Vol. 84, No. 24, June 24, 1977. 8 pages. View this issue
Objections to racial stereotyping ran through the front page of this eight-page issue. The San Diego County Human Relations Commission criticized a summer production of “The King and I” as demeaning to Asians, while JACL Washington representative Wayne Horiuchi objected to a Kodak executive’s idea of printing “Remember Pearl Harbor” on film packs. Kim Hatamiya reported on Hollister, where over 150 citizens protested a teacher’s alleged remark. Harry Honda wrote about a planned honor for George Knox Roth, who opposed the wartime forced removal of Japanese Americans.
Elsewhere, Karl Nobuyuki’s column reported on district council meetings. Sachi Seko recalled the last graduating class of Butte High School at Gila camp, and Bill Hosokawa described a Denver graduation program for Japanese American students. Page 2 notes the death of retired Justice Tom C. Clark, who regretted his part in the removal. Other items covered Foster City’s new mayor, the Manzanar pilgrimage, higher postage costs and a youth Junior Olympics.
What’s in this issue
Arts & Entertainment
- Human Relations Commission Criticizes ‘The King & I’ as Racist, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Diego County Human Relations Commission objected to Starlight Opera’s summer production of ‘The King and I,’ arguing it demeans Asians and perpetuates negative stereotypes. Starlight Opera’s director said the group would defend its production with about 20 reasons.
- East West Schedule of ‘Gee Pop’ Varied, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Frank Chin’s ‘Gee Pop’ premieres June 29-30 at East West Players with a champagne reception and two Saturday performances. The play follows Chan in a search for murderers of his image.
National
- JACL Criticizes Kodak Over ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ Film Pack Proposal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Washington representative Wayne Horiuchi criticized a Kodak executive’s proposal to print ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ on film packs, calling it a reprehensible statement that inflames racial prejudice. Horiuchi urged Kodak chairman Walter Fallon to be more sensitive to the effects of such comments on ethnic groups.
- L.A. Supervisors Endorse Hibakusha Aid Bill HR 5150, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors endorsed HR 5150, a bill to aid atomic bomb survivors in the U.S., as reported by Dr. Thomas Noguchi. The bill clarifies benefits extend to U.S. citizens and permanent residents and distinguishes Japanese Americans from Japanese nationals.
- Kiyoshi Matsuo Becomes Sixth Nisei Mayor in California, Heads Foster City, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Kiyoshi Matsuo was voted mayor of Foster City by the new post-recall city council on June 7. He is the sixth active Japanese American mayor in California.
- Hayakawa Sides Against Gay Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator S.I. Hayakawa sided with Anita Bryant in opposing gay rights and warned that homosexuals’ public flaunting harms their cause. JACL Anti-Defamation Committee co-chairman criticized his remarks.
Community
- San Benito School System Under Scrutiny After Teacher’s Alleged Slur, by Kim Hatamiya, page 1. Over 150 Hollister citizens protested a history teacher’s alleged ‘Remember Pearl Harbor, you Japs’ remark, and the school board considered complaints in closed session. Community representatives formed an ad hoc committee to pursue concerns about the principal’s and board’s responsiveness.
- Storms and Huge Waves Break Will of Atlantic Rower Steve Kurachi, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Austin rower Steve Kurachi, 25, abandoned his attempt to be the first American to row the Atlantic after a storm contaminated his water and he was rescued by a Japanese freighter. He said he learned patience, confidence, and temperance from the ordeal and plans to write a book.
- St. Louis Businessman Paul Maruyama Cited for Promoting U.S.-Japan Ties, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Paul M. Maruyama, a Yamanashi-ken native who was interned during WWII, was decorated by the Japanese government with the Order of the Sacred Treasure for promoting U.S.-Japan friendship in St. Louis. The 70-year-old businessman helped establish the Japan America Society there.
- Kodak Chapters OK Nobuyuki as Executive Director, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chapter ratification of Karl Nobuyuki as JACL national executive director was announced June 14 by national president Jim Murakami. Nobuyuki assumed the post May 1.
- Postage Costs Climb Again, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Second class postage rates for the Pacific Citizen will rise at least 17% on July 6, adding about $4,100 in expenses. Fourth class book rates also increase, adding to handling charges for books ordered through the PC office.
Incarceration & Redress
- George Knox Roth Honored for Attempting to Prevent Evacuation, by Harry Honda, page 1. The Friends of George Knox Roth and the Pacific Southwest JACL District Council will honor Roth, who publicly opposed the wartime Evacuation and used his own funds to buy radio time countering pro-Evacuation broadcasts. Roth was later convicted of contempt by a state committee and suffered lasting career penalties as a result.
- Clark Regretted Role in Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Retired Justice Tom C. Clark, who died June 13, acknowledged his role in directing the wartime Evacuation as one of his two major public regrets. He said the removal of American citizens into concentration camps was wrong.
Commentary
- Fred Muto and Other Contributors to Manzanar Pilgrimage, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Manzanar Committee recognized individuals and groups who helped make the May 14 pilgrimage a success. Contributions included repair materials and flowers donated for the event.
- Down to Earth: Unity, by Karl Nobuyuki, page 4. JACL national executive director Karl Nobuyuki reports on the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest district council meetings, highlighting the PSW stand against relocating its regional office and PNW discussions on reparations. He stresses unity and accountability as central to JACL’s future, citing the San Benito incident as an example.
- High School Souvenirs, by Sachi Seko, page 4. Sachi Seko recalls the last graduating class of Butte High School at Gila camp in June 1945 and a yearbook dedication to evacuee art instructors Shizuko Nakamura and Howard Horii. She describes an adviser’s pressure to change the dedication and her own quiet refusal, and receiving an American Legion medal.
- Stone Anchors, page 4. A reader writes that the stone anchors found off Santa Barbara could not have been left by the Yayoi, since they had not yet reached Japan 1,500 years ago. The letter offers a historical correction to the earlier article.
- UMT and Secrets, page 4. A reader recommends two books on Universal Military Training and government secrecy in response to Senator Inouye’s remarks. The letter is a brief recommendation for further reading.
- Plain Speaking: The Business After 1700 Hrs., by Wayne Horiuchi, page 4. JACL Washington representative Wayne Horiuchi describes the after-hours receptions he attended for JACL interests, including Japan America Society and ACLU events. He notes contacts with civil rights leaders and new Carter administration appointees.
- From the Frying Pan: Jubilation in June, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa praises Denver’s annual Japanese American Community Graduation program, which drew some 350 people and funded scholarships through cooperative community effort. He notes the contributions are notable given the declining number of Sansei graduates.
Military & Veterans
- Japan Red Cross Marks 100th Anniversary, page 3. The Japanese Red Cross Society observed its 100th anniversary May 26, having been formed in 1877 during the Saigo rebellion. The organization was patterned after the European Red Cross.
- Sen. Hayakawa Spoke Out on Gay Rights, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Coverage notes that a Hollister dispute over the teacher’s remarks was debated at a school board meeting. Community representatives asked for accountability.
Sports
- San Francisco Jr. Olympics a Success, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The San Francisco JACL held its 25th annual Junior Olympics June 12 at Laney Community College with over 400 spectators and 305 athletes. Several records were broken and outstanding athletes were honored in each division.
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