Open housing and civil rights, January 31, 1969

Vol. 68, No. 5, January 31, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through this six-page issue. The front page reported that the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Akron, Ohio, could not require fair housing laws to win voter approval, finding that the charter amendment denied equal protection. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about the Junior JACL program and the need to keep young Sansei leaders involved. Akira Sano described segregation that still persisted in Southern schools and hospitals, and Roger Nikaido assessed the Nixon administration’s civil rights posture.

Other front-page stories covered a JACL search for a national associate director for civil rights, a Los Angeles human rights commission vote to oppose Subtitle II of the Internal Security Act, and an Asian American studies course at UC Berkeley. The commentary pages include Bill Marutani on growing up poor in Kent, Washington, Jeffrey Matsui on today’s protests, George Yoshinaga on refereeing a women’s wrestling match, and Alan Kumamoto on welcoming young adults into JACL chapters.

What’s in this issue

National

• Housing Law Tied to Referendum Invalid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Akron, Ohio, could not require fair housing laws to be approved by voters, finding the charter amendment denied equal protection. Justice Black dissented, arguing the decision cast aspersions on the right of citizens to vote.
• JACL Seeks National Assoc. Director for Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL is recruiting a professional staff associate national director for civil rights, primarily to assist chapters with local civil rights programs. The position pays $12,000 annually, negotiable, and requires a bachelor’s degree and community organizing experience.
• Ombudsman First in U.S. Will Be Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Herman Doi, director of the University of Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau, is expected to be named Hawaii’s state ombudsman when the legislature reconvenes Feb. 19. The $22,000-a-year post will investigate administrative acts of government agencies.
• Japan at Tricky Stage of Political Evolution, by John Bilby, page 1. Frank Gibney, president of Encyclopaedia Britannica (Japan), warns Americans to pay closer attention to Japan, which he says could move either left or right. Gibney draws on his wartime interrogation work and postwar writing career.

Commentary

• Per Spectives on the Pacific Citizen, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the Junior JACL program, urging continuity of Sansei leadership and retention of young members in JACL. He also notes the value of Hawaii coverage and a proposal to send free PC subscriptions to members of Congress.
• Nixon and Civil Rights, by Roger Nikaido, page 5. Roger Nikaido assesses the Nixon administration’s civil rights posture after the Inaugural Address. He notes cabinet pledges to enforce civil rights laws while expressing skepticism about the administration’s willingness to act aggressively.
• Today’s Protest, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 5. Jeffrey Matsui argues that Nisei should understand what today’s protests are about because they affect Japanese Americans’ own future. He warns that unrest can turn anti-Asian sentiment against Americans of Oriental ancestry.
• December Dash, by Henry Kanegae, page 6. JACL official Henry Kanegae reflects on 1968, recounting visits to Chicago and Milwaukee chapters and his ongoing installation-banquet circuit. He reports on discussions with the 1000 Club and chapter concerns.
• Refereeing Girls Wrestling Match No Powder Puff, by George Yoshinaga, page 6. George Yoshinaga describes refereeing a women’s professional wrestling match in Van Nuys between Patty O’Hara and Waver Bryant. The two are booked for matches in Japan later this year.
• Bin-Boh, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani reflects on growing up in material poverty in Kent, Washington, and how it shaped his values about drinking, food, and luxury. He suggests Nisei may now suffer a lingering poverty syndrome despite prosperity.
• Elks, Lions and Race, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reprinted Honolulu Advertiser editorial notes that the Elks Club still excludes Orientals, Filipinos, and Negroes from membership due to national policy. It recounts the Lions Club’s historical restrictions in Hawaii.
• Young Adult Sequel, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Alan Kumamoto follows up on Don Hayashi’s column by urging JACL chapters to welcome young adults and bring them into leadership. He argues established organizations must adapt to keep younger members engaged.
• Greatest Human Desires Hidden and Tempting, by Jim Henry, page 6. Jim Henry summarizes a Shukan Asahi survey of Japanese people’s secret desires, from professors and salarymen to housewives and students. The items range from comic wishes to pointed jabs at the ruling party.

Community

• PSW Civil Rights Workshop Feb. 2, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council will hold its third civil rights workshop in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, bringing together Nisei and Sansei to discuss today’s problems. Speakers include Penny Nakatsu and Warren Furutani.
• Looking Ahead to 1972 Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The D.C. chapter, which will host the 1972 National JACL Convention, proposed a week-long carnival as its main spring fundraiser. A call went out for volunteers to staff concessions.
• Over 200 Students Enroll for UC Berkeley Asian Studies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. More than 200 students, mostly Asian American, enrolled in the Asian American ethnic studies course at UC Berkeley, prompting the class to move to a larger auditorium. The experimental course may become a regular offering.
• Task Forces to Push Civil Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Chicago JACL Human Relations Committee organized five task forces covering education, employment, housing, civil rights, and chapter education. Masaru Funai chairs the committee.
• Progressive Westside Board Members Introduced, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Incoming members of the Progressive Westside JACL board were introduced at the first meeting of the new year in Los Angeles. Roger Shimizu was named 1969 president.
• Monterey Installs Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Close to 100 people attended the Monterey Peninsula JACL installation dinner. Gary Miyamoto was installed as 1969 chapter president along with the Women’s Auxiliary officers.
• Relevance of Japanese American Evacuation of 1942 to Moral Issue Today, by Chiyo Manuwa, page 1. A KPFA Berkeley broadcast by sociologist Isao Fujimoto examined the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans and its relevance today. Fujimoto questioned whether democracy can hold under stress and flagged the McCarran Internal Security Act.
• Segregation in Deep South Still Persists, by Akira Sano, page 4. Akira Sano, chairman of the National Youth Council, describes persistent racial segregation in Southern schools and hospitals, including consolidation of Negro schools and dual facilities. He argues Japanese Americans should support Black civil rights.

Incarceration & Redress

• L.A. Human Rights Group Pushing for ISA Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations voted to oppose Subtitle II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 and urged the Board of Supervisors to press for its repeal. The resolution cites the wartime detention of Japanese Americans and the lack of due process under the Emergency Detention Act.

Obituaries

• Mourners Pay Final Respect, by Welly T. Shibata, page 1. Hundreds attended a Boy Scouts funeral at Tsukiji Hongwanji in Tokyo for Tamotsu Murayama, a standing director of the National Association of the Boy Scouts of Japan, who died Dec. 31 at sea. Dignitaries and friends paid tribute despite falling rain.

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