Nisei Week, JACL scholarships and the Asian American Writers Conference

Vol. 83, No. 7, August 13, 1976. 4 pages. View this issue

The Nisei Week Queen coronation at the Palladium on Aug. 14 opened this four-page issue, with the festival in Little Tokyo building toward its grand parade on Sunday, Aug. 22. JACL news ran alongside it: Hito Okada retired after 33 years with the National JACL Credit Union, and the 1976 National JACL scholarships went to four women. Stephen Hiro Sumida reflected on the Asian American Writers Conference in Seattle, and Susan Ishimitsu wrote about eviction notices in Little Tokyo.

Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa’s column looked at JACL’s move toward seeking reparations for wartime losses, and Wayne Horiuchi wrote about accurate census counts for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Douglas Nelson’s book on the Heart Mountain camp was reviewed, and a federal court ruling on alien teachers was reported. Harry K. Honda’s column recalled the JACL convention in Sacramento.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Queen for 1976 Coronation at Palladium Aug. 14, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Week Queen coronation will take place at the Palladium on Aug. 14 with kimono and evening gowns, emceed by Mario Machado. The event kicks off Nisei Week Festival in Little Tokyo, culminating in the grand parade on Sunday, Aug. 22.
• Nightclub Comic Slams Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A nightclub comic’s skit at a Spokane restaurant was called a tasteless slam at a minority race by Patricia Neal, who protested the performance. The incident prompted complaints from the Spokane JACL chapter president.
• All Women Get Eviction Notices, by Susan Ishimitsu, page 1. Japanese American groups demanded that redevelopment officials delay Little Tokyo evictions until relocation facilities are provided, including for the Southern California JACL and Pacific Citizen offices. JACL proposed a back-to-back escrow policy to ensure suitable relocation facilities.
• Writers’ Conference Credits and Events, by P.C. Staff, page 2. This article covers the Asian American Writers Conference proceedings in Seattle, including workshops and readings. Participants included Frank Chin, Laureen Mar, and Ben Santos.
• Jack Ogami Elected Lions District Governor, by Ron Yokota, page 3. Jack Ogami, raised in prewar Seattle, was elected Lions District Governor at a convention in June. He is also active with the Snake River Valley JACL chapter and the Intermountain District Council.
• Kidos’ Japanese Community Testimonial Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Jose’s Japanese community will honor Rep. Norman Mineta at a testimonial dinner on Aug. 20. Mineta’s remarks to a state education conference on public education failures are also covered.
• Sixty-Year Wedding Anniversary Honored in Carson, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Carson JACL members and city officials honored Issei couple Tom and Hiroko Arikawa on their 60th wedding anniversary at a city council meeting. The proclamation was signed by the mayor and city council members.

JACL

• Retires After 33 Years With JACL Credit Union, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hito Okada retired July 1 after 33 years of service as organizer and treasurer-manager of the National JACL Credit Union. Albert U. Oshita was named his successor, with Yoshie Fujii assisting as assistant treasurer-manager.
• JACL Scholarships Awarded to Four Women, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 1976 National JACL scholarships went to four women for collegiate and graduate study, after all recipients were men the previous year. Scholarship recipients include Jenny Kyoko Sullivan, Erma Lee Sakaguchi, Cynthia Lynn Kadehata, and Patricia Shizuko Nagaishi.

Arts & Entertainment

• Reflections on Asian American Writers, by Stephen Hiro Sumida, page 1. Sumida summarizes the Asian American Writers Conference held in Seattle, which drew about 15 writers and more than 100 participants. He reflects on the importance of Asian American writers in American literature and the legacy of John Okada’s No-No Boy.

Incarceration & Redress

• Susan Ishimitsu Reigns as Miss Seafair ’76, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Susan Ishimitsu, sponsored by Seattle JACL, was selected Seafair Queen, the first Japanese American to win the title. She will serve as an official VIP for the City of Seattle during the coming year.

National

• State Ban on Alien Teachers Unconstitutional, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A three-judge federal court ruled unconstitutional a state law barring nonapplicant aliens from teaching in public schools. The decision followed complaints filed by two women who had teacher certification but were barred solely for not applying for citizenship.

Commentary

• Minority of One, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The author reflects on attending the JACL convention in Sacramento and reconnecting with longtime members, including early JACL pioneer Mike Masaoka. He also discusses the declining health of his father-in-law, Sobutaro Kido, a former JACL figure.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa comments on the national JACL’s proceeding toward seeking reparations payments for wartime evacuation losses. He also considers a proposed Pacific Pavilion on Alcatraz Island as a tribute to Asian immigrant contributions.
• Plain Speaking, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 3. Horiuchi argues that Asian and Pacific Islander Americans must be counted accurately in the census because federal benefits depend on census data. He reports on Congressman Spark Matsunaga’s resolution and JACL testimony before a House subcommittee.
• Nisei Week Festival Souvenir Booklet, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Nisei Week Festival Souvenir Booklet is available for purchase at Little Tokyo stores and by mail order. It features the program, photos, and queen candidates.

Military & Veterans

• Heart Mountain: History of American Concentration Camp Published, by Douglas Nelson, page 3. Douglas Nelson’s book Heart Mountain, based on his master’s thesis, examines the Heart Mountain camp and challenges the notion that Japanese Americans cooperated passively with relocation. It details divisions within the camp over the Selective Service issue.

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