Court rulings on resident aliens and college quotas, and JACL’s search for identity

Vol. 77, No. 22, November 30, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

Questions of civil rights and who counts as a citizen ran through this six-page issue. The front page reported that the Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that U.S. firms may refuse to hire resident aliens, with Justice Thurgood Marshall writing for the majority and Justice William Douglas dissenting. It also reported that the Court agreed to hear the Marco DeFunis Jr. challenge to college admission quotas. Inside, National JACL President Henry Tanaka urged Nisei to help Sansei search for their identity as Japanese Americans, and Bill Hosokawa warned Nikkei to be on guard against rising anti-Japanese feeling.

Other items worth finding: a service flag presented for the Manzanar landmark site at a Los Angeles reunion, Chinese American groups suing over a California bulletin on heroin trafficking, and an oil crisis editorial by Harry K. Honda. Columns by Sachi Seko, Joe Oyama and Helen Kawagoe fill the commentary pages.

What’s in this issue

National

• Supreme Court Rules U.S. Firms May Refuse to Hire Resident Aliens, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that U.S. firms can refuse to hire resident aliens without violating civil rights law on national origin discrimination. Justice Douglas dissented, while Justice Marshall wrote for the majority that Congress did not intend to bar citizenship requirements.
• Supreme Court to Rule on College Quotas, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to college admission quota systems favoring minority applicants, in the case of Marco DeFunis Jr., who was denied admission to the University of Washington law school. The state supreme court had held that schools may consider minority representation in admissions.
• Topeka Schools Still Segregated, Suit Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new lawsuit filed in Topeka, Kansas, nineteen years after Brown v. Board of Education alleges the city still systematically discriminates against black students. Plaintiffs contend some of the city’s 50 public schools remain predominantly black.
• Calif. Criminal Intelligence Bulletin on Chinese Drug Traffic Hit as Racist, by Phil Jordan, page 1. A class action civil rights suit was filed against California Attorney General Evelle Younger by Chinese American groups over a July criminal intelligence bulletin linking Chinese Americans to heroin trafficking. The suit argues the bulletin unfairly stereotyped Chinese Americans and their family associations.
• Federal Judge Orders Racial Hiring Quotas for San Francisco Firemen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A federal judge ordered San Francisco to fill 60 percent of over 200 fire department vacancies with racial minorities, after five years of litigation. Fire Chief Keith Calden opposed the quota as contrary to American tradition and the equal protection clause.
• Patsy Mink Favors Drill-Free Reserve Off Santa Barbara, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii) supported a proposed reserve off-limits to oil drilling extending from Santa Barbara around the Channel Islands. The hearing followed a 1969 offshore oil well blowout in the channel.
• Communication Key to Wider World Trade, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Spark Matsunaga addressed the 12th biennial Japan-America Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Presidents in San Francisco, stressing person-to-person communication for world peace. He also said Japanese investment in Hawaii represents only four percent of total foreign investment there.
• Sound P.R. at Time of Break-in May Have Spared Nixon of Watergate Ills, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Daniel Inouye told the Public Relations Society of America that President Nixon could have avoided Watergate troubles by coming clean immediately after the break-in. He argued that America must approach foreign countries on a more equal basis as its global image has declined.
• Sen. Fong Supports President Nixon, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Hiram Fong said President Nixon should not resign over Watergate and saw no valid grounds for impeachment at this time. He gave three reasons, including that resignation would be seen as a confession and would set a dangerous precedent.

Community

• Gardeners Succeed in Amending Anti-Noise Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. After protest from the Orange County Gardeners Association led by Jack Yamamoto, the board of supervisors voted to exempt power mowers and landscaping equipment from the anti-noise ordinance if they meet noise standards. The earlier proposal would have limited operation to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Chinese Offered in 250 U.S. High Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chinese is now taught to 2,500 students in at least 250 public high schools across 25 states, according to Dr. John B. Tsu of Seton Hall University. Teacher training has been supported by centers at USC, San Francisco State, and Washington University under the National Defense Education Act.
• Hikers Survive Shasta Avalanche, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four climbers, including David Kimura of San Francisco, survived an avalanche on the southwest slope of Mt. Shasta, while a fifth climber remained unfound. The survivors had to swim atop the slide to save themselves.
• Equipment Donated to Keiro Nursing Home, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Central Analytical Laboratory Service Inc. donated $50,000 worth of hospital equipment to Keiro Nursing Home, the largest single donation according to administrator Edwin C. Hiroto. The gift included wheelchairs and hospital beds from a convalescent hospital recently acquired by the owners.
• Nisei Attorneys Help Set Up Plan to Reduce Congestion in L.A. Courts, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A voluntary arbitration program has reduced civil case congestion in Los Angeles Superior Court and saved taxpayer trial costs. Attorneys including Frank F. Chuman and Mark Kiguchi were recognized by the county board of supervisors for serving as arbitrators without pay.
• Asian Americans Conduct Workshops at National Social Studies Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese American educators and community representatives led workshops at the 53rd annual National Council for the Social Studies meeting in San Francisco. Sessions covered ethnic studies, multicultural curriculum, and Asian American experiences, and Executive Order 9066 was displayed.
• Life Expectancy, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese life expectancy rose in 1972 to 70.49 years for males and 75.92 years for females, according to the Health & Welfare Ministry. The increases were 0.32 years for each sex over the prior year.
• Placer County JACL Goodwill Dinner, by Roy Yoshida, page 2. National JACL President Henry Tanaka was keynote speaker at the Placer County JACL annual Goodwill Dinner in Roseville. He urged Nisei to help Sansei search for their identity as Japanese Americans.
• Elder Nisei Must Help Sansei Search for Identity as Japanese Americans, by Roy Yoshida, page 2. Henry Tanaka warned that Sansei may split into groups ranging from conformists to isolationists in their relationship to their heritage. He also cautioned that Nisei risk becoming a scapegoat as a model minority.
• Asian American Groups Support Japanese Language School Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The junior-senior high school departments of the Japanese Language School Kyodo System observed their 20th anniversary in Los Angeles. Classes began in 1953 at the church.
• Sac’to JACLer Opens West Coast Life Office, by P.C. Staff, page 3. West Coast Life Insurance Co. opened a new Sacramento South office managed by William M. Matsumoto, a veteran Sacramento JACLer. Matsumoto has been with West Coast Life for 26 years.
• Seattle Workshop Trains Leaders, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle JACL board members and Asian American Education Association leaders held a leadership training workshop at Nokka Ski Lodge in Crystal Mountain. The workshop emphasized self-awareness, meeting effectiveness, and group dynamics.
• Hosokawa Warns Nikkei to Be on Guard, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Denver Post associate editor Bill Hosokawa spoke at the San Diego JACL 40th anniversary dinner warning of rising anti-Japanese feelings due to Japanese affluence and economic rivalry. He urged continued public relations efforts to distinguish Japanese Americans from Japanese nationals.
• Nisei Invested in Aquatic Vehicle Firm Raises $1,000,000 Capital, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Power-Ski, a motorcycle-style aquatic recreational vehicle invented by Chicago businessman Clyde Ono, has begun production through Power-Ski Corp. The company raised $1,000,000 capital from over 500 shareholders.

Incarceration & Redress

• Service Flag Presented for Manzanar Landmark, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An American flag used to drape the coffin of J.B. Cook, a WRA security officer at Jerome and Tule Lake camps, was donated to be flown over the Manzanar landmark site. The presentation was made at a Los Angeles reunion of Manzanar evacuees.

Commentary

• Oil Crisis Editorial, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The editorial argues that the Arab oil embargo will significantly affect JACL activities and that the organization must adapt as it has historically through personal sacrifice. It also warns Japan’s capitulation to Arab demands on Israel would be extortion rather than durable diplomacy.
• Nisei Identity Dilemma, by Sachi Seko, page 2. Sachi Seko reflects on the renewed relationship between Japan and Japanese Americans and the need for Nisei to approach the past and future with a sense of their own history. She argues dialogue between Nisei and Sansei has been weakened by neglecting their shared Japanese American history.
• ‘Of Me and Prejudice’, by Joe Oyama, page 2. Joe Oyama recounts conversations with violinist John Hellstone about prejudice he experienced in Cincinnati’s conservative musical community. Hellstone also defended Japanese violinists against prejudiced criticism.
• As It Was, by Masao W. Satow, page 3. Masao Satow describes a Japan Air Lines charter tour of Japan, including Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Nagoya, plus bowling-related business. He notes how Japanese inflation and bowling connections with Japan are affecting travel and JACL tournaments.
• From the Frying Pan, by Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa examines how the energy crisis reveals Japan’s dependence on Middle East oil and its fragile economic position. He argues the situation shows the importance of goodwill between nations.
• Letter from Renee Hall: Recognizing Catalysts, by Renee R. Hall, page 3. Renee R. Hall argues that JACL fails to give credit to individuals who initiate projects, citing the failure to recognize Ray Okamura and the committee that began the repeal of Title II. She urges that catalysts receive equal acknowledgment with coordinators and conciliators.
• Gone to Another Meeting, by Helen Kawagoe, page 4. Outgoing Pacific Southwest District Governor Helen Kawagoe reflects on her two years of service and the enriching experiences of visiting chapters. She stresses that volunteer involvement in JACL should be a joyful privilege and calls for greater community engagement.
• Lessons on Japanese Culture from Miyoko Watanabe, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Miyoko Watanabe, a Los Angeles-born teacher of Japanese dance, discussed the need for cultural exchange and international understanding. She noted that many people cannot identify a kimono when they see one.
• Hawaii Today, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A roundup of Hawaii news covering pineapple exports, University of Hawaii construction, a Honolulu crime case, and the Governor’s Office. It also reports on Japanese investment sentiment among residents.
• Kinoshita’s Novel Pillar of Fire, by Joseph Ottenheimer, page 5. A review of Naomi Kinoshita’s 1904 Japanese novel Pillar of Fire, which was written as a serialized response to the Russo-Japanese War. The novel expressed Christian, socialist, and anti-war views that the government sought to suppress.

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