACL’s campaign to repeal or amend the Emergency Detention Act of 1950. Harry Honda reported that fourteen Little Tokyo organizations had endorsed a block-by-block redevelopment plan. Joe Grant Masaoka reported the death of Francis Biddle, who believed the wartime evacuation was unconstitutional.
Other items: JACL’s “Please Don’t” leaflets reached a San Francisco supervisor who had used a racial slur, and Don Hayashi asked whether slurs were the only thing that moved JACL into politics. Allan Beekman covered the Hawaii primary. Also inside are a youth column by Patti Dohzen, a profile of bowler Helen Shima, and a letter from Karl G. Yoneda on early Issei labor unions.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Big Ally, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto praises the credit union movement and the 25th anniversary of the National JACL Credit Union. He urges members to consider the Credit Union for loans and savings.
Commentary
- Law & Order, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto argues that the ‘law and order’ rhetoric of the 1968 election ignores the need for justice and examines how middle-class Americans and elected leaders contribute to disrespect for law. He calls for self-examination on race, policing, and school desegregation.
- Milder Approach to Little Tokyo Redevelopment Endorsed by Community Organizations, by Harry Honda, page 1. Fourteen Little Tokyo community organizations endorsed the Neighborhood Development Program, a block-by-block redevelopment approach. The Community Redevelopment Agency and LTRA president Akira Kawasaki describe the plan’s goals and process.
- Hawaii Election Seen Fought for Nisei Congressmen, by Special to The Pacific Citizen, page 1. The Committee to Re-elect Nisei Congressmen urges contributions to support Sen. Inouye and Reps. Matsunaga and Mink in the November general election. Mike Masaoka notes low turnout and cross-party voting may affect outcomes.
- Is Racial Slur Only Way JACL Gets Feet Wet in Politics?, by Don Hayashi, page 4. Hayashi criticizes JACL for responding only to ethnic slurs rather than engaging with political issues. He urges chapters and National to take positions on issues, support candidates regardless of race, and encourage members to participate in government.
- Youth Speaks: Red Power Discovered by Fujihira, by Toge Fujihira, page 4. Fujihira’s article on militant American Indians and the emerging ‘Red Power’ movement is summarized, describing young Indian leaders’ frustration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The piece notes a new generation determined to defend Indian rights.
- I Am Married to an American Citizen. How Soon Can I Be Naturalized?, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An immigration Q&A explains that spouses of American citizens may naturalize after three years of residence and marriage. A second item addresses how a person who voted in a foreign election can reestablish citizenship.
- Inside Facts of Global League Fold, by George Yoshinaga, page 5. Yoshinaga, a guest columnist, defends the planned Global Baseball League against critics and explains its player recruitment and organizational structure. He says organized baseball has approved use of stadiums for the new league.
- Paraphernalia, by Ye Ed, page 6. A column praising Lansdale-style programs and reflecting on the nature of community life. The column rounds out the Pacific Citizen’s editorial commentary.
- Letters: Issei Labor History, by Karl G. Yoneda, page 8. Historian Karl Yoneda corrects claims about early Japanese farm labor unions, describing the 1892 Vacaville union and the 1903 Oxnard union. He notes AFL president Gompers’ exclusion policy and Japanese militancy in Fresno in 1908.
- Roger’s Dodgers, by Roger Nikaido, page 8. Nikaido comments on the New Left and the youth movement’s challenge to American political institutions, and reflects on a personal decision to quit smoking. He also satirizes computer dating and other trends.
Incarceration & Redress
- JACL Steps Up Campaign on Detention Camps, by Special to The Pacific Citizen, page 1. Paul Yamamoto and Ray Okamura are appointed national co-chairmen of JACL’s campaign to repeal or amend the Emergency Detention Act of 1950. A steering committee and national ad hoc committee will organize the effort.
- Wartime U.S. Attorney General Biddle Dies, Rued Evacuation, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 2. Francis Biddle, U.S. Attorney General during the 1942 Evacuation decision, died at 82. Recalling a 1968 oral history interview, Masaoka reports Biddle believed the evacuation unconstitutional and regretted not opposing it more forcefully.
National
- Flower Grower’s Labor Issue Shifts to Denver Airport, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Picketers protested flower shipments from the Kitayama greenhouses at Denver’s Stapleton Airport, supporting striking members of the National Florist Workers Organization. The strike seeks higher wages and union recognition.
- ‘Please Don’t’ Leaflets Circulated to San Francisco Board of Supervisors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL distributed its leaflet asking people not to use the term ‘Jap’ after a San Francisco supervisor used the slur. National director Masao Satow and S.F. Nisei Voters League president Edison Uno wrote to the supervisor.
- Spark Outpolls Patsy in Hawaii Primary, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Hawaii Democrats led by Sen. Daniel Inouye and Reps. Spark Matsunaga and Patsy Mink performed strongly in the October 5 primary. Matsunaga narrowly outpolled Mink, and several local races were decided.
Community
- Zengakuren Stage Violent Anti-US Protests, by United Press International, page 2. About 15,000 Zengakuren militant students staged nationwide demonstrations in Japan on October 8, clashing with police in Tokyo and other cities. Over 800 were injured and 172 arrested as protests disrupted rail traffic.
- Sansei Slant: Youth Council Chairman Introduces Regional Youth Leaders, by Patti Dohzen, page 6. National Youth Council chairman Patti Dohzen introduces the council’s district representatives and reports on a newly formed Gardena Valley Jr. JACL chapter. She describes the group’s organizing efforts.
- San Francisco JACL Seeks Volunteers for Tutorial Work, by P.C. Staff, page 6. San Francisco JACL’s Civil Rights committee invites volunteers to attend an October 29 orientation to tutor disadvantaged children. No special qualifications are required beyond personal concern for students.
- Fashion Show Showcases Leather and Furs, by Miyuki Kobayashi, page 6. The San Francisco JACL Women’s Auxiliary staged its 11th annual fashion show at the Village, featuring new suit silhouettes and fur styles. Models and committee members are pictured.
- Muriel Merrell Completes Busy Two Weeks in Ikebana and Origami, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Former Hollywood JACL president Muriel Merrell installed Los Angeles Ikebana International officers and received a Shofu school degree in Tokyo. She also took on origami consulting assignments.
Military & Veterans
- Telecommunications Official Reveals Wartime Effort to Protect Nisei, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 4. Howard Van Zandt, ITT Far East vice president, recounts his pre-war advocacy for Japanese Americans’ loyalty, including a 1939 speech that cost him a promotion. He also describes his postwar work rebuilding Japan’s telecommunications.
Arts & Entertainment
- Honolulu Movie Critics Favorable to Paul Fujii Starring in Own Film, by Allan Beekman, page 4. The Japanese-produced film ‘The Paul Fujii Story (Yamato-Damashii)’ portrays boxer Paul Fujii’s rise through a nationalistic lens. Honolulu critics and audiences responded favorably to the film.
Sports
- Helen Shima Named Cleveland’s Queen of Bowlers, by Gary Yamauchi, page 7. Helen Shima, a Nisei bowler from Cleveland, has won multiple city and regional titles and was named the city’s top women’s bowler. The article reviews her recent championships and records.
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.