The Manzanar plaque, the JARP collection and a slur on license plates

Vol. 76, No. 18, May 11, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

A debate over the bronze plaque at Manzanar ran through the editorial pages. An editorial defended its wording on the Evacuation, Ellen Endo Kayano and Kats Kuniyoshi answered a column by Lillian Baker, and Kuniyoshi noted that Manzanar Committee members, largely Nisei who lived in camp, approved the text. National President Henry T. Tanaka reported that the JACL Japanese American Research Project collection had been cataloged at UCLA, and that he had met UCLA officials about delays in the Definitive History book. David Ushio asked California’s DMV director to recall personalized plates carrying a slur.

Also inside: the Executive Order 9066 exhibit opening in Sacramento and Chicago, Norman Mineta’s ranking in San Jose, Monterey Park’s new mayor, and a New York survey on housing for Issei. Houghton Mifflin announced Farewell to Manzanar for fall.

What’s in this issue

Incarceration & Redress

• JARP Meeting, by Henry T. Tanaka, page 1. JACL National President Henry Tanaka reports on the Japanese American Research Project’s memorabilia collection being cataloged at UCLA and the progress of the project’s book publications. He describes a meeting with UCLA administrators about delays in the Definitive History book and related committee decisions.
• ‘E.O. 9066’ to Open in Sac’to and Chicago, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Historical Society’s exhibit on Executive Order 9066 will open in Sacramento and later in Chicago. A separate art exhibit, ‘Living Under the Shadow of Waiting,’ created by Japanese Americans in relocation camps, has finished a display in Cleveland and is available for booking.
• Manzanar Plaque, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial defends the bronze plaque at Manzanar that describes Evacuation as a constitutional injustice, responding to criticism from columnist Lillian Baker. It argues the plaque honestly acknowledges that evacuation was driven by hysteria, racism, and economic greed.

National

• Federal Court Rule May End Class Action, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a person starting a class-action suit must pay the cost of notifying each represented person. The American Civil Liberties Union expressed concern that the ruling could affect many class-action lawsuits.
• Church Funds Approved for Minority Projects, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race approved over $970,000 in grants for 34 minority projects, including two Japanese American community proposals in Los Angeles. The commission anticipates federal funding cuts will increase requests from minority groups.
• Anti-‘Jap’ Bid on Auto Plates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL Executive Director David Ushio sought a meeting with California DMV Director Cozens to recall personalized license plates containing the slur ‘JAP’ and ‘NIP.’ Cozens acknowledged the plates but said they were issued without intent to offend, and JACL is examining legal options.

Community

• Eastern District Council Session May 19 with Inaugural, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eastern District Council meeting hosted by New York JACL on May 19 will include a panel on JACL and Pan-Asian groups and an installation dinner. The agenda also covers committee reports, a regional office proposal, and the 1978 EDC-MDC convention planning.
• Pacific Southwest District Council Meets at Selanoco May 20, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The PSWDC quarterly meeting hosted by Selanoco JACL on May 20 will feature remarks by National President Henry Tanaka and National Executive Director David Ushio. The event is held at a Norwalk location through the courtesy of a local business.
• Elks Club Cited for Exclusionary Practices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Japanese American citizens group presented a position statement supporting Assembly Bill 340 in relation to a licensing bill. The statement cites the Elks Club’s exclusionary membership practices as a basis for its position.
• Sacto JAYs Prep for DYC Weekend, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sacramento JAYs are hosting the Northern California JACL District Youth Council spring meeting May 19-20 with business sessions, meals, a mixer, and a picnic. The group also plans a Mother’s Day cake sale and recently held an Easter egg hunt and carwash.
• City Human Relations Bureau Staff Adds Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Harry Oshiro, sales manager at Frank Taylor Ford and a recent Cal State LA graduate, has joined the City Human Relations Bureau of Los Angeles as a human relations adviser. He says he joined because he has always wanted to help others.
• Over 500 Nikkei Win Cal State Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A total of 574 Japanese Americans, about 5.1 percent of the winners, received California State Scholarships. Lists of winners from various regions were published in local Japanese-language newspapers.
• Ige Elected Mayor of Monterey Park, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei councilman Ige was elected mayor of Monterey Park, becoming the second Asian to hold a top political post in that city after State Senator Alfred Song. He succeeds previous leadership and faces issues including shopping center development and school district concerns.
• Mineta Maintains ‘Most Respected’ Title, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mayor Norman Mineta of San Jose ranked as the most respected public individual in Santa Clara County for the second consecutive year, according to a December 1972 survey. Other top-ranked figures included Rep. Charles Gubser and Assemblyman John Vasconcellos.
• Nisei Relays Set Entry Deadlines, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 22nd annual Pacific Southwest Nisei Relays will be held June 3 at John Francis Polytechnic High School, with entries due May 28. A queen contest deadline of May 20 has also been announced for applicants aged 16 to 18.
• Asian American Senior Citizens Council Formed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The newly formed Asian American Senior Citizens Council met May 5 at Oriental Service Center to ratify its by-laws and exchange programs with member groups. The council aims to coordinate services for Asian elderly.
• Gerontology Project Concerns Raised by EBAJ, by P.C. Staff, page 2. East Bay Japanese for Action and Kimochi raised concerns about the JACL Asian Gerontology Project, citing lack of community consultation and questions about its services for Issei. National JACL HQ issued a statement acknowledging the oversight and inviting community input.
• Survey Tabulated for Issei Housing Needs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A 10-page bilingual questionnaire on housing and other needs of Issei in New York was distributed and tabulated. The results indicate a strong need for housing and a community center providing services and recreation.
• Philadelphia Co-sponsors Koto Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL co-sponsored koto concerts by the Seiryukai Koto Mission in Fairmount Park and elsewhere as part of its involvement campaign. The visiting group of 70 performers toured the US and offered a cultural program to the community.
• Bay Area United Way Gives $54,000 to San Francisco Nihonmachi Groups, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Bay Area Crusade granted $54,000 to the United Japanese Community Services in San Francisco to fund social services for Japanese American residents. The grant supports programs including visitation, a Japanese newsletter, and youth services.
• Pioneer Album Photo Search Under Way, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL-JARP is seeking old photographs of Issei for a pictorial album through September 30. Michi Asawa and Toyo Miyatake are preparing the album, which will show Issei lives in the US, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Obituaries

• First Asian Elected to Congress Dies, Remembered as JACL Speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Dalip S. Saund, the first Asian elected to the US Congress, died April 22 at age 72. He was remembered as a principal speaker at the 1958 JACL National Convention in Salt Lake City.
• Tanzan Ishibashi Dies, Premier for 62 Days, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Former Japanese Prime Minister Tanzan Ishibashi died April 24 at age 68. He had advocated normal relations between Japan and China and stated in 1956 that Japan would not be a yes man to anyone, including the United States.

Commentary

• JACL and the World, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial reflects on rising US-Japan tensions, the canceled Emperor Hirohito visit, and global instability while urging JACL to continue its public affairs work. It also previews the June National Board meeting in San Francisco and praises the capabilities of JACL’s young professional staff.
• Keeping It on the Move, by Ellen Endo Kayano, page 2. Columnist Ellen Endo Kayano responds to Lillian Baker’s column defending the wartime evacuation and to George Yoshinaga’s remarks about camp life. She argues that the incarceration violated constitutional rights regardless of whether internees had good experiences.
• Nisei Editor Responds, by Kats Kuniyoshi, page 2. Editor Kats Kuniyoshi critiques Lillian Baker’s column, arguing her reasoning about Japanese American evacuation is flawed and that American injustice cannot be excused by Japan’s actions. He notes the plaque text was approved by Manzanar Committee members who were largely Nisei who experienced camp.
• Dinner Honors Issei Seniors in New York, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The New York Ad Hoc Committee on Housing for the Elderly reported that questionnaire responses overwhelmingly support a community center for elderly Japanese in addition to housing. The committee met at the Japanese American Association of New York headquarters.
• Farewell to Manzanar Book Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Houghton Mifflin announced that ‘Farewell to Manzanar,’ a first-person account co-authored by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston, will be published in fall. The book recounts the internment experiences of the Wakatsuki family.
• From the Frying Pan, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A columnist describes visiting Buffy Murai, a Nisei artist in the Ozarks who designed a Japanese garden at the Lodge of the Four Seasons. The column recounts Murai’s background and career path.

Military & Veterans

• Play Ball, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A sports vignette describes a baseball game in which pitcher Ryan Kurosaki faces Dale Kamibayashi in the seventh inning and a sensational double play is turned by second baseman Dennis Shibata. The item is a short humorous column.

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