Repealing Title II and an Issei’s wait for justice, 1968

Vol. 67, No. 22, November 29, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The Emergency Detention Act, known as Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, ran through this issue. Frank Chuman discussed it on a Los Angeles radio program, where JACL is seeking repeal or amendment. An all-Nisei panel took up the subject at a San Francisco church forum. On the front page, Chicago Daily News told of Jack Inamura, 73, an Issei grocer who had waited nearly a year for his assault case to come to trial. Jerry Enomoto wrote about the Placer County JACL’s 40th anniversary dinner.

Elsewhere, Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter previewed the 91st Congress, and the paper reported on his decoration in Tokyo with the Order of the Rising Sun. Bill Hosokawa reviewed the election results for Nisei candidates. Dr. John Kanda wrote about the draft, and Bishop Kenryu Tsuji described his visit to Vietnam. William Marutani and Joe Oyama contributed columns on page 6.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• Issei wonders about justice, waits over year for day in court, by Chicago Daily News, page 1. Jack Inamura, 73, a Chicago Issei grocer, has waited nearly a year for his assault case against David Day to reach trial. The case has been continued repeatedly, leaving Inamura frustrated that his attacker remains free on bond.
• Title II repeal move being aired, CRCSC help sought, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Frank Chuman discussed the Emergency Detention Act (Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950) on a Los Angeles radio program. JACL is seeking repeal or amendment and enlisting support from the Community Relations Conference of Southern California.
• All-Nisei panel appears at S.F. Unitarian event, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Committee to Repeal Title II made its first public appearance at a San Francisco church forum. Panelists discussed the wartime evacuation and dangers of the Emergency Detention Act.

Commentary

• Placer’s 40th, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto recounts attending the Placer County JACL 40th anniversary goodwill dinner, praising the warm community relations. He also notes an upcoming centennial commemoration of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony in Coloma.
• Chapter Clinic and national convention notes, page 1. Brief notes on upcoming JACL events and program updates were reported in the chapter section. Details are limited in the OCR text.
• Washington Newsletter, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka previews the 91st Congress, noting Democrats retain control of both houses and committee chairmanships. He discusses incoming senators and representatives of interest to Japanese Americans.
• By the Board: Selective Service System, by Dr. John Kanda, page 3. National Third Vice President Kanda, a local draft board member, examines the fairness of draft selection and the role of the Selective Service System. He argues that the war in Vietnam is the root of anti-draft activity.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reviews the 1968 election results for Nisei candidates, including Grayson Taketa’s strong showing against Rep. Gubser. He encourages Nisei political involvement and notes Nisei office-holders in California.
• Follow the Leader?, by Patti Dohzen, page 4. Dohzen reflects on the role of leaders and followers amid social unrest, arguing that members must take responsibility rather than rely solely on leaders. The column draws parallels to JACL chapter and district leadership.
• Dorothy Day and Evacuation, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Editor Harry Honda highlights Dorothy Day, a Catholic Worker founder who protested the wartime Evacuation, and Isao Fujimoto’s radio paper on the internment’s relevance today. He calls for renewed support for repealing Title II.
• There’s no need for the hyphens among Americans, by Dick Tracy, page 4. Tracy, editor of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, argues that ethnic hyphens are used by minorities for group security or cultural ties but that America is strengthened by diversity. He quotes the JACL Japanese American Creed.
• Over-reacting, by Joe Oyama, page 6. Oyama reflects on his own reaction to a slur and cautions against overreacting to perceived injustice. He also comments on the efficiency of the Intermountain District Youth Council.
• Color Me Anything, by William Marutani, page 6. Marutani writes about accepted assumptions and how repeated conventions become unquestioned truths, using examples from eye color, hair color, and a questionable ABA membership form asking for race. He answered the form by writing ‘Human.’
• Philadelphia Story, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 6. Matsui recounts his East Coast visit, including meetings with Eastern District and Philadelphia JACL members. He describes local sights, meals, and conversations about Sansei and integration.
• Death Do Us Part, by Roger Nikaido, page 6. Nikaido presents a short fictional piece about a young man who wakes from a dream about his own death and resolves to make the most of his remaining time. The story emphasizes giving to others and appreciating life.

JACL

• That time again, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto discusses the turnover of JACL chapter and district leadership and urges strong membership recruitment for 1969. He also praises the PSW District Chapter Clinic in Pasadena as an effective model for organizational training.

Community

• Chicago JAB statement of policy on police OK’d, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fifteen Chicago JACL members joined 500 citizens at a Joint Action Board dinner on public order and police responsibilities following the August riots. The JAB adopted a statement on freedom, dissent, and police accountability.
• CCDC installs JACL officers en masse; re-elect Gov. Tok, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto installed the 1969 CCDC district and chapter officers at the convention banquet. Tokuo Yamamoto was re-elected district governor, and Delano JACL was named chapter of the year.
• Sen. Mink cited by NEA, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink received the National Education Association’s distinguished service award for her education legislation. The honor was presented by the NEA legislative commission.
• Racial innuendo charged in Wash. log issue debates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Japan-America Society of Seattle deplored racially divisive innuendo in the campaign over Initiative 32 on log exports. The society urged debate on the merits without racist emotionalism.
• Oriental and ex-Island police officers organize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Oriental and Hawaii-born police officers in Los Angeles are forming a national fraternal organization after the death of officer Gary Murakami. A meeting with county sheriff officers is scheduled.
• Carnival fans, judoists frolic at ex-actress home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The New York Buddhist Church held its annual bazaar at the former Marion Davies mansion, which also houses the American Buddhist Academy. Visitors enjoyed a miniature Ginza and judo demonstrations.
• Everyone in Vietnam tired of war and fighting their own relatives, BCA Bishop Tsuji says in Fresno, by The Fresno Bee, page 3. BCA Bishop Kenryu Tsuji reports on a visit to Vietnam, where he met Buddhist monks and American Buddhist GIs. He describes the desire for peace among Vietnamese people and the activities of Buddhists there.
• Seattle School Board criticized by Nisei prof, by Elmer Ogawa, page 4. Dr. Minoru Masuda criticized the Seattle School Board for centralization and for neglecting Central Area schools. An ad hoc group proposes a Central Area School Community Council to make the board more responsive.
• Joint Action Board: activists for civil rights, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Joint Action Board, a federation of Chicago civil rights organizations, has engaged in fair housing advocacy and other human rights work. The Chicago JACL became a member, participating in leadership and civil rights action.
• Public library hires its first social worker to coordinate local resources, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Florence Numajiri Field, a Nisei social worker, was hired by the Chicago Public Library to coordinate community programs in Woodlawn. Programs include adult exam training, children’s arts, and tutoring.
• Floral arrangement hit at U.N. dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sacramento’s United Nations 14th annual dinner featured a flower arrangement demonstration and an egg roll contributed by the Sacramento JACL Women’s Auxiliary. The event showcased many ethnic cuisines and cultures.

National

• Nation’s sense of values opened for critical look at CCDC confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Vice Mayor Norman Mineta urged Nisei to engage in politics and good government at the Central California District Council convention. He criticized national spending priorities that neglect urban problems.

Military & Veterans

• Masaoka decorated, page 1. Mike Masaoka received the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class, from Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in Tokyo. The honor is among Japan’s highest decorations bestowed on a civilian.
• Eight teams tangle in Long Beach cage meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eight teams compete in the 12th annual Long Beach JACL invitational basketball tournament. Defending champion Progressive Westside JACL is among the favorites.

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.