JACL youth, civil rights and Asian American funding in 1971

Vol. 72, No. 21, May 28, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL President Raymond Uno opened the issue with a report on the youth program after meetings in Santa Barbara, where regional gaps, leadership needs and funding were discussed, and he argued the program needs the full commitment of the organization. Dr. Price M. Cobbs, a black psychiatrist, urged oppressed groups to unite against racism, while the Third World Coalition’s request for United Bay Area Crusade funds was rejected and Sacramento Asian groups sought Crusade support of their own. Mike Masaoka wrote on delays in the Title II repeal and paid tribute to Harold Gordon, the only non-Nisei elected to a national JACL office.

Elsewhere on the front page, San Jose Mayor-elect Norman Y. Mineta testified on housing funds, and Rep. Charles Gubser proposed Social Security credit for work done in camp. Opinion pages looked at the Calley verdict, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the Peace Sunday rally in Los Angeles. Masao W. Satow previewed the national convention in Washington.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Raymond Uno Reports on Santa Barbara Youth Program Discussions, by Raymond Uno, page 1. JACL President Raymond Uno discusses the state of the JACL youth program following meetings in Santa Barbara, noting regional gaps, leadership needs, and funding concerns. He argues that the youth program requires sustained total commitment from the entire JACL organization.
• JAL-JACL Summer Fellowships: 4 Californians Named Winners, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four JACL members, including teachers and a ministerial student, were named winners of the 1971 JAL-JACL summer fellowships to study in Tokyo. The fellowship age limit was changed to 21 to 30 with priority for those who have never been to Japan.

National

• Interests of Black and Japanese Americans Same, Erasing Racism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Price M. Cobbs, a black psychiatrist, addressed the Northern California-Western Nevada-Idaho District Council in San Jose, urging all oppressed groups to unite against racism. He drew parallels between the Japanese American WWII experience and the ongoing struggle of minorities.
• United Crusade Rejects Third World Plea for Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Third World Coalition’s demand for a $1.25 million allocation from the United Bay Area Crusade was rejected, with longtime agencies protesting the reallocation. The coalition had sought funds for minority community programs in the Bay Area.
• Mayor-elect Mineta in Push for Housing Funds, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Mayor-elect Norman Y. Mineta testified before a House appropriations subcommittee requesting $100 million in additional urban housing and model cities funds. The committee gave a negative response, citing pending appropriations.
• No Visitor Visa Plan Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Hiram Fong introduced legislation to eliminate visitor visa requirements for citizens of designated countries to boost tourism and the balance of payments. The bill would let the Secretary of State waive visas based on reciprocity.
• Rep. Mink Declares Vietnamization Not Solution in Peace Sunday Message, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink sent a telegram supporting a Los Angeles Asian American peace rally, declaring Vietnamization an immoral policy and calling for negotiated peace and a cease-fire. She argued that continued bombing after troop withdrawal was unacceptable.

Community

• Sacramento Asians Seek Crusade Funding, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sacramento Asian groups, including the Sacramento JACL, sought United Crusade endorsement and funding for Asian Services serving elderly and recent immigrants. The chapter president argued existing Crusade agencies were inadequate for the Asian community.
• Salt Lakers Support Peace Garden Gate, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 120 contributors have raised $1,000 toward a Japanese Garden Gate project at the Japanese Peace Garden in Jordan Park, Salt Lake City. The goal is $5,000 to construct a torii at the entrance.
• PSWDC Rids Confab Format for Routine Quarterly Session, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council held a streamlined quarterly session in National City hosted by San Diego JACL, forgoing its usual biennial convention format. Business included recommendations on student loans, a visual communications funding allocation, and a drug abuse conference.
• CCDC Breaks Mark in Membership; National Tops 22,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL membership reached 22,351 paid members, with 18 chapters setting all-time highs. Central California District led with a record 1,497 members.
• Inner-City Children Unable to Read Succeed When Chinese Words Used, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A University of Pennsylvania psychology experiment found that children with reading disabilities learned English words when presented as Chinese characters. The novelty of logographs and one-to-one tutoring contributed to the success.
• Haoles in Hawaii Comprise 38.8%, by Richard Gima, page 1. A Census Bureau report shows Caucasians make up 38.8 percent of Hawaii’s 1970 population, up from 32 percent in 1960. Population growth was concentrated almost entirely on Oahu.
• Hawaii-Japan Phone-TV Via Satellite Succeeds, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A satellite-based picture telephone linkup between Honolulu and Tokyo was reported successful, described as the world’s first such connection. The Japanese International Radio and Cable Service reported an extremely good picture quality.
• Long Beach Nisei Seized in Drug Arrest, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five people, including a Long Beach Nisei, were arrested after narcotics investigators raided two homes in the Harbor area. The suspects were charged with involvement in drug sales.
• Alameda JACL Antes $350 for New Books Push, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Alameda JACL committed $350 to develop new grade school curriculum materials telling the Japanese American story affirmatively. The chapter sought support from other NC-WNDC chapters to raise $10,000 in seed money.

In-Depth

• How Stereotype Evolves, Subject of Dr. Ogawa Book, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Dennis Ogawa’s book From Japs to Japanese examines how Japanese American stereotypes evolved, including servile gardener and housemaid images. He argues Japanese Americans should develop their own identity rather than imitate either Japan or the Anglo mainstream.

Incarceration & Redress

• Social Security Credit for Work in Camp Asked, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Charles Gubser introduced legislation providing Social Security wage credits to Japanese Americans for work performed in WRA relocation centers. He argued the pay was low and the detainees were penalized for labor that kept the camps running.

Commentary

• Title II Repeal Slowdown, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports that House Rules Committee Chairman William Colmer appears to be delaying action on Title II repeal legislation. He compares the competing bills H.R. 820 and JACL-backed H.R. 234 and explains the chairman’s reluctance may relate to Chairman Ichord’s hearings.
• Practice of Koden, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column explores the Japanese custom of koden, monetary funeral offerings, and its role as a form of mutual burial insurance. The author suggests a guide to proper koden etiquette would benefit younger generations.
• Ethnic Jokes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The column observes that minority groups’ hypersensitivity has given comedians of minority backgrounds a near monopoly on ethnic humor. It questions the double standard in reactions to jokes told by different groups.
• Equality for All, by David Ushio, page 5. Ushio, a Washington JACL staffer, reflects on lunch with Leadership Conference on Civil Rights director Mary Caplan and JACL’s founding role in the coalition. He argues traditional civil rights organizations remain vital alongside more confrontational protest movements.
• Capital Scene: Equality for All, by David Ushio, page 5. Ushio describes the history of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, formed in 1949 with JACL as a charter member. He notes its role in passing major civil rights laws including the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• Convention Chairman: We Go to Washington, by Masao W. Satow, page 5. Satow, the convention chairman, outlines plans for the biennial JACL convention in Washington June 28-July 1, including Congressional visits and social events. The column previews the four-day schedule.
• Lt. Calley Issue, by Robert M. Takasugi, page 5. Takasugi lists observations on the Calley conviction, including presidential intervention and support for Calley as a scapegoat. He argues the case reflects a deeper societal immorality requiring serious examination.
• On Second Thought: Peace Sunday, by Warren Furutani, page 5. Furutani reflects on the May 16 Los Angeles Peace Sunday demonstration, noting its largely Nisei audience and diverse program of speeches and performances. He describes it as a unique peace demonstration.

Obituaries

• Harold Gordon, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka pays tribute to Harold Tokuzo Gordon of Chicago, the only non-Nisei ever elected to a national JACL office and a longtime champion of redress legislation. Gordon was honored as a JACL gold medallion recipient and given a Japanese name by his associates.
• Harold R. Gordon Dies; Jimmie Y. Higashi Also Passes, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Harold R. Gordon, the only non-Nisei elected to a national JACL office, died of cerebral hemorrhage in Chicago. Jimmie Y. Higashi, a former Southern California JACL regional director, died of leukemia at age 51.

Military & Veterans

• Tragedy of a War Criminal, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Commentary on the Calley verdict for the My Lai massacre examines presidential intervention, the public response, and the sale of pro-Calley songs. The column argues the case reveals a broader moral crisis in the nation.

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