Racism within us and the fight over Nihonmachi evictions

Vol. 79, No. 18, November 1, 1974. 4 pages. View this issue

Racism, and whether Japanese Americans carry it too, was the argument on the front page. Shigeki Sugiyama’s commentary cited the Boston busing conflict and anti-Japanese rhetoric in the Save the Whales campaign, then urged readers to look at their own prejudices first. Beside it, the JACL National Council adopted a resolution opposing the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s eviction of Nihonmachi residents, and CANE Secretary Glenn Omatsu explained on page 3 why the group kept its original wording.

Other items cover Nihonmachi Terrace opening for applicants, Portland groups proposing a downtown community center, Hawaii 442nd veterans returning to Bruyeres for the 30th anniversary of its liberation, and a JACL workshop on textbook evaluation. Page 4 has Kats Kunitsugu’s column on Little Tokyo and Allan Beekman’s review of an Asian and Pacific short story anthology.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Racism Within Us, by Shigeki Sugiyama, page 1. The author argues that racism persists in American society, citing the Boston busing conflict, the Pekin, Illinois mascot controversy, and anti-Japanese rhetoric tied to the Save the Whales campaign. He urges Japanese Americans to examine whether they themselves harbor racial prejudice before challenging others.
• Editor: CANE resolution, by Glenn Omatsu, page 3. CANE Secretary Glenn Omatsu explains why the group rejected George Yamasaki’s proposed wording changes to the Nihonmachi resolution. He argues the original language accurately describes redevelopment abuses, including harassment, unlawful evictions, and misuse of public funds.

National

• Language stays in resolution offered by CANE to Nat’l JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL National Council adopted a resolution opposing the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s eviction of Nihonmachi residents, calling for congressional review of urban renewal. The language was retained after negotiations with George Yamasaki Jr. over proposed wording changes.
• Mitose gets life for role in karate killing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Karate instructor James Mitose received a life sentence for orchestrating the murder of strawberry grower Frank Namimatsu. Additional concurrent sentences were imposed for conspiracy, extortion, and grand theft.
• Alien farm labor issue confuses Supreme Court, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the INS properly classified Mexican green-card workers as returning resident immigrants, allowing them to bypass visa requirements. The United Farm Workers opposed the practice as undercutting American workers and union organizing.

Community

• Groups pushing for community center downtown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Over 20 Nikkei organizations in Portland met to propose a community center for Japanese and Asian Americans within the city’s urban renewal plan. Planning discussions covered building type, programs, transportation, and funding.
• Nihonmachi Terrace calls for applicants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nihonmachi Terrace project in San Francisco’s Western Addition is ready for occupancy and accepting applications for senior and family units. Priority letters went to certificate holders, and applicants must be 62 or older for senior housing.
• TV debate sparks governor race, by Allan Beekman, page 1. A KGMB-TV debate between Hawaii’s Democratic and Republican gubernatorial nominees revived the campaign after the primary. The discussion touched on concerns about Japanese investment in Hawaii, though the candidates addressed it only lightly.
• Mayors expose Bannai opponent, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Local Democratic leaders investigated Maurice Mayesh, who opposed Assemblyman Paul Bannai, and found he had improperly re-registered his residence and occupation. The committee concluded he ran a deceptive campaign financed largely by out-of-district interests.
• Sequoia to host NC-WN quarterly and election meet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sequoia JACL hosts the fourth quarterly session of the NC-WN District Council in Mountain View, with district governor and board elections. Col. John Hada will speak at the banquet about research into the Tokyo Rose case.
• Mihara Fishing in Puyallup Valley, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Brief community notes from the Pacific Citizen issue cover chapter activities and local events across JACL districts. Items include holiday fair announcements and chapter installations.
• W.L.A. Auxiliary starts new season, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary held its dinner meeting at the Hungry Tiger restaurant and re-elected Yuki Sato as president. The group plans upcoming events including a guest speaker and its December Christmas party.
• Chapter pulse: L.A. educator to speak at WLA installation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. James B. Taylor, deputy superintendent of Los Angeles city schools, will speak at the West Los Angeles JACL installation dinner-dance on Nov. 9. His address will focus on multi-cultural education.
• Jerry Enomoto to speak at San Gabriel Valley installation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Former national JACL president Jerry Enomoto will be guest speaker at the San Gabriel Valley JACL installation dinner. The event will also include films and the installation of new chapter officers.
• Cleveland to hold 4th annual Holiday Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Cleveland JACL will hold its fourth annual Holiday Fair on Nov. 4 at Euclid Central Junior High School. The event offers Japanese foods, crafts, imports, and entertainment as the chapter’s major fundraiser.
• 150 senior citizens enjoy S.F. keiro picnic, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco JACL hosted about 150 Issei seniors at a keiro picnic in San Bruno, with transportation provided by KGO-TV. Four couples celebrating golden anniversaries were honored.
• Savings deposit still climbing at Merit S&L, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Merit Savings and Loan Association paid record interest of $915,536 in the first nine months of 1974. The association reported strong growth in savings deposits.
• Ariyoshi’s wife campaigns with family support, by Vickie Ong, page 3. Jean Ariyoshi describes her campaign work for her husband, Acting Governor George Ariyoshi, and the family’s preparations for the general election. She speaks of the family’s close bonds and the likely move to Washington Place if he wins.
• Little Tokyo Power Play, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. The column examines how powerful interests in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo have pursued their goals, drawing on the history of early Japanese-language press figures such as Sei Fujii. It describes the courage of publishers who faced threats for their editorial stances.

JACL

• JACL sponsors workshop on textbook evaluation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL held a workshop on textbook evaluation at its headquarters to provide community input for state curriculum review. The session addressed legal compliance requirements for textbooks.

Military & Veterans

• Hawaii 442 veterans revisit Europe, 30th anniv’y of Bruyeres liberation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nearly 60 members of Hawaii’s 442nd Veterans Club visited Bruyeres, France, to mark the 30th anniversary of the town’s liberation. They attended a memorial ceremony and luncheon before continuing a 28-day tour of Europe.

Arts & Entertainment

• Pictures of Life in Eastern Lands, by Allan Beckman, page 4. A review of an Asian and Pacific short story anthology compiled by the International Social Centre, covering works from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Philippines. The reviewer praises the stories’ characterization and dialogue while noting weaker pieces.

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