Vol. 68, No. 23, June 6, 1969. 8 pages. View this issue
The firing of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the county coroner, ran through this issue. The county dropped one charge relating to the Robert Kennedy autopsy during the civil service hearing, Little Tokyo leaders formed a defense committee to raise funds, and Harry K. Honda’s editorial called on readers to stand up and be counted. On the front page, JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote about Sansei identity and his talks with high school students, and the paper reported that a state historical landmark plaque for the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony would be unveiled June 7.
Other pages looked at the gap between Nisei and Sansei in a column by Don Hayashi, and Patti Dohzen defended the E-GAD youth project title. Alice Kasai reported on Utah JACL members screening applicants for the 1969 National JACL Scholarships. Jim Henry sent a Tokyo reporter’s notebook on student violence, and Allan Beekman reviewed a youth book about the 1945 invasion of Okinawa.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Wakamatsu Colony historical landmark plaque unveiling set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The state historical landmark plaque for the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony will be unveiled June 7 in Coloma with Governor and Mrs. Reagan and Consul General Shima attending. The ceremony marks the start of JACL’s Japanese Immigration Centennial celebration.
- County drops one charge, CAO reputation at stake, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The county withdrew one charge against Dr. Thomas Noguchi relating to the Robert Kennedy autopsy during the civil service hearing. Testimony continued with attorney Godfrey Isaac challenging the credibility of the county’s case against the ousted coroner.
JACL
- Sansei Identity, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto describes invitations to speak at local high schools about Sansei identity and the Evacuation. He also discusses the Looking Glass program in San Jose and the Wakamatsu Centennial preparations.
- Oakland JACL backs school tax increase, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Oakland JACL endorsed the school tax increase measure on the June 3 ballot at its May meeting. It joined the Oakland Tribune, League of Women Voters, and other groups in support.
Military & Veterans
- Sacramento Nisei elected Lions district governor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Akio Hayashi became the first Nisei district governor of Lions Clubs in Northern California. He is a charter member of the Senator Lions Club and a WWII Public Health Service veteran.
- JACL Civil Rights scrapbook: mechanics of organization and operation, by Raymond S. Uno, page 5. Raymond Uno provides guidance on parliamentary procedure and committee operation for JACL Civil Rights and Human Relations Committees. The article outlines the roles of chairmen, secretaries, and members along with a problem-solving framework.
- 22nd year for the Chief, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 6. Dr. Frank Sakamoto congratulates National Director Mas Satow on renewing his 1000 Club membership for the 22nd year. He encourages chapter chairmen to recruit and welcome new 1000 Club members.
- Okinawa: Last Ordeal in book for youth, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Allan Beekman reviews a youth book on the 1945 American invasion of Okinawa, praising its gripping battle narrative. He criticizes the author for repeating myths about Okinawans.
Community
- LACC Sansei seeks police protection from BSU threat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Members of the Voices in Violence group at LACC requested police protection after threats from the Black Student Union. Steve Frank asked Mayor Yorty for protection, saying members’ lives were threatened almost daily.
- Little Tokyo community leaders united in search of truth in Dr. Noguchi case, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Little Tokyo leaders formed the Japanese United in Search for the Truth Noguchi Defense Committee to raise funds for Dr. Noguchi’s defense. Expenses excluding attorney fees were estimated at $30,000.
- Utah JACLers screen candidates for national scholarships, by Alice Kasai, page 5. Fifteen Utah JACL members screened 56 applicants for the 1969 National JACL Scholarships. The article reports the winners including Dale Ikeda and other scholarship recipients.
- East L.A. introduces first Nisei Week queen aspirant, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The East Los Angeles JACL introduced Linda Yuriko Osaki as its candidate for 1969 Miss East Los Angeles and first official Nisei Week queen candidate. The announcement came at a dinner-dance attended by 200 guests.
- Monterey High grants school credit for JACL Japanese language school, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Monterey High School will grant public high school credit to students who complete the Monterey Peninsula JACL Japanese language school courses. Students must meet specific requirements set by the principal.
National
- Affluence in America paves way for youth discontent, says Inouye, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sen. Daniel Inouye told a Chicago Democratic dinner that American affluence has fostered youth discontent. He urged the older generation to complete its revolution by addressing poverty, racism, and pollution.
Commentary
- Hospitable Mikurajima, by Dr. Motoo Takahashi and Mrs. Vern Sayre, page 1. The article recounts how Japanese islanders on Mikurajima rescued the crew of the American clipper ship Viking after it wrecked in 1863. A memorial plaque commemorates this forgotten act of hospitality.
- Right Here and Now, by Alan Kumamoto, page 2. Alan Kumamoto encourages young people to take initiative and become involved in change right here and now. He describes the importance of fact-finding and personal decision-making in community action.
- A Time to Stand Up and Be Counted, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. The editorial argues the Noguchi case concerns fair play and equal opportunity and that the charges constitute character assassination without basis. It calls on readers to support Dr. Noguchi’s defense fund and the principles of justice.
- Nisei and Sansei must turn each other on, by Don Hayashi, page 4. Don Hayashi argues that the communications gap between Nisei and Sansei is real and must be bridged through listening. He uses a Portland high school example to show that shared concerns can emerge through open dialogue.
- Sansei Slant, by Patti Dohzen, page 6. Patti Dohzen defends the title E-GAD for the National Youth Project against objections to its slang. She explains the title’s purpose and invites youth to participate.
- Southland Sansei to help rebuild Indian reservation teen canteen, by Junko Kawamura, page 6. Southland Sansei will help rebuild a teen canteen on the Salt River Indian Reservation near Phoenix during a June service project. The project aims to build understanding between Indian and Asian American youth.
- Sansei Slant: Tokyo reporter’s notebook, by Jim Henry, page 8. Jim Henry’s notebook reports on student violence in Tokyo, including the theft of dynamite and the replacement of sidewalk blocks used as missiles. He also notes the police campaign against Zengakuren leaders.
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