Vol. 69, No. 17, October 24, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue
JACL’s place in a turbulent time was the question running through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflected on “Evolution or Revolution” and urged members to remake their chapters’ programs. Outgoing MDC governor Henry Tanaka argued that unresponsiveness came from apathy and a failure to develop leaders. Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 was the other main subject. Rep. Spark Matsunaga wrote that it must be repealed to prevent future concentration camps, and the National City Council unanimously urged repeal, calling the wartime evacuation an example of unjust emergency detention.
Also inside: the Teamsters and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union planned to organize Chinatown garment shops in San Francisco, and a Honolulu judge ruled out an all-Caucasian clause in a 1925 trust. A Chicago service committee opened a larger building. Columns on page 6 come from Joseph D. Sasaki and Joe Hamanaka, who visited Tokyo.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Evolution or Revolution, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the turmoil of the times and the ferment of evolution versus revolution in society. He argues JACL’s direction toward wider human interaction and community betterment is correct, and urges members to remake their chapters’ programs.
- Antidote Prescribed, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Outgoing MDC governor Henry Tanaka argues that JACL’s unresponsiveness stems from members’ apathy and failure to develop leaders. He calls for chapters to become relevant to today’s changing society through active involvement in social and political action.
- Matsunaga: Spectre of Future Concentration Camps, by Rep. Spark Matsunaga, page 3. Congressman Spark Matsunaga traces American treatment of immigrants from the Know-Nothings through the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans. He argues Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950 must be repealed to prevent future concentration camps.
- Nisei: the Quiet Americans, by Joseph D. Sasaki, page 6. Joseph Sasaki argues that Nisei have accepted Western enclosed culture rather than contributing Oriental open-system philosophy to American life. He addresses the controversy over Bill Hosokawa’s book title.
- Being Relevant Is Nothing New, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial compares JACL’s current push for relevance to Andrew Jackson’s and Abraham Lincoln’s expansion of democracy. It argues JACL can grow stronger by taking clear moral stands on issues of right and wrong.
- Tokyo Revisited: Looking at Future with Confidence, by Joe Hamanaka, page 6. Joe Hamanaka describes a visit to Tokyo, a city growing upward with new hotels, an expanding airport, and preparations for Expo ’70. He portrays it as a confident, prosperous city with lingering pollution problems.
National
- Unions Plan to Organize Chinatown Garment Shops, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Teamsters and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union announced plans to organize non-union sweatshop garment factories in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The shops have been accused of low wages and substandard conditions, and the city’s Human Rights Commission is investigating.
- Premier Sato’s Trip to U.S. Disclosed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese Prime Minister Sato’s itinerary for his November 1969 visit to the United States was finalized, including talks with President Nixon in Washington. The article lists his schedule and accompanying officials.
Incarceration & Redress
- National City Council Urges Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The City Council of National City, a San Diego suburb, unanimously urged immediate repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950. The resolution termed the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans an example of unjust emergency detention.
- Boxscore on Title II Repeal Support, page 2. JACL chapters received a letter from Dr. Suzuki explaining that the President already has broad constitutional and statutory powers to deal with internal security, so Title II is unnecessary. The article argues that Title II, like the 1942 evacuation, violates due process and that the JACL opposes it.
Community
- Judge Rules Out Racial Clause in 1925 Trust, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Honolulu Circuit Judge Thomas Ogata ruled that an all-Caucasian provision in Eliza Mackenzie’s 1925 trust was no longer tolerable. The ruling opens the estate to her part-Hawaiian grandchildren.
- JASC Opens Expanded Facility in Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American Service Committee moved into a 22,000 square foot building in Chicago after purchasing it. An open house drew hundreds of community members who supported the agency’s fund-raising.
Military & Veterans
- Nisei GI Memorial Service, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The 26th annual Nisei GI memorial service was scheduled to honor fallen veterans at Enmanji Buddhist Temple. Rev. Yukawa from Sacramento was the guest speaker.
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