A $250,000 JACL building and a racial slur aimed at Senator Inouye

Vol. 77, No. 7, August 17, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL’s plan for a national headquarters building led this issue. The National Board recommended raising the building fund goal from $175,000 to $250,000 to pay for a three-story headquarters, and chapter polling showed strong support. The front page also reported on Senator Daniel Inouye, honored at a Hawaii testimonial dinner after his Watergate hearing role, where he addressed John Wilson’s remark calling him a racial slur. Gail Nishioka answered that remark in a letter explaining why the word carries painful wartime associations.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa recalled a 1936 summer in an Alaska salmon cannery, and Don Hayashi wrote about defining Asian American identity after a conference in San Jose. Dr. Otto Turduta described a radio call-in show on the Evacuation, and a 1945 WRA report on camp slang was reprinted. The Fresno JACL announced a 50th anniversary dinner on Sept. 29. This six-page issue also carried news on Hawaii’s Kam Schools.

What’s in this issue

National

• Need $250,000 for JACL Bldg., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Board recommended raising the building fund goal from $175,000 to $250,000 to fund a three-story national headquarters building. Chapter polling showed strong support for the plan.
• Away a Day From Watergate, by Shig Sugiyama, page 1. Senator Daniel Inouye was honored at a Hawaii testimonial dinner after his Watergate hearing role, and he addressed the Wilson remark calling him ‘a little Jap.’ Attendees and officials across the country reacted to the slur.

Commentary

• Evacuation Camp Vocabulary, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A 1945 WRA report catalogs evacuee slang and hybrid Japanese-English terms used in camp life, from Issei expressions to Nisei slang. The editor notes the terms capture the unique culture of the centers.
• Japan’s Economy vs. Nikkei, by Dr. Izumi Taniguchi, page 2. The EDC Governor argues that the health of the US economy, not only Japan’s success, will determine how Japanese Americans are treated. He warns that unemployment and trade tensions could revive anti-Japanese hostility.
• Letter to the Editor: Use of ‘Jap’, by Gail Nishioka, page 2. The JACL National Executive Director responds to John Wilson’s remark about Senator Inouye, explaining why the term ‘Jap’ carries painful wartime associations. He argues the slur is incompatible with pluralism and respect for ethnic differences.
• Bilingualism, by Hikari, page 2. The writer examines federal bilingual education legislation and argues that definitions of who qualifies for bilingual programs are too narrow. Language minorities beyond Spanish speakers need support and recognition.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recalls his 1936 summer working in an Alaska salmon cannery at Snug Harbor, remembering the crew and their music. He reflects on how the people from that season scattered in the years that followed.
• Asian American Awareness, by Don Hayashi, page 4. Hayashi reflects on the Asian American Studies Conference in San Jose and the challenge of defining pan-Asian identity. He argues JACLers must help educators and students develop thoughtful, pluralistic perspectives.

Incarceration & Redress

• A Topic of Misconception, by Dr. Otto Turduta, page 2. The author describes a radio call-in discussion of the Evacuation and federal funds in which callers asked about repayment and misconceptions about German and Italian internment. The program offered an opportunity to correct myths about the incarceration.
• Ruling Hits Private Schools; Not All-Chinese Institutions Affected, by P.C. Washington Bureau, page 3. A federal judge in Virginia ordered two private schools to stop racially discriminating against black applicants under an 1866 civil rights law. The ruling may affect other segregated private schools, and the decision will be appealed.

Community

• Takabuki Case / Kam Schools Ruling May Affect Hawaii Schools, by Allan Reekman, page 3. The article reports on the Takabuki case and a federal ruling that could remove tax exemptions from Hawaii’s Kam Schools over racially restrictive admissions. Justice Abe had earlier called the policies unconstitutional.
• Power Ski Corporation, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Power Ski Corporation announced an offering of common stock for its own account.
• Fresno JACL to Celebrate Silver Jubilee at Gala Sept. 29 Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fresno JACL, the oldest continuously existing JACL chapter, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a dinner. Organizers are soliciting photos for an anniversary booklet.
• West Valley JACL Purchases Home, by Walt Osaki, page 4. The West Valley JACL chapter purchased a home for its use. The article describes the chapter’s membership drive and community activities.
• Seattle JACL Donates to Arboretum Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL voted to contribute $100 toward reconstruction of the Japanese teahouse destroyed by fire at the University of Washington arboretum. The city council set up a special account to accept donations.
• Japanese Prime Minister Greeted at S.F. Reception, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka attended a San Francisco dinner where he hailed progress on US-Japan trade balance and urged continued dialogue. Consul General Maeda hosted an informal farewell dinner the following day.

Military & Veterans

• Hawaii Lures More Japan Women Tourists, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Japanese women tourists visiting Hawaii increased, according to travel reports. The article covers the trend in tourism between Japan and Hawaii.

Obituaries

• Lawrence T. Kagawa, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Lawrence T. Kagawa, a pioneer in the insurance industry serving Oriental Americans, died at age 89. He was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun in 1972.
• Thomas Kohachiro Takeshite, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Thomas Kohachiro Takeshite, 82, of Washington, D.C., died after a two-month illness. He was an early leader in the redress and civil rights movement and worked on JACL-ADC efforts.

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