Opposing the Carswell nomination and repealing Title II

Vol. 70, No. 6, February 13, 1970. 8 pages. View this issue

The February 13, 1970 issue led with JACL’s opposition to Judge G. Harrold Carswell’s nomination to the Supreme Court. National President Jerry Enomoto urged chapters to write their senators, Mike Masaoka reported Rep. Patsy Mink’s testimony against the nomination, and a news story described the telegrams JACL sent with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. The repeal of Title II ran alongside it: Gov. Ronald Reagan spoke against its detention provisions, and Seattle sent 7,000 petition signatures.

Elsewhere in the eight pages, Bill Hosokawa asked whether the Nisei buried part of themselves during the war years, and Dick Gima reviewed Hosokawa’s book Nisei: The Quiet Americans. Ray Okamura profiled Gordon Hirabayashi, Harry K. Honda wrote about the Korematsu decision, and Enomoto thanked Alan Kumamoto for his work with the Jr. JACL. Denver’s bowling tournament and the Chicago ’70 convention schedule also appeared.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Carswell Nomination, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL, as part of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, opposes the Supreme Court nomination of Judge G. Harrold Carswell over his civil rights record. Chapters are urged to contact their senators to register opposition.
• A Little Younger?, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto recounts chapter installation events in Venice-Culver, Pasadena, and Reno, praising the leaders and community members he met. He highlights the Venice-Culver community award to Dr. Harold Harada and the warm hospitality he received.
• Carswell Lacks Understanding of Equality, Says Rep. Mink, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Rep. Patsy Mink testified against Judge Carswell’s Supreme Court nomination, citing his vote against a rehearing in a sex discrimination case. She also noted his 1948 white supremacy statement as cause for concern.
• Supreme Court Editorial and Commentary Series, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This page features news capsules on Japanese American achievements in government, arts, business, and crime. Items include appointments, awards, and community events.
• A Quiet Look at Nisei, by Dick Gima, page 6. Gima reviews Bill Hosokawa’s book Nisei: The Quiet Americans, praising its honest account of Japanese Americans. He questions the use of generational labels and suggests Japanese in America would be more descriptive.
• This Thing Called Education, by Patti Dohzen, page 6. Dohzen reflects on her college experience and the value of genuine learning versus credit accumulation. She describes an Asian American history class she took and the student-driven push for ethnic studies.
• Most Oppressive Opinion, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Honda criticizes the Supreme Court’s Korematsu decision upholding Japanese American removal and notes JACL research aims to invalidate its legacy. He argues this effort serves justice.
• Letters: Year of the Dog, by Frank Fukazawa, page 8. Frank Fukazawa writes in response to a Harry Honda column on the Dog Shogun, clarifying Japanese expressions. He also comments on attitudes toward dogs in Paris and the meaning of ‘inu’.
• Nisei: Quiet Americans Letter, by Bunji Omura, page 8. Bunji Omura responds to Karl Yoneda’s criticism of Hosokawa’s book, arguing the author’s focus on successful Nisei is appropriate. He defends the book’s purpose and its value for future generations.
• Re: Joe Kurihara, by L.G. Yoneda, page 8. Yoneda criticizes a prior tribute to Joe Kurihara, describing his role as a leader of the Black Dragons at Manzanar who intimidated residents. He calls for remembering Issei and Nisei heroes instead.
• The Great Pumpkin, by Dave K. Tani, page 8. Dave Tani offers thanks to Alan Kumamoto, the Great Pumpkin, for his years of service on JACL conventions and Jr. JACL. He praises Kumamoto’s dedication to youth programs.

JACL

• An Acknowledgement, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto acknowledges the resignation of Alan Kumamoto as National JACL Youth Director and credits him with building Jr. JACL and Sansei involvement. Kumamoto remains in a part-time advisory role through the chapter.
• Denver to Host 24th Annual Event from March 2 to 7, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Denver will host the 24th National JACL Bowling Tournament March 2-7 at Celebrity Sports Center, with a Japanese team and Kayoko Suda among the entrants. Bill Hosokawa will speak at the awards dinner and numerous events are planned.
• Essay Contest Theme Announced for Youth, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Essay Contest for 16 to 21 year olds will be held in conjunction with the 1970 Chicago convention. Essays of 800 to 1000 words on JACL planning for the future are due by a deadline in 1970.
• Issue Call for Names Due for Biennium Awards, by Tom Shimasaki, page 1. Deadlines were set for nominations for the Nisei of the Biennium and JACLer of the Biennium awards to be presented at the 1970 national convention. Nominations go to Tom Shimasaki, recognitions committee chairman.

Community

• Progressive Westside Hosts PSWDC Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council will meet Feb. 15 at Pickwick Recreation Center in Burbank, following a Title II repeal fund-raising dinner with Rep. Spark Matsunaga. Progressive Westside JACL is hosting the two-day event.
• Chicago Steps Up, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chicago ’70 convention committees announced the schedule of events for the July national JACL convention, including receptions, opening ceremonies, and the Mike Masaoka testimonial dinner. The program spans the week of July 14-18.
• Human Rights of Man in Uniform Conference Topic, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL will co-sponsor the National Conference on the Human Rights of the Man in Uniform, March 19-22 in Washington, D.C. The conference will cover military justice, political rights, and civil rights of servicemen.
• Seattle JACL Hears Nisei Psychiatrist, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. Lindbergh Sata, a Nisei psychiatrist, addressed the Seattle JACL installation banquet on Nisei commitment to social change. He urged Nisei to engage with Sansei idealism and recover their cultural heritage.

Military & Veterans

• Sansei Helped Design Little Computer Aboard Apollo 11, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Allen Harano, a North Platte Sansei engineer at MIT, helped design the guidance computer used on Apollo 11’s lunar landing. He describes the computer alarms during landing and MIT’s current work on future Mars missions.

National

• Gov. Reagan in Support of Title II Repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Governor Ronald Reagan publicly opposed the detention camp provisions of Title II while addressing a YMCA model legislature in Sacramento. The youth legislature unanimously adopted a resolution seeking repeal of Title II.
• Seattle ACE Sends 7,000 Signatures on Repeal Petition, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman Brock Adams announced he will testify before the House Internal Security Committee on March 16 supporting repeal of the Emergency Detention Act. The Asian Coalition for Equality in Seattle delivered 7,000 signatures on a repeal petition.
• Japanese and Indian Claims Methods Against U.S. Compared, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assistant Attorney General Shiro Kashiwa compared the Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act with the Indian Claims Commission Act at a Washington D.C. JACL installation dinner. He noted the Evacuation Claims Act was smaller in scope and duration.
• Carswell Nomination Opposed by JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL joined the National Leadership Conference on Civil Rights in opposing Judge Carswell’s nomination, sending telegrams to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The organization argues his racist record makes him unqualified for the Supreme Court.
• Tougher Anti-Bias Law Passes in Ann Arbor, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Ann Arbor established a human rights commission with an ordinance covering employment, housing, and public accommodations. It is considered the strongest city anti-discrimination law in the nation.

In-Depth

• Nisei: The Mum Mum?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Hosokawa reflects on criticism from Sansei journalists who view Nisei as having buried part of their personality during camp. He questions whether the Nisei developed full stature and calls for recovering buried cultural ‘swords.’
• Problems of Doing Business in Japan Analyzed, by Allan Beekman, page 8. Beekman reviews a book by Adams and Kobayashi on American business in Japan, tracing feudal roots of Japanese commercial attitudes. He notes the challenges of joint ventures and differing managerial practices.
• The Man Behind a Famous Case – Gordon Hirabayashi, by Ray Okamura, page 8. Okamura profiles Gordon Hirabayashi, whose Supreme Court case challenged wartime curfew and removal orders. Hirabayashi, now a sociology professor in Canada, discussed his resistance and the continuing relevance of Title II repeal.

Arts & Entertainment

• Man to See at Expo ’70 – Hank Gosho, by Fran Chambers, page 4. Seattle-born Hank Gosho directs public affairs for the United States Pavilion at Expo ’70 in Osaka. He describes his wartime service with Merrill’s Marauders and his bilingual career with the U.S. Information Agency.

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