Campus strikes and Asian American students: January 1969

Vol. 68, No. 4, January 24, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

The student strike at San Francisco State ran through this six-page issue. L. Ling-Chi Wang reported on an all-day Asian American symposium at UC Berkeley that drew some 800 students and ended in a contentious vote on a resolution backing the strike. Professor George S. Araki, who teaches at San Francisco State, explained how he saw the strike begin and grow. Acting president S.I. Hayakawa defended his stand in an interview, and columnist Kats Kunitsugu answered critics of the Nisei community’s reaction. A short item told of a firebomb thrown at the home of professor Edwin Duerr.

Elsewhere, Placer County JACL and partner groups planned a monument at Coloma for the 1869 Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm colony. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto, Mike Masaoka, Bill Hosokawa and Patti Dohzen wrote columns, and chapter pages told of installation dinners and a credit union meeting in Salt Lake City.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Asian American symposium draws 800 West Coast students, by L. Ling-Chi Wang, page 1. Some 800 students attended an all-day Asian American symposium at UC Berkeley sponsored by Nisei and Chinese student clubs. The session ended with a contentious vote on a resolution supporting the San Francisco State student strike.
• Wakamatsu Colony centennial monument planned at Coloma, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Placer County JACL and partner groups plan a Gold Discovery Days tribute and a monument at Coloma honoring the 1869 Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm colony. A fund drive of $10,000 is underway to pay for the monument, landscaping and dedication.
• Nisei prof sympathizes with student strike, by George S. Araki, page 1. San Francisco State marine biology professor George Araki reviews the origins of the 1968 student strike and the escalating confrontations with police. He argues that heavy-handed police tactics and violence are counterproductive and that the strike reflects legitimate demands for ethnic studies and minority admissions.
• Probe court fees paid to doctors, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Los Angeles Supervisor Kenneth Hahn called it shocking that $376,039 in court-authorized fees went to 121 physicians in 1968. He moved for an investigation, noting Dr. George Abe collected $43,215 in fees while drawing a full state salary.
• Racial prejudice not grounds for annulment of marriage, judge rules, by P.C. Staff, page 2. San Francisco Superior Judge Raymond Arata refused an annulment sought by a Japanese American waitress who claimed her husband concealed racial hostility. The judge said she had tolerated the situation too long to obtain an annulment.
• Sen. Inouye delegate to conference in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Daniel Inouye was named a delegate to a conference in Japan. Additional short notices were included in this news section.
• Hayakawa speaks out in interview, by UW Daily staff, page 3. Acting San Francisco State president S.I. Hayakawa, interviewed by University of Washington Daily staffers, defends his decision to take the post and attacks confrontation tactics as a denial of rational discourse. He argues the conflict is cultural rather than racial and criticizes the American Federation of Teachers’ role.
• Damage home of San Francisco State official, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A firebomb was thrown at the bedroom window of SF State professor Edwin Duerr, whose Japanese wife and children were inside but unharmed when the device failed to explode. Police and firemen responded, and Duerr condemned the violence.
• News Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A roundup of brief items covering military casualties, school appointments, courtroom developments, business and entertainment news involving Nisei and Japanese Americans. Items include the Vietnam deaths of Nisei soldiers and a fine paid by Iva Toguri D’Aquino.
• National JACL credit union and IDC session continues to be joint Salt Lake event, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National JACL Credit Union annual dinner meeting and dance will be held Feb. 1 in Salt Lake City alongside the Intermountain District Council quarterly session. The credit union declared a 4.8% dividend for the second half of 1968.
• Alameda judge to speak at chapter installation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Alameda Judge Folger Ferris is slated to speak at the Alameda JACL installation dinner. The chapter’s new officers and board are listed.
• Racial prejudice and Gardena JACL installation notices, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chapter news includes installation dinners for Gardena Valley JACL and San Fernando Valley JACL, with guest speakers and officer lists. A Salinas Valley note discusses restoring the Urabe Park name.

Commentary

• The Wider World, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the value of public servants who live up to their principles and criticizes legislators who simply follow pressure groups. He also comments on War on Poverty program communication failures and the need for community understanding of its purpose.
• Washington Newsletter: The Johnson Presidency, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka assesses Lyndon Johnson’s presidency, crediting it with major gains for minorities and Asian Americans, including immigration reform and Okinawa and Bonin Islands developments. He also covers the Senate filibuster fight over cloture rules.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes the installation dinner of the Fort Lupton JACL chapter in Colorado, highlighting a warm, informal gathering and a musical performance by Prof. Kuniaki Hata. He argues small chapters can thrive by keeping activities fun and meaningful.
• Dr. Frank Sakamoto: Tie and Garter, 3,000 Thousanders by 1970, by Frank Sakamoto, page 4. Frank Sakamoto urges members to recruit new 1000 Club members toward a goal of 3,000 by 1970. He also lists recent 1000 Club recruits from several chapters.
• Sansei Slant: The Great American Dream Game, by Patti Dohzen, page 4. Patti Dohzen argues the Sansei are pursuing the American dream of wealth and success through hard work and thrift, but questions whether the game is meaningful. She suggests the goals of the older generation may not fit the younger one.
• Aloha from Hawaii, by Richard Gima, page 5. Richard Gima reviews Hawaii news items including tourism taxes, state government appointments and Japanese American community leadership changes. He notes the rising importance of construction relative to tourism in the islands.
• Wash Line, by Roger Nikaido, page 5. Roger Nikaido satirizes 1968 changes in American men’s and women’s fashions and gender roles, from men’s beauty products to women’s liberation protests at Miss America. He suggests a unisex future may blur important distinctions.
• Why can’t human beings act more like the angels?, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 6. Kats Kunitsugu responds to Japanese American columnists who criticized the Nisei community for paying attention to the San Francisco State dispute only after Hayakawa’s appointment. He defends Hayakawa’s firmness against destructive protest while acknowledging legitimate student concerns.
• Dinecon’s Report, by Masao W. Satow, page 6. National JACL director Masao Satow reports on planning for the 1969 Japanese immigration centennial and the Wakamatsu Colony monument. He also discusses requests for Japanese American study materials and membership progress.
• We are what we are, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Dr. Logan Fox, a psychology professor, addressed the Orange County JACL installation dinner on belonging and dual cultural heritage. He urged Japanese Americans to bridge communication gaps between cultures.
• New Year party had something for everybody, by Joe Oyama, page 6. Joe Oyama describes the New York Nike Niko Club New Year’s party held at the Nippon Club with the 442nd Veterans and Boy Scout Troop 557. He portrays an integrated, festive evening with karate demonstrations, singing and a Japanese feast.
• Young Adult Now, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Alan Kumamoto writes about Young Adult JACL activity, noting the Chicago model and efforts by individuals to engage younger Japanese Americans. He invites comments on how to make JACL relevant to younger members.
• Responding to Change, by Don Hayashi, page 6. Don Hayashi examines why Junior JACL members drop out rather than joining senior JACL and argues that adult chapters must recruit young adults and share leadership. He offers three steps to address the problem.

National

• Johnson bids Tokyo farewell, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Outgoing U.S. Ambassador U. Alexis Johnson urged relaxation of Japanese import restrictions on American products to counter rising U.S. protectionism. He said the results of trade talks were disappointing and discussed the Okinawa question.

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