Bowling, dues and intermarriage: JACL looks inward in May 1974

Vol. 78, No. 21, May 31, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue

JACL’s own policies drew the most attention in this six-page issue. A resolution from the Seattle JACL, adopted at the Portland convention, called for removing discriminatory practices toward members, and it set off debate over the bowling tournament’s restriction to Japanese Americans. Henry Tanaka took up the question of priorities in his Nikkei View column, and Harry Honda reported on a census plan to improve intermarriage statistics, backed by the Pacific Southwest District Council.

The opinion page ran letters from Roy T. Imura on historical markers at Topaz and Manzanar, James Oda on chapter dues set in 1933, and David T. Kagiwada in support of Norman Mineta for Congress. Bill Hosokawa wrote From the Frying Pan. Hibakusha testified in Los Angeles, and Yoichi Okamoto spoke to the DC JACL about photographing President Lyndon Johnson.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Non-bias policy inside JACL eyed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL proposed a resolution calling for JACL to pursue every avenue to eliminate discriminatory policies toward its members, which was adopted by the National Council at the Portland convention. The resolution spurred discussion about the bowling tournament’s restriction of participation to Japanese Americans and the broader meaning of inclusion within JACL.
• Fire commissioner rapped for use of ethnic slur, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL Midwest Regional Director Thomas Hibino criticized Chicago fire commissioner Robert Quinn for using a slur and questioning height requirements. Hibino argued the remarks were discriminatory.

National

• PSWDC supports census report plan to boost intermarriage statistics, by Harry Honda, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council supported a census report on intermarriage, which shows Japanese American intermarriage rates varying by region and age. The article notes that the census data provides a clearer picture of Japanese American intermarriage than earlier estimates.
• Higher social security asked for those delaying retirement from 65-72, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Fong introduced a bill to provide a 6.5 percent annual increase in Social Security benefits for individuals who delay retirement between ages 65 and 72. The article argues the current 1 percent increment falls short of real equity.

Incarceration & Redress

• Appeals court sustains rule for Nikkei in illegal alien case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a San Diego decision requiring that charges against two Japanese foremen for harboring illegal aliens be dropped so the defendants’ witnesses could testify. The ruling affirms a defendant’s right to have witnesses available.
• Hibakusha appeal for aid, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki testified in Los Angeles seeking state medical aid for radiation sickness. They described ongoing health needs and urged funding for treatment.

Community

• Kenneth Young Hee Choy sentenced for impersonating Senate investigator, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Kenneth Young Hee Choy was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to impersonating a staffer of Sen. Daniel Inouye’s subcommittee while attempting to collect a debt. The article covers the court proceedings.
• Acute leukemia victim of eight years saved by treatment no longer in use, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Joan Aoki, 23, has survived eight years with acute leukemia, a rare outcome given the typical survival rate of about one year. Her treatment in an isolation tent at Memorial Hospital, now abandoned, is described as the reason for her survival.
• Okamoto enthralls DC JACL audience, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Yoichi Okamoto, personal photographer for President Lyndon Johnson, described his career and showed slides to a Washington D.C. JACL audience. He recounted taking over 675,000 photographs during Johnson’s presidency.
• Cleveland JACL opens student grant program, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cleveland JACL scholarship committee announced a student grant program of up to $500 for chapter family members. The program will consider need broadly, including families with moderate incomes.
• Miss Sansei Teen coronation ball July 20, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seven candidates are competing for Miss Sansei Teen of California, to be crowned at a July 20 ball in Los Angeles. The winner receives a $1,000 prize.
• San Mateo JACL polls membership on dues issue, by P.C. Staff, page 5. San Mateo JACL board polled members on whether to establish a separate chapter-support dues of $30 to fund local programs. The current $10 dues leave little for chapter operations.
• Four hundred enjoy Cortez JACL picnic at Hagaman Park, by P.C. Staff, page 5. About 400 people attended the annual Cortez JACL picnic at Hagaman Park, with races, volleyball, and horseshoes. Volunteers coordinated food and activities for the day.

Commentary

• Nikkei View: Priorities, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. Henry Tanaka discusses JACL priorities and the organization’s commitment to social justice and equality. He addresses the bowling tournament controversy and the broader question of racial distinctions within JACL.
• Open invitation, by Harry Honda, page 2. A reader responds to an earlier letter about a Sacramento PCYA program and describes a seminar that brought young people together with government officials. The writer disputes characterizations of Japanese Americans as biased and invites further dialogue.
• A Buried Past: a bibliography, by Asian American Studies Center, page 2. A review of the bibliography A Buried Past by Yasuhara, which catalogs historical materials on Japanese Americans held at UCLA. The article examines its coverage of Issei immigrant materials and the field of Japanese American studies.
• Marker at Topaz, by Roy T. Imura, page 2. Roy Imura argues for historical markers at Topaz and Manzanar to commemorate the wartime incarceration. He discusses how Japanese Americans demonstrated loyalty and citizenship.
• Intermarriage, by Hashime Saito, page 2. Letter writers respond to views on intermarriage and cultural identity among Japanese Americans. The correspondents discuss whether intermarried families should be considered part of the community.
• About JACL chapter dues, by James Oda, page 2. A reader points out that JACL chapter dues set in 1933 have not kept pace with inflation and suggests raising them. He argues the current amount cannot cover basic chapter operating costs.
• Mineta for Congress, by David T. Kagiwada, page 2. A letter writer argues it is essential to have Japanese Americans in Congress and supports Norman Mineta’s candidacy. The letter discusses political representation for the community.
• Reader letter on Japanese American identity, by Clifford I. Uyeda, page 2. A letter writer responds to remarks about Japanese Americans and their place in society, reflecting on identity and generational change.
• Pacific Citizen letters on Japanese Americans and government, by Ray Yasuhara, page 2. Correspondents respond to articles about Japanese American civic participation and the role of community organizations.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa discusses a government survey on how Japanese view themselves and others, and notes changing attitudes in Taiwan toward Japan. He also describes a customs classification issue involving pantyhose.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei veteran honored, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Nisei veteran was recognized for service in the community. The article covers the honor and the veteran’s contributions.

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