Reflections on the Presidency and the fight over a slur

Vol. 73, No. 2, July 9, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

National JACL President Raymond Uno looked back on his first year in office on the front page, admitting to mixed successes and failures and arguing that the organization is only as strong as its local chapters. Elsewhere in the 6 pages, a Manhattan judge allowed a clothing company to keep using a racial slur as a trademark, and the New York JACL vowed to keep fighting. David Ushio wrote about the varied conditions within the Japanese American community, and Jon Funabiki asked what hate words do to children.

Other news included plans for a national student aid fund, a guide to Asian American studies for chapter presidents, and Little Tokyo redevelopment, where demolition began. Chapters honored scholarship winners, and the 1000 Club charter flight to Japan was nearly full. Bill Hosokawa, Izumi Taniguchi and Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba wrote columns.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Reflections on the Presidency, by Raymond Uno, page 1. JACL President Raymond Uno reflects on his first year in office, acknowledging mixed successes and failures. He argues that the national organization’s strength depends on vigorous local chapters and calls for clearer priorities and better-compensated staff.
• We as Sansei, by David Ushio, page 2. Washington representative David Ushio urges Sansei to recognize the varied conditions within the Japanese American community, from poverty among the aged and youth to the comfortable middle class. He argues that shared heritage of oppression obligates Sansei to commit to justice for all disadvantaged people.
• Japanese inferiority complex root of anti-Black tendencies, by Katsuichi Honda, page 2. Following a May 25 Asahi Shimbun story on racial discrimination against two Black American students in Japan, many apologetic letters were received. The piece examines the underlying causes of anti-Black attitudes in Japan.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa contrasts the evolving office attire in America with restrictions on colored shirts and hot pants in Japanese offices. He concludes with a humorous observation about Japanese culture’s approach to fashion.
• Sansei geneticist says population explosion and pollution concern is a passing fad, by P.C. Staff, page 3. UBC geneticist David Suzuki argues that current concerns about population and pollution are a passing fad while chemical mutagenesis poses long-term risks. He predicts future cloning and tissue-growing advances that will require careful assessment.
• Mainland media still muddled over incanting Sen. Inouye’s illusive name, by Louise Laque, page 3. Washington broadcasters repeatedly mispronounce Senator Daniel Inouye’s surname, which the senator says is pronounced ‘in-no-way.’ Staff recount the amusing and sometimes awkward variations he hears.
• Universal Whing Ding shaping up for Oct. 22 in Tokyo, reservations needed, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 4. The 1000 Club charter flights to Japan will gather for a gala buffet and entertainment event on October 22 at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo. Members must submit advance reservations through travel agents by July 31.
• UC Riverside entomologist-chemist honored as faculty research lecturer, by P.C. Staff, page 4. T. Roy Fukuto, a UC Riverside professor of entomology and chemistry, was named 1972 Faculty Research Lecturer by his colleagues. He is internationally known for research on insecticide mode of action and selective toxicity.
• Shifty Fair Weather Vane, by Izumi Taniguchi, page 5. Izumi Taniguchi recounts speaking to high school classes at Roosevelt High School about the WWII Evacuation, where students reacted with disbelief and some justified the removal. He encourages Nisei parents to share their wartime experiences with their children.
• What’s in a dirty word like bannock for instance?, by Jon Funabiki, page 5. Jon Funabiki argues that hate words like ‘Jap’ transmit hatred to children even when the word’s literal meaning is unknown. He uses the nonsense word ‘bannock’ to illustrate how the cumulative effect of derogatory language shapes self-image.
• U.S.-Japan trade relations scrutinized, by Nobuhiko Ushiba, page 5. Japanese Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba addresses American fears about Japanese economic strength and textile imports, arguing many concerns rest on myths. He calls for both nations to handle trade frictions responsibly to preserve their partnership.

Community

• Matching fund principle urged for Nat’l Student Aid program, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Central California District Council proposed allocating the $4,000 national student aid fund according to each district’s financial contributions. Henry Tanaka supported the plan but suggested a 4-to-1 national match to encourage local fundraising.
• JACL education commission outlines course plan, reading lists, community sources on Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A guide developed by the National JACL Education Committee and partners provides a lesson outline, reading lists, and Los Angeles-area resources on Asian American studies. It will be distributed to all JACL chapter presidents.
• Sacramento State offers ethnic studies degree, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sacramento State College formally established a B.A. in Ethnic Studies with an Asian American concentration, led by Prof. Tohru Yamanaka. The program grew from student-driven efforts starting in fall 1969.
• Anti-JACL feelings among Nisei hurt Japanese American Research Project, by Izumi Taniguchi, page 2. Dr. Robert Wilson of JARP told an ASPAC panel that funding is lacking for interviews with pioneer Issei, whose numbers are dwindling. He attributed difficulty collecting information partly to anti-JACL sentiment among many Nisei.
• Central Cal Nisei orchardists form self-defense measures against threats, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Nisei tree fruit growers in Central California organized area groups in response to violent United Farm Workers picketing and property damage. They maintain that workers should choose unionization through secret ballot elections.
• Loophole said cause some labor problems, welfare, illicit narcotics, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Assemblyman Dixon Arnett told a congressional subcommittee that federal immigration law loopholes allow employers to hire illegal aliens, displacing citizens in low-paying agricultural jobs. Chicano representatives objected to the hearing’s process and to terms like ‘alien’ and ‘wetback’.
• Little Tokyo Redevelopment project gains national recognition, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A telegram from HUD Secretary Romney supporting the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project was delivered late to Al Hatate of LTCDAC. Demolition of several buildings began in late June as project officials marked the occasion.
• Detroit presents first chapter scholarships, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit Parent Booster Club hosted a party for Detroit Jr. JACL high school graduates, with JACL scholarships presented to Elaine Nagano and Deborah Horikawa. Guests included the JACL chairman-elect and other officers.
• Puyallup Valley honors college, prep grads, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Puyallup Valley JACL honored area graduates at its June 12 banquet, awarding chapter scholarships to Cary Takami and Janice Ikeda. Dr. Franklin Thompson delivered the main address.
• JACL joins Asian groups in Detroit festival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Detroit JACL joined Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and East Indian groups in planning the Far Eastern Festival on the downtown riverfront. The JACL will run five booths featuring Japanese merchandise and food.
• 200 West L.A. CLers at coronation steak bake, by Kiyo Nomura, page 4. Over 200 West Los Angeles JACL members and friends attended a steak barbecue at Cheviot Hills Park, where 1970 Miss WLA crowned Diane Takei as the 1971 queen. The chapter also announced upcoming events.
• Redevelopment continued: demolition underway, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Demolition of buildings on E. 2nd St. in Little Tokyo began with a ceremony in late June, though brick-by-brick razing of the old Shin Nichibei plant has been delayed. Several bricks damaged in the February earthquake were distributed as souvenirs.

Sports

• Track marks fall in S.F. Olympics as Orange County paces, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Orange County JACL won the open division at the 19th annual San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics, setting several records. Berkeley retained the NCWNDC overall championship.
• Nissan Motor defying Arab boycott, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Anti-Defamation League credited Los Angeles Datsun distributor Fred Miller with helping persuade Nissan to pursue an Israeli distributorship despite the Arab boycott. Toyota, by contrast, has refused to consider Israel as a market.
• Few seats still open on PSWDC charter flight, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Members of the PSWDC 1000 Club charter flight to Japan held a briefing session at the Statler-Hilton, with only a few seats remaining. Ted Kojima, Downtown L.A. JACL president and Pan-Am representative, addressed the group.

National

• Charge of discriminatory grades system by U.W. professor denied, by Post Intelligencer, page 2. University of Washington officials rejected a Black Student Union charge that sociology professor Pierre van den Berghe discriminated against minority students in grading. Provost Solomon Katz defended the Educational Opportunity Program’s admissions and results.
• Chinese Arizonan in race for national Legion command, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Tucson businessman Soleng Tom is seeking support as Arizona’s candidate for national commander of the American Legion. He is the first Chinese American with ambitions for that high office in the organization.
• Judge allows business use of anti-Nisei racial slur, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Manhattan Supreme Court justice refused to bar the use of the word ‘Jap’ as a clothing trademark, ruling the JACL showed no irreparable damage. The New York JACL vowed to continue the fight and plans information pickets.
• Federal judge denies Chinese in school case, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A federal judge denied a request by three Chinese American families to intervene in a San Francisco school desegregation suit. He found no merit in their claim of unfair treatment in the desegregation plans.
• Brazil pays Issei for WW2 store damages, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A Japanese immigrant whose Brazilian store was damaged by a mob during World War II will receive about $7,000 in government compensation. The award followed a claim involving the New York JACL and related legal efforts.

Incarceration & Redress

• Milwaukee JACL’s gift to Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Milwaukee JACL and Jr. JACL contributed funds toward a turn-of-the-century Japanese house and garden in the new Circumpolar and Oriental Wing of the Milwaukee Museum. Visitors can walk through the garden and house to view displayed treasures.

Military & Veterans

• Allan Beekman review: The Prisoner and the Bomb, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews Laurens van der Post’s slim volume recounting a POW’s perspective on the Hiroshima bombing. The book explores the prisoners’ despair and their understanding of Japanese captors’ psychology.

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