Seattle schools, the census and JACL membership, and the Emergency Detention Act repeal

Vol. 73, No. 19, November 5, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL membership and the census opened the issue, in a front-page column by National JACL President Raymond Uno, who asked why the organization had no chapter in Hawaii and argued for a broader base. Seattle schools drew the most news. After a confrontation at Franklin High School, the superintendent agreed to Asian demands for administrators, counselors and bilingual staff, and the Seattle JACL board endorsed a multi-ethnic curriculum. The repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act, which sustained Truman’s veto 21 years later, also ran on the front page.

Other pages carried Harry K. Honda on Japanese American population in the census and on the dispute over the textbook ‘The Untold Story’, George Takei on media portrayals, and Marla Kamiya’s rejected graduation speech. Assistant Attorney General Shiro Kashiwa described the Justice Department’s use of the 1899 Refuse Act against polluters, and Rep. Patsy Mink spoke in Honolulu about a possible Oregon primary run.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• 70 Census vs. JACL Membership, by Raymond S. Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno questions why JACL lacks a chapter in Hawaii despite its large Japanese population. He argues that JACL must broaden its membership base to serve all people and strengthen its role as a minority power base.
• The Balance of Goodwill, page 1. The author, co-chairman of the Utah host committee for the 1971 Japanese American Governors Conference, describes the demands of hosting Japanese dignitaries. He reflects on the effort required to maintain goodwill with Japan.
• Perspectives on Information, by David Ushio, page 2. Washington JACL staffer David Ushio reflects on Pacific Citizen editor Harry Honda as an objective, knowledgeable guide to Japanese American history. He describes a Los Angeles visit to a Toyo Miyatake photo exhibit on Manzanar.
• Speech draft by Marla Kamiya, by Marla Kamiya, page 4. Marla Kamiya’s rejected graduation speech argued that American war, prejudice, and inconsistent ideals must be confronted by her generation. The draft calls for compassion and honest examination of the nation’s flaws.
• ABC movie title change and editorial on Japanese American representation, by George Takei, page 4. George Takei praises the retitling of ABC’s film on the wartime evacuation and urges active community response to media portrayals. He argues that positive affirmation is as important as protest.
• Book review: Study in Ainu Culture, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews M. Inez Hilger’s study of the Ainu people of northern Japan. He notes the Ainu are gradually assimilating into the dominant culture.
• Japanese in U.S.—via the census, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor compares Japanese American population distribution across states from 1880 through the 1970 census. He notes Hawaii still leads in Japanese population while New York rose to second place.
• Farm labor issue, by Paul M. Kuroiwa, page 6. Paul Kuroiwa responds to earlier letters on the farm labor dispute, arguing for solidarity among farmworkers and supporting UFWOC’s efforts. He says the cooperative movement brings human dignity to workers.
• A Long Journey, page 6. The column describes law graduate Paolo Raffaelli’s fight for admission to the California State Bar despite being a non-citizen. Raffaelli filed a writ challenging the citizenship requirement under the equal protection clause.
• Restricted Area, by Shig Sugiyama, page 6. A letter from a JACL official discusses removal of restricted-area signs at the Santa Rita site and the campaign to repeal Title II. The writer calls for continued opposition to the Subversive Activities Control Board.
• Hagiwara Fund, by Kathy Kadowaki, page 6. A letter clarifies that the Abe Hagiwara Memorial Fund supports scholarships including computer programming training at Automation Institute. Contribution details are included.
• On Second Thought, by Warren Furutani, page 6. Warren Furutani comments on shifting international relations and China policy and their impact on Asian Americans. The column addresses the significance of changes in diplomatic relations.

Community

• Asian demands for Seattle schools met, page 1. After a black-Asian confrontation at Franklin High School in Seattle, the superintendent agreed to Asian demands including administrators, counselors, and bilingual staff. Students described harassment and language barriers, and community leaders pressed for immediate action.
• Seattle JACL in thick of battle over school problems, page 1. The Seattle JACL chapter has worked with school officials on Asian representation, counselors, and English as a Second Language teachers. Chapter president Dr. Minoru Masuda said the school administration has finally recognized the educational inequities.
• Barren lot transformed into S.F. mini-park, page 1. The Japanese Community Youth Council developed a mini-park on a vacant Nihonmachi lot once occupied by the prewar Kumamoto Hotel. More than 130 volunteers donated labor, funds, and materials to complete the project.
• Asian demands for Seattle schools met, page 2. Continuation of the Franklin High School story reports student and parent testimony on language barriers and harassment. The school district pledged a program to assist up to 1,000 students with limited English.
• Curriculum proposal and Seattle school plans, page 3. The Seattle multi-ethnic curriculum proposal calls for community involvement, advisory committees, and student-teacher programs. It aims to build self-identity among minority students and reduce cross-cultural conflict.

National

• Refuse Act of 1899 effective weapon against bigtime environment polluters, page 1. Assistant Attorney General Shiro Kashiwa says the Justice Department is winning against water polluters using the 1899 Refuse Act. Recent court cases and civil suits against major industries have produced large settlements and stronger compliance.
• Multi-ethnic curriculum in Seattle urged, page 1. The Seattle JACL board endorsed a proposed multi-ethnic curriculum for Seattle public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. The proposal, drafted by the Central Seattle Community Council, emphasizes community input and respect among racial groups.
• Restricting Sansei’s speech ill, page 1. Merced County Counsel ruled that restricting the content of a student graduation speech violates the U.S. Constitution. The ruling responded to a complaint by the Kamiya family over the censorship of their daughter Marla’s eighth-grade speech.
• Patsy airs views like presidential candidate, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink, considering an Oregon presidential primary run, addressed civil rights, school busing, equal employment, and Vietnam in Honolulu speeches. She also criticized the administration and called for a more effective response to government repression.
• MIS veterans may go national to write history, page 1. MIS veterans are planning a national reunion and effort to document their history. Details were not fully covered in the available text.
• Hispano groups form coalition, page 4. Representatives of 12 to 15 million Spanish-speaking Americans met in Washington to form a national coalition against discrimination. A temporary political committee of 53 members was organized.

Military & Veterans

• JACL position on Okinawa reversion already presented, page 1. The JACL submitted its prior statement supporting ratification of the treaty returning Okinawa to Japan to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Washington representative Mike Masaoka said the reasons for reversion remain valid.
• Nisei veterans may go national, page 2. Veterans’ groups discussed plans to take their history to a national audience. Details are limited in the available text.

Incarceration & Redress

• Truman veto finally upheld after 21 years, page 1. Former Speaker John McCormack called passage of the Internal Security Act over Truman’s veto a terrifying mistake. The Congress’s September repeal of Title II effectively sustained Truman’s veto 21 years later.
• Emergency Detention Act repeal sustained, page 3. Coverage of congressional repeal of the Emergency Detention Act of 1950 and the reaction of former Speaker McCormack. The repeal reversed the earlier override of Truman’s veto.
• ‘Untold Story’ leader rebuts JACL decision, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. The Japanese American Curriculum Project continues to seek adoption of its textbook ‘Japanese Americans: The Untold Story’ despite a JACL board decision. Coordinator Florence Yoshiwara argues the controversy has dragged on and defends the revisions made by the authors.

In-Depth

• Japan navy cemetery restored in Makiki, page 3. A plot holding the remains of 16 Japanese naval personnel who died in 1894 was restored as the Japan Navy Cemetery in Honolulu’s Makiki district. A monument and stone lantern will also be erected to honor early Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.

Arts & Entertainment

• Pride & Shame exhibit slated for Olympia, page 3. The Pride and Shame traveling exhibit on Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest will be shown at the Pacific Northwest Ethnic Conference in Olympia. Lectures and panels will accompany the exhibit.
• Orchestra to mark 10th anniversary, page 3. The Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra will mark its tenth anniversary with a concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The orchestra, founded in 1961, has presented 55 concerts and premiered Japanese works.

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