Ending a slur, adoption from Vietnam and the JACL building fund

Vol. 77, No. 11, September 14, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

A racial slur for Japanese people ran through this six-page issue. The Machinist, the International Association of Machinists’ publication, apologized for using it in a headline, the San Francisco Center for Japanese American Studies faulted Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for defining it without noting that it is derogatory, and Share Ushio wrote that Americans should rid the language of it. The front page also followed Rep. Patsy Mink and Michelle Wentzell in their effort to place Vietnam war orphans with American parents. Barry Matsumoto’s speech on ethnic studies and pluralism in education ran across pages 1 and 2.

Elsewhere, the JACL named committees to lead its National Building Fund drive for a $250,000 headquarters in San Francisco. Bill Hosokawa described the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, and Gail Nishioka wrote two columns. Nine more parcels were sold in Nihonmachi, and Nisei Week and Hibari Misora’s concerts were covered.

What’s in this issue

National

• Vietnam orphanages reluctant to put children up for adoption, by By BARRY MATSUMOTO, page 1. Reps. Patsy Mink and Michelle Wentzell found that Vietnamese orphanages often resist releasing children for adoption, even as bills to ease adoption requirements are pending. Wentzell explained that many mixed-race children are kept in hopes of U.S. government payments, leaving them in inadequate conditions.
• ACLU argues for inclusion of aliens on municipal trial jury, page 1. The ACLU of Southern California filed a brief supporting a motion to quash Los Angeles Municipal Court jury panels that exclude aliens. The brief cites precedent and argues that aliens who meet competency standards should be eligible for jury service.
• Hiroshima-made dolls presented in goodwill exchange with U.S. found, page 1. A Hiroshima-made doll from a 1920s U.S.-Japan goodwill exchange was discovered in Baltimore. The doll is being considered for exhibit at a bicentennial event in Baltimore.
• Anti-Japanese bias told in filmstrip form, page 1. A four-filmstrip set titled ‘Prejudice in America: The Japanese Americans’ has been produced for high school teachers. It covers the Issei, Nisei, wartime and contemporary experiences.
• Japanese Self-Defense Forces ruled illegal by Sapporo judge, page 1. Sapporo District Judge Shigeo Fukushima ruled Japan’s Self-Defense Forces unconstitutional in a case over a Nike missile base. The government said it would appeal.
• Hibari concerts draw crowds in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, page 5. Japanese singer Hibari Misora’s concerts drew about 10,000 in Los Angeles, 7,000 in San Francisco and 1,200 in Seattle. Promoter Tadao Kimura said the tour was a success despite limited advertising and high ticket prices.

Commentary

• Education—Ethnicity, page 1. The speech argues that the U.S. educational system has failed to provide meaningful multicultural or ethnic studies, denying the value of Japanese American heritage. It advocates a pluralistic model of society that recognizes diverse cultural contributions without requiring separatism.
• Dictionary faulted for ignoring ‘Jap’, page 1. The San Francisco Center for Japanese American Studies criticized Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for defining ‘Jap’ only as an abbreviation without noting its derogatory use. Correspondence with the publisher shows the dictionary’s response was inadequate.
• Eliminate ‘Jap’, page 2. The JACL Anti-Defamation Committee chairman reflects on JACL’s successes in persuading media to stop using ‘Jap’ and on continuing racism. He notes that economic success has masked lingering prejudice.
• Let Everyone Help Rid the Epithet, by Share Ushio, page 2. Share Ushio, governor of IDC, criticizes Mr. John J. Wilson’s use of ‘Jap’ in referring to Senator Daniel Inouye. He argues the term is derogatory and urges Americans to eradicate it from the language.
• Matsumoto—Pluralism in education, page 2. The speech argues that ethnic studies and multicultural education recognize America’s diversity and are not separatist. It holds that the melting pot model has harmed minority students.
• Vietnam, by Gail Nishioka, page 2. Gail Nishioka argues that Mrs. Mink should pressure the U.S. government to negotiate with Saigon for release of mixed-race children for adoption. She describes placing about 200 children in American homes.
• Classroom Incident, by Gail Nishioka, page 2. The author criticizes a Salt Lake City JACL newsletter and PC coverage of a teacher accused of insulting a guest speaker. The author argues the coverage failed to hear the educator’s side and misread his teaching intent.
• Watergate and national security excesses, page 2. The editorial argues that the Watergate hearings show how national security is used to justify unlawful acts. It connects this to the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans without due process.
• Impressions, page 2. A JACL writer reflects on the Midwest-Eastern District Youth Council convention at Michigan State University. The author notes differences and commonalities between Asian American youth in the East and West.
• Hosokawa from the Frying Pan: Toronto, Canada, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, built as a memorial to Canadian Issei. He details its programs, finances and facilities serving roughly 12,000 Japanese Canadians.
• Hawaii Today, page 5. A column summarizing Hawaii news, including state employment statistics, a Japanese honorary degree for Senator Matsunaga, and macadamia nut shortages. It also notes political and business developments.

Community

• Nine more parcels sold in Nihonmachi, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency approved the sale of nine Nihonmachi parcels to members of the Nihonmachi Community Development Corp. Planned projects include a Kintetsu hotel and bowling complex, office and retail buildings, and housing.
• ‘Machinist’ apologizes for epithet in headline, page 1. The Machinist, publication of the International Association of Machinists, apologized after using the word ‘Jap’ in a headline about a hijacking. The apology followed complaints raised by JACL and Donald S. Nishimura.
• Bannai to speak at CCDC confab, page 1. Assemblyman Paul T. Bannai was named principal speaker for the Central California JACL District Council convention in Fresno. He will address the closing banquet.
• Market potentials, page 1. A San Francisco State and State Department of Commerce conference will help California companies identify market potentials in Japan. The event is scheduled for late September at St. Francis Hotel.
• San Diego JACL snub at MSDF welcome cleared, page 1. The San Diego JACL was left out of a welcome ceremony for Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force officers. Consul General Akira Yamato apologized and promised to prevent recurrence.
• Hosokawa ‘Nisei’ to be recorded for the sightless, page 1. Bill Hosokawa’s book Nisei will be recorded on tape for the blind by Recording for the Blind, Inc. JACL’s Japanese American Research Project announced the arrangement.
• Tipped Over in a Canoe, by Dr. Harry Hatasara, page 2. Sequoia and Sonoma Jr. JACL chapters held a canoe trip down the Russian River. The event included a picnic at Armstrong Redwood Park.
• Washington State Asian American Advisory Council report, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. The Washington State Asian American Advisory Council published a report documenting discrimination against Asians in several areas. The report includes recommendations for broadcasting, employment, housing, law enforcement and more.
• UC Berkeley Nikkei alumni pondering use of funds from sale of clubhouse, page 3. The California Japanese Alumni Association is seeking members to help decide how to use $100,000 from the sale of the Japanese Students Club dormitory. Income may fund scholarships and community projects.
• Good news from Seattle JACL meeting, by Eira Nagaoka, page 4. Seattle JACL reported on a philanthropist’s donation for the Minoru Tamesa Memorial Scholarship. The donation supports scholarships and honors a longstanding community contribution.
• Washington State Asian American Educators conference, page 4. Washington State Asian American Educators held their first annual conference at Seattle University. Speakers addressed dropout rates, bilingual education and the need for Asian American representation in schools.
• Local scene roundup, page 5. A roundup of community events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, including a health fair, a golf tournament and a Japan Day celebration.
• Nisei Week Festival parade and awards, page 5. Coverage of the 43rd annual Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles, including the Miss Tomodachi selection and parade attendance. Several community honors and appointments are also noted.

JACL

• Committeemen named to push Bldg. Fund drive, page 1. Shig Sugiyama was appointed campaign project coordinator for the JACL National Building Fund drive for a $250,000 headquarters in San Francisco. Committee members were named to help raise funds following a chapter vote to raise the goal.

Military & Veterans

• Shig Sugiyama and JACL Building Fund Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL leaders announced committee appointments for the National Building Fund campaign. The committees will develop fund-raising efforts for the San Francisco headquarters.

Obituaries

• Kenji K. Arai to be conferred Medal of Valor, page 2. Off-duty Los Angeles police officer Kenji K. Arai will receive the Medal of Valor for his actions during an armed robbery attempt. The award will be presented at a luncheon in Hollywood.

Sports

• Summertime Sports, page 5. Coverage of Japanese high school baseball at Koshien and a heavyweight title fight in Tokyo. The column also notes the Hasekura statue sent from Japan to Acapulco.

Arts & Entertainment

• TV Review: Retreat from Kiska, by Johnny Heater, page 5. A review of the Japanese film Retreat from Kiska, a true account of a WWII rescue of Japanese soldiers from an Aleutian island. The reviewer praises the dubbing and the film’s sympathetic portrayal.
• Best of Life, page 5. A review of a book collecting the best photographs from Life magazine, arranged by theme. The review notes the magazine’s decline as television displaced its audience.

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