Vol. 74, No. 3, January 28, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue
Memorials at two incarceration camps led this six-page issue. Japanese Americans from Northern and Southern California planned to gather at Manzanar to clean the camp cemetery and rededicate the memorial built by camp residents, which landscape architect Ryozo Kado designed. Lewis Johnson Jr. renewed inquiries about a national monument at the Rohwer Camp Cemetery. A KOMO-TV documentary, The Fence at Minidoka, is covered by Barbara Tanabe on page 6.
Other pages looked at how Asians appeared on television, with JACL’s George Takei criticizing ABC’s Madame Sin and a panel responding to the revived Charlie Chan series. Glenn K. Omatsu reported on rising interracial marriage in San Francisco, and Yuji Ichioka continued his series on Okinawa and JACL. Chapter news covers installation dinners and the Executive Order 9066 photo exhibit.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Manzanar cemetery cleanup and memorial rededication planned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese Americans from Northern and Southern California plan to assemble at Manzanar to clean the camp cemetery and rededicate the memorial built by camp residents. The memorial was designed by landscape architect Ryozo Kado.
- Rohwer memorial sought as national monument, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lewis Johnson Jr. has renewed inquiries about legislation to establish a national monument at the Rohwer Camp Cemetery, rededicated in 1969. Arkansas citizens and Rep. David Pryor are interested in reintroducing similar legislation after an earlier Fulbright bill failed to pass.
- TV documentary on Minidoka, by Barbara Tanabe, page 6. KOMO-TV’s half-hour documentary ‘The Fence at Minidoka’ drew hate mail and praise after airing Dec. 7, recounting wartime evacuation and the experiences of Seattle Nisei. Interviewees including former officials and internees reflect on the injustice and warn that similar hysteria could recur.
Commentary
- Mixed marriages among Nikkei in California continuing to rise, by Glenn K. Omatsu, page 1. A study of San Francisco marriage licenses in 1958 and 1971 finds Japanese interracial marriage rates comparable to Fresno County’s trend, with 58 percent of 1971 licenses being interracial. The author notes Japanese females marry non-Japanese males at higher rates and raises questions about the future of distinct Japanese American communities.
- Reversion of Okinawa and JACL: Part III, by Yuji Ichioka, page 2. This installment critiques the JACL International Relations Committee report on Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, noting its failure to address base reduction, nuclear weapons, and the Okinawan economy. The author argues the report accepted US strategic rationales uncritically.
- Charlie Chan TV series exhumed, criticized by Asian-American panel, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Sacramento KCRA program revived the Charlie Chan series, prompting criticism from Asian American figures who said the stereotype harms Asian Americans. Host Geoffrey Wong defended his role while critics including Frank Chin and George Takei argued the series reinforces racist caricatures.
- Letters from our readers: Dr. King memorial and Christmas remembrance, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Readers contributed letters on topics including the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Christmas recollections. The letters reflect on service, commitment, and civil rights.
JACL
- Procedures for Inagaki Prizes streamlined, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Chapters may now apply for the George J. Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Awards through a simplified application describing up to five outstanding programs. Applications are due to district governors by April 15, with winners announced at the National JACL Convention in Washington, D.C.
Arts & Entertainment
- JACL continues to roast ABC-TV in weekend showing of ‘Madame Sin’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL national cultural chairman George Takei criticized ABC-TV’s airing of ‘Madame Sin’ as an irresponsible portrayal of Asians that revives the Yellow Peril stereotype. JACL urged ABC to reexamine its portrayal of Asians in programming.
- CBS ’60 Minutes’ feature on Japanese in America draws criticism, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A 25-minute segment on Japanese Americans aired on CBS’s 60 Minutes, but editing paired it with a segment on Japanese electronics imports, implying a link that critics found damaging. Community leaders in Tacoma and elsewhere protested the pairing as fueling scapegoating.
Community
- SFCJAS may sponsor Nisei film festival, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Center for Japanese American Studies is considering a film festival on Japanese Americans in spring or summer. It is seeking films and videotapes made by Japanese and American filmmakers.
- Presence of Nisei at ‘Executive Order 9066’ photo exhibit augments display, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bay Area Community JACL is recruiting volunteers for the California Historical Society photo exhibit ‘Executive Order 9066’ at De Young Museum and UC Berkeley. Over 20,000 visitors came the first week, and schools and community groups are planning visits.
- Sonoma JACL given $10,500 school fund, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Petaluma Showa Japanese Language School transferred a $10,500 fund to the Sonoma County JACL to promote the Japanese language, cultural arts, or community projects. The transfer was made at the chapter’s installation dinner, which also honored several members.
- Seattle JACL installation dinner set with Dr. Kenji Okuda as speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Seattle JACL will install its 1972 officers at a dinner featuring keynote speaker Dr. Kenji Okuda, a former Seattle JACL president. Tomio Moriguchi will be sworn in as chapter president.
- Venice-Culver JACL installation dinner-dance with national legal counsel Robert Takasugi, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Venice-Culver JACL will hold its annual installation dinner-dance with National JACL legal counsel Robert Takasugi as speaker. Betty Yumori and her slate of officers were unanimously re-elected.
- West L.A. Auxiliary calendar highlights philanthropic, community projects, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The West Los Angeles JACL Auxiliary set its year’s calendar emphasizing philanthropic and community projects, including support for the Nora Sterry Lighted School project. Activities include the Issei Appreciation Day and a cookbook project.
Obituaries
- Mrs. Keiko Minami obituary, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Keiko Minami, 37, formerly of Sacramento, died and is survived by her husband and two children. Services and family details were noted in the issue.
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