Vol. 69, No. 4, July 25, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue
The Apollo XI moon mission shaped the commentary in this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote about the launch and the respectful protests around it, and Mike Masaoka called for a national effort against poverty and injustice with the same commitment given to space. News stories covered the Sacramento-area civil rights workshop that adopted a 12-point program, JACL’s statement on members’ rights to act individually, and Rep. Spark Matsunaga’s two bills for prewar yen certificate claimants, including Japanese internees.
Supervisor Kenneth Hahn asked that the hearing on the dismissal of Dr. Thomas Noguchi be reopened, and Dick Tracy’s column examined the case. Bill Hosokawa described visiting Hiroshima’s Peace Park, and Alan Kumamoto wrote on ethnic identity. Also inside: the San Jose City Council’s refusal to let the Elks use Civic Auditorium, and plans for Japanese American Day at the state fair.
What’s in this issue
Community
- City of San Jose Denies Use of Facility to Elks, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose City Council denied the Elks Lodge permission to hold its circus in Civic Auditorium because the organization discriminates against non-Caucasians. Councilwoman Virginia Shaffer dissented and the matter was referred for investigation.
- Japanese American Day at Fair Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Plans are underway for a Japanese American Day at the California State Fair on Aug. 24, themed around the 1869 Japanese settlement at Gold Hill. The day will feature cultural dance, folk songs and music.
- Berkeley Delays Ethnic Studies Plan; Slate Only Limited Seminars, Courses, by P.C. Staff, page 1. UC Berkeley Chancellor Roger Heyns postponed a full ethnic studies department, offering limited seminars and courses instead this fall. Chairmen were named for four ethnic programs while a permanent department is promised by 1970.
- Rexburg to Host IDC Quarterly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Intermountain District Council quarterly session will be held Aug. 2-3 in Rexburg, Idaho, hosted by the Rexburg JACL. Civil rights coordinator Raymond Uno will attend as special guest.
National
- Matsunaga Introduces Bills to Aid Certain Yen Claimants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga introduced two bills to help prewar yen certificate claimants, including Japanese internees, with JACL support. The bills address claims against the Sumitomo and Yokohama Specie banks.
- NC-WNDC Civil Rights Workshop Adopts Tough 12-Point Program, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Northern California-Western Nevada JACL civil rights workshop adopted a 12-point statement addressing minority education, housing, ethnic studies and related issues. It also called for JACL to assist Tokyo Rose and protest the title of Bill Hosokawa’s book.
JACL
- Rights of Individual Within Nat’l Organization Clarified, by Harry Honda, page 1. The JACL interim National Board meeting in Los Angeles issued a statement affirming members’ rights to act individually on issues of concern. The board also discussed JACL’s direction, membership needs, and various programs.
- Questions for National Board, by Frank Sakamoto, page 6. Sakamoto raises questions for the National Board on 1000 Club matters, including officer eligibility, student aid, dues grades, and fiscal year timing. He invites member feedback on these proposals.
Commentary
- Apollo XI, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Enomoto reflects on the Apollo XI launch and the protests surrounding it, praising respectful dissent. He also comments on university unrest, political responses, and the need for substantive correction of social inequities.
- Man’s Greatest Adventure, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka celebrates the Apollo 11 moon mission while calling for a crash national effort to address poverty, minority inequality and social injustice with the same commitment given to space exploration. He argues that the JACL should lead such efforts.
- Peace Park, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa describes visiting Hiroshima’s Peace Park and atomic bomb museum, reflecting on the lasting memory of the 1945 bombing. He then recounts a reunion with his cousin Fukeda and the family’s wartime experiences of the bombing.
- Hawaii Column: Aloha from Hawaii, by Richard Gima, page 5. Gima comments on Hawaii statehood, political developments, and local news about Hawaii’s activities. He includes observations on local leaders and events.
- Center of Storm: Dr. Noguchi, by Dick Tracy, page 6. Tracy reviews the controversy surrounding Los Angeles County coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi, including the accusations against him and the county’s efforts to oust him. He raises questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
- It Can Be Very Unimaginative on a Saturday Night, by Sterling Sakamoto, page 6. Sakamoto recounts a humorous Saturday night spent with a friend in Sacramento, searching for entertainment. The column is a lighthearted guest piece.
- Renewed Ethnicity, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Kumamoto urges Japanese Americans to examine their ethnic identity and self-concept in relation to the majority and other minorities. He calls on JACL and its youth to adopt a new, challenging outlook.
- East Wind: Uptight But Literally, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Marutani writes humorously about his efforts to study Japanese dictionaries and kanji, noting various linguistic quirks. He reflects on the difficulties of learning the language.
Incarceration & Redress
- Reopening of Noguchi Ouster Hearing Asked, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Supervisor Kenneth Hahn called for the Civil Service Commission to reopen the hearing on the dismissal of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, saying the whole truth has not come out. The commission said it would consider reopening only if Noguchi formally requested it.
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