Morality guidelines, the Hosokawa book title and 100 years of Japanese immigration

Vol. 69, No. 13, September 26, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL National President Jerry Enomoto opened the issue with a column on a proposed set of morality guidelines for California’s public schools. He argued that the report treated traditional American values as beyond question, attacked sensitivity training, and that JACL must keep pressing on civil rights and local problems. The centennial of Japanese immigration ran through the issue: James M. Watanabe wrote about Ranald McDonald and Manjiro, and a San Francisco Japan Week parade drew an estimated 40,000 spectators.

The editorial page was given over to the debate about the title of Bill Hosokawa’s book. Harry K. Honda, Dr. Frank Sakamoto and Shizue N. Baker each weighed in, and Warren Furutani wrote about Japanese Village and Deer Park in Buena Park. Also inside: Seattle Issei describing attacks in the central area, a Los Angeles County affirmative action committee, and a University of California health study of Japanese Americans in the Bay Area.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Morality Guidelines, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto criticizes a proposed California school morality guideline that assumes traditional American values are unassailable and attacks sensitivity training. He argues JACL must continue exerting a positive influence on civil rights and grassroots problems.
• Hosokawa Tajiri Awards, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on the fifth annual Larry Tajiri Memorial Foundation awards banquet in Denver. He recalls Tajiri’s journalism and his concern for the underdog.
• Prior Restraint, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Editor Harry Honda defends the Hosokawa book and the principle against prior restraint, citing Near v. Minnesota. He argues that censorship of publication threatens press freedom.
• Deer Park Taboo, by Warren Furutani, page 4. Warren Furutani critiques Japanese Village and Deer Park in Buena Park as an exploitative commercialization of Japanese culture. He describes working conditions and management attitudes toward Asian employees.
• The Title ‘Crisis’, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 4. Dr. Frank Sakamoto responds to the controversy over the Hosokawa book title and urges JACL to share leadership with younger members. He argues the organization must respond to the crisis with openness.
• Nisei—Quiet Americans, by Shizue N. Baker, page 4. Shizue Baker defends the Hosokawa book title and criticizes critics who object to it. She calls on Nisei writers to communicate their own stories rather than reject others.
• Enryo Syndrome, by Peik Lindberg, page 4. Peik Lindberg argues that Japanese Americans must overcome the enryo syndrome of self-restraint and recognize their power. He notes immigrant groups like Nordic newcomers faced similar traits.
• Can’t Cremate Noguchi Case, by Long Beach Press-Telegram, page 4. This editorial criticizes the attack on Los Angeles County Coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi, who was cleared by the Civil Service Commission. It calls for procedures to prevent irresponsible attacks on public servants and notes racial undertones.
• A Logical Choice for a Tough Job, by Seattle Times, page 4. The Seattle Times endorses Y. Phillip Hayasaka’s appointment to the Human Rights Commission, noting his six years as director. The editorial supports his confirmation by the city council.

Community

• Seattle Issei Complain of Lack of Police Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seattle JACL was told that elderly Issei in the central area are being mugged and attacked in daylight despite repeated police calls. Pharmacist George Tokuda is serving as spokesman and appealing to city council for protection.
• Affirmative Action on County Jobs Promised, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors created an Affirmative Action Committee to implement nondiscrimination in county employment. The article notes the county workforce composition by ethnic group.
• 40,000 Witness Japan Week’s Civic Parade, by P.C. Staff, page 3. An estimated 40,000 spectators watched a giant costume parade during San Francisco’s Japan Week. The event was followed by a Centennial Banquet honoring 500 Issei pioneers sponsored by the local JACL.

Incarceration & Redress

• Future of Japanese Ethnic Churches in L.A. Studied, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Paul Nagano’s study on Japanese ethnic churches in Los Angeles finds growing Japanese population suggests they should not integrate yet. The paper analyzes population trends, church membership, and recommends relocation and ethnic identity retention.
• Nisei Health Study Goes into Clinical Phase, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A University of California School of Public Health study of Japanese Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area will move into a clinical phase with medical checkups. Professor Warren Winkelstein says the first demographic phase was successful.

National

• Korean Population in U.S. Growing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Korean American population exceeds 70,000 and grows by 8,000 to 9,000 annually, with California having the highest concentration. Figures also cover Korean adoptions and naturalizations.

In-Depth

• McDonald, Manjiro, Issei, by James M. Watanabe, page 1. The article marks the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration by recounting the lives of Ranald McDonald and Manjiro, who helped open Japan to contact with the West. Watanabe presents their stories as early links shaping later Japanese American history.

Obituaries

• Pioneer Issei Virtues Retained by Children, by Dr. Kunisada K. Kiyasu, page 3. Dr. Kunisada Kiyasu speaks at the Issei honorees banquet, praising the Nisei and Sansei for retaining Issei virtues. He explains the values of enryo, gaman, and oyakoh-koh.

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