Mental health and Operation Zebra: the May 3, 1974 issue

Vol. 78, No. 17, May 3, 1974. 6 pages. View this issue

Henry Tanaka, then National President, opened the issue with a column on mental health among Asian Americans, noting how little research existed and urging JACL to help shape culturally appropriate care. The front page also carried JACL National Director David Ushio’s statement that San Francisco’s “Operation Zebra” manhunt threatened constitutional rights, a parallel he drew to the wartime incarceration (often called internment) of Japanese Americans. Page 3 followed the Bay Area response to the manhunt.

Elsewhere, a Portland preview invited delegates to the July national convention, three banks pledged $10,000 each to the JACL Building Fund, and membership passed 20,000. Bill Hosokawa reviewed a children’s book on the Canadian removal of Japanese Canadians, Joe Oyama described a road trip to New York, and chapter news came from Riverside, Sonoma County, Tulare County, Florin and Seattle. A proposed monument for the Crystal City camp in Texas appeared on page 6.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• On Mental Health, by Henry Tanaka, page 1. National President Henry Tanaka examines the cultural dimensions of mental health among Asian Americans and the lack of research on the subject. He argues JACL should contribute its knowledge to developing culturally appropriate alternative care programs.
• Rebuttals and a Reply, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Several Seattle JACL members rebut a Joe Hamanaka article about fundraising, objecting to its inflammatory tone and his claim to speak for the chapter. Hamanaka replies that he speaks only as an individual and defends his right to express opinions.
• Letters from Our Readers, page 2. Readers respond to recent PC coverage, including a Brightwood PTA parent letter on school facility inadequacies and a letter asking for suggestions on Japanese American community concerns. The letters reflect differing views on how JACL should address discrimination and public relations.
• Bill Hosokawa: From the Frying Pan — A Child in a Prison Camp, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reviews Shizuye Takashima’s children’s book ‘A Child in a Prison Camp,’ a memoir of the Canadian evacuation of Japanese Canadians. He compares the Canadian experience of isolated mountain villages with the American relocation camps.
• Japan Today, by Richard Gime, page 5. A book review of Richard Gime’s ‘Japan Today’ examines contemporary Japanese society and culture. The review provides an overview of the book’s perspective on modern Japan.

Community

• A City of Dividends: Portland Invites JACL Convention Visitors, page 1. A convention preview highlights Portland’s attractions, including Mount Hood, the Columbia Gorge, Timberline Lodge, and razor clamming on the Oregon coast. It encourages delegates to extend their stay in Oregon before or after the July national convention.
• Three Banks Donate $10,000 Each to JACL Building Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Bank of Tokyo, Sanwa Bank, and Sumitomo Bank of California each pledged $10,000 to the JACL Building Fund. The contributions will support construction of the headquarters’ lobby and entrance foyer.
• Bay Area Community Condemns Police Manhunt, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bay Area JACL chapters and the Asian Law Caucus condemned Operation Zebra, the San Francisco police manhunt, as racially targeted and unconstitutional. A federal judge later issued a permanent injunction against the police procedure.
• Caldwell Postmaster Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Caldwell postmaster was honored in recognition of his service. The item is brief and reports the local recognition.
• Seattle JACL Installs New Officers, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Seattle JACL chapter held its installation of new officers with Dr. Charles Z. Smith of the University of Washington Law School as speaker. Past president Ben Nakagawa was also recognized at the event.
• Chapter Pulse: Riverside JACL Sets Up Student Loan Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Riverside JACL established an educational loan fund using a $1,000 contribution from the Riverside Japanese Union Church. Loans are repayable once recipients are employed.
• Sonoma County Names Three for $200 Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sonoma County JACL announced three scholarship awards of $200 each to Petaluma High School students. The awardees were selected from funds provided by the JACL and the former Petaluma Sunday School.
• Tulare County Airs Newsletter Policy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Tulare County JACL discussed its policy on publishing unsigned letters in the chapter newsletter at its April meeting. The chapter also announced a Japanese movie night fundraiser and opposed raising national JACL dues on individuals.
• Florin Re-elects Dr. David Asahara, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Dr. David Asahara was re-elected to a third term as president of the Florin JACL chapter. Other officers for 1974 were also installed.
• James Fukumoto Appointed HRC Executive Director, by P.C. Staff, page 4. James Fukumoto, a New York Model Cities administrator, was appointed executive director of the San Diego Human Relations Commission. He succeeds Floyd Wilson and begins his two-year contract May 15.
• L.A. City Closes Its Human Relations Bureau, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Los Angeles Mayor Bradley announced the city’s Human Relations Bureau will not be funded for fiscal 1975. The commission will continue to meet on an as-needed basis to study human relations concerns.
• Yamato Employment Agency Ads and Job Notices, page 5. Classified and employment listings in this section include job openings and placement services for the Japanese American community. These are primarily advertisements and do not contain editorial content.
• Canadian Japanese Community News, page 5. News items from the Canadian Japanese community cover local events and developments in Canada. Content is drawn from the New Canadian publication.
• Leadership Conference Marks 25th Anniversary, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, which JACL helped found, celebrated its 25th anniversary in January. The coalition of 135 organizations continues to press for enforcement of civil rights laws and addresses emerging issues.
• Nisei Architect Finds Use for Old Gas Stations, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Seattle architects Gerald Kumata and Robert Mesher propose redesigning closed gas stations, made idle by the energy crisis, into restaurants, clinics, and offices. They note the existing parking and structures make conversion economical.
• Residence Center Sought for Aged Issei in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Japanese American Help for the Aging (JAHFA) in New York is seeking donations to establish a community center and residence for elderly Issei. The group is pursuing a building on West 9th Street and other possible locations.
• Monument for Crystal City Camp in Texas Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A monument is proposed to commemorate the Crystal City internment camp in Texas where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. Organizers are seeking community support for the project.
• BCA Project Traces 75-Year History of Issei Buddhist Temples, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A two-volume history of the Buddhist Churches of America’s first 75 years is being published, with prepublication orders accepted until May 31. The first volume covers early Issei pioneers and missionaries, while the second contains photographs from the anniversary celebration.
• Hitch-Hiker Befriended, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Kozo Tada, a Japanese hitchhiker crossing the country from Portland to New York, was befriended by Memphis legislators who hosted him. The story highlights the generosity he encountered despite a language barrier.

National

• ‘Operation Zebra’ Reminds JACL of 1942 Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National Director David Ushio condemned San Francisco police procedures in the manhunt for the ‘Zebra Killer’ as threatening constitutional rights. The statement draws a parallel to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans.
• ABC-TV Movie ‘Men of the Dragon’ Draws Criticism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Asian American organizations in Los Angeles criticized the ABC television movie ‘Men of the Dragon’ for stereotypical portrayals of Asians in martial arts roles. The Asian American Coalition for Fair Media is seeking to prevent its release.
• Tighter U.S. Policy Seen Reducing Number of Foreign Students, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New State Department visa policies may sharply reduce foreign student enrollment in U.S. colleges, limiting attendance to wealthier students. Summer job permits for foreign students are also being restricted to protect opportunities for American youth.
• Supreme Court Declines Rule on Reverse Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Supreme Court declined to rule on the constitutionality of university admissions policies favoring minorities in the DeFunis case, finding the issue moot. The JACL had joined an amicus brief supporting the university’s admissions program.
• Hanford’s China Alley, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pacific Telephone directory cover for Kings and Tulare Counties features Hanford’s China Alley, a historic Chinese community whose buildings are being restored by descendants. The item notes the community once had over 500 Chinese residents.

JACL

• Manuscripts of JACL-JARP Books Being Prepared, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JARP executive committee reviewed progress on publications for the JACL-Japanese American Research Project collection, including Dr. Robert Wilson’s history of the Japanese in the United States. The committee also met with UCLA administrators regarding the scholarly history project.
• JACL Washington Representative Applications Accepted Until May 31, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL is accepting applications until May 31 for the position of Washington Representative, succeeding Barry Saiki. The candidate will be interviewed in mid-June with the appointment expected by July 1.
• National Membership Tops 20,000 Level, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL membership surpassed 20,000 as of the end of March, with 59 chapters reporting. Eight chapters have already exceeded their membership goals for the year.
• James Oyama Among Award Winners at Governor’s Committee Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Boise Valley JACL member James Oyama received the American Legion Award for employment of the handicapped at a Governor’s Committee meeting. Governor Cecil Andrus spoke on the importance of hiring people with disabilities.

Military & Veterans

• Pacific Citizen 1949 Question on Resource Material, page 2. A reader requests resource material on wartime treatment of Japanese Americans for a research paper on the subject. The response references the Pacific Citizen archives from the 1940s.
• 30-Year Debate of ‘Direct Hit’ Off Oregon Coast by Japanese Sub Ends, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Journalist Bert Webber concluded that a supposed sinking of a Japanese submarine off the Oregon coast in 1941 was not accomplished, as the B-25 bombers likely struck an oil slick instead. The research challenges a longstanding claim credited to Army Air Corps officers.

Arts & Entertainment

• Aloha from Hawaii, page 5. A book review of ‘Jan Ken Po,’ a publication by the Japanese American Research Center in Hawaii, celebrates the history and experiences of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans. The book features a foreword by Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
• Occult World of Old Japan in Pictures, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews ‘Japanese Grotesqueries,’ compiled by Nikolas Klejis, a collection of traditional Japanese supernatural illustrations drawn largely from Hokusai’s work. The book sorts the creatures into categories such as ghosts, monsters, and demons.
• Minority Head Count in Film Industry Up, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Employment of minorities in the motion picture and television industry rose sharply since 1965, according to figures released by the Association of Motion Picture and TV Producers. Asian Americans are among the groups reflected in the increase.

In-Depth

• Through Pennsylvania to Manhattan, by Joe Oyama, page 6. Joe Oyama recounts a personal road trip through Pennsylvania to New York City, describing encounters along the way. He reflects on the experience of traveling as a person of Asian ancestry in the 1970s.

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