The 1972 Manzanar pilgrimage and Spark Matsunaga’s JACL tributes

Vol. 74, No. 13, April 7, 1972. 6 pages. View this issue

About 700 people made the Manzanar pilgrimage on March 25, 1972, and a desert sandstorm did not stop them. Edison T. Uno reported on the day, with remarks from Karl Yoneda and organizer Sue Kunitomi Embrey. Embrey’s full pilgrimage speech runs on page 3, along with a second report on the services and the walking tour of the camp site. The front page also profiled Rep. Spark Matsunaga, who was chosen to head the Congressional Tributes program at the JACL national convention.

Elsewhere in this six-page issue, David Ushio asked whether job discrimination against Sansei teachers had ended, and Dr. S. I. Hayakawa wrote about racism and identity. A photo exhibit on Executive Order 9066 opened at the Pasadena Art Museum, and Embrey’s reprinted 1947 article looked back on the wartime forced removal. Page 5 carries chapter news and two reviews by Allan Beekman.

What’s in this issue

Community

• MDC nominates Dr. Furuta for VP—public affairs, by Edison T. Uno, page 1. Dr. Otto Furuta of St. Louis has been nominated for the JACL national vice president post for public affairs in the upcoming elections. The nomination was made by the Mountain-Pacific District Council.
• 1st Nisei appointed university chancellor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. James Oshiro, a Coaldale, Alberta physician, was named chancellor of the University of Lethbridge, becoming the first Nisei chancellor of a Canadian university. He previously served on the university board of governors and senate.
• CCDC governor regrets Chicago JACL action on farm labor as being biased, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Central California JACL district governor Fred Hirasuna criticized the Chicago JACL board’s resolution supporting the United Farm Workers, arguing it was made without investigating the grower side. He urged an objective assessment of conditions in California.
• Mas Satow recovering, collapsed while driving car, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. National JACL director Masao Satow collapsed at the wheel in Los Angeles and was hospitalized with meningitis, but his prognosis is good. National JACL leaders are continuing office operations while he recovers.
• Fowler Buddhist priest takes lead to save town’s oldest building—SP depot, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Y. G. Takemura of the Fowler Buddhist Church initiated efforts to save the abandoned Southern Pacific depot, Fowler’s oldest building. The Chamber of Commerce subsequently authorized negotiations for community purchase of the structure.
• Manzanar—pilgrimage climax, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A report on the Manzanar pilgrimage describes the 700 attendees, the desert sandstorm, the religious services, and the walking tour of the camp site. Participants reflected on the hardships experienced by internees.
• Asian caucus for Presbyterians set, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A historic Asian Presbyterian Caucus of 112 Asian American ministers and laypeople met in St. Helena and will press for national recognition before the United Presbyterian general assembly. The caucus adopted a statement on racism and self-development.
• Fowler depot story continued, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Fowler Ensign reports on community efforts to preserve the Southern Pacific depot, noting the Chamber of Commerce’s early involvement. The newspaper credits Rev. Takemura with bringing the matter to public attention.
• Philadelphia JACL sets for NSC Folk Fair, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Philadelphia JACL will participate in the Nationalities Service Center Folk Fair with a Japanese exhibit. Over 50 nationality groups are taking part in the April event.
• San Jose JACL pinfest set for April 18, by Phil Matsumura, page 5. The San Jose JACL announces its pinfest bowling tournament with a new trophy division, with prizes and entry details. The chapter also introduces scholarship applicants.
• Night at the races at Bay Meadows, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Francisco JACL is sponsoring a Night at the Races at Bay Meadows on April 29 to raise scholarship funds. The event includes admission and proceeds benefit chapter scholarships.
• Sacramento planning second Issei health day, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Sacramento JACL is planning a second Issei health day on May 21 offering health screenings and legal services information for seniors. Volunteers are sought to assist with interpreting and transportation.
• Sumitomo, Bank of Tokyo due in San Diego soon, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The California State Banking Department approved applications for the Bank of Tokyo and Sumitomo Bank of California to open San Diego offices. Both branches will be located in downtown San Diego.

Incarceration & Redress

• Desert wind, sandstorm thrash 700 making Manzanar pilgrimage, by Edison T. Uno, page 1. Some 700 people made a symbolic pilgrimage to Manzanar, the first WWII internment camp, on March 25, 1972, braving a desert sandstorm. Karl Yoneda and organizer Sue Kunitomi Embrey addressed the crowd about the internment experience and its contemporary significance.
• The Courage to Be Different, by Dr. S. I. Hayakawa, page 3. The article discusses the psychological effects of racism on Japanese Americans and how Asian Americans struggle with identity and self-acceptance. It argues that education must portray Asian American history more accurately.
• Manzanar Pilgrimage: A step away from the past, by Sue Embrey, page 3. Sue Kunitomi Embrey’s speech at the March 25 Manzanar Pilgrimage addresses the historical context of internment and the racism underlying it. She calls on attendees to ensure such injustice never recurs.
• Executive Order 9066 photo exhibit at Pasadena Art Museum, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A photographic exhibition documenting the wartime internment of Japanese Americans opens at the Pasadena Art Museum from April 4 to May 21. The exhibit features Dorothea Lange photographs and an epilogue by former Justice Tom Clark.

JACL

• Spark Matsunaga heads ‘Congressional Tributes’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga has been selected to head the Congressional Tributes program at the JACL national convention. The article profiles his career, military service, and support for the JACL.
• Convention committee organized, testimonial fund drive underway, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mike Masaoka announced committees for the Masao W. Satow testimonial at the national convention. A fund drive capped at $10 per individual donor is underway, with contributions to be concluded in early May.
• Setting JACL budget aggravating, by Al Hatate, page 1. National JACL Treasurer Al Hatate describes the difficult process of preparing the 1973-74 national budget, including projecting income and prioritizing requests. The budget committee found requested funds far exceeded available income and must be prioritized by the National Council.
• Chapters donate to Hagiwara Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Four JACL chapters have met their donation goals for the Abe Hagiwara Memorial Fund, a scholarship fund supporting Japanese American students. Several other chapters have pledged further contributions.
• RYCI’s major thrust, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The article reports on JACL’s national education program, including the appointment of education directors and funding from Bill Hosokawa’s book sales. The author argues education should be a major JACL priority.

National

• Congress passes delegate bill for Guam, Virgin Is., by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Senate passed a bill granting non-voting delegates to Guam and the Virgin Islands in the House of Representatives. The bill awaits the President’s signature.
• Ethnic quality of Japanese in Hawaii explored, by Claude Burgett, page 3. A survey by University of Hawaii and Tokyo researchers finds major generational differences among Honolulu Japanese Americans, with 57 percent of Sansei holding college degrees. The study also finds continued preference for Japanese food and declining Japanese language study.
• Kissinger to confer with Japan officials, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Henry Kissinger is scheduled to hold talks with Japanese government officials, including Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, in Tokyo between April 15 and 18. The visit is at the invitation of the Japan-U.S. Economic Council.

Commentary

• Are we free from job discrimination?, by David Ushio, page 2. A qualified Sansei teacher repeatedly lost job opportunities to less qualified candidates, raising concerns about racial discrimination. The column argues that subtle job discrimination against Sansei persists and calls on JACL chapters to act.
• Ethnic identity, by Mike Iwatsubo, page 2. A letter to the editor requests reprinting Rev. Dr. Paul Nagano’s article on ethnic pluralism. The writer notes many subscribers missed the original piece and considers it relevant today.
• Working on the same pitch, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial on the Sansei activism in Seattle and Los Angeles high schools addresses demands for Asian American faculty and ethnic studies. The piece argues that Asian American students are being dismissed as quiet and docile and calls for support of youth struggles.

Military & Veterans

• Executive Order 9066, by Sue Kunitomi Embrey, page 2. A reprinted 1947 article reflects on the wartime evacuation and Manzanar. The author recalls the experience of internment and its lasting impact on the Nisei generation.

Arts & Entertainment

• Book review: Ashikari and The Story of Shunkin by Junichiro Tanizaki, by Allan Beekman, page 5. A review of two Tanizaki novellas that depict masochistic relationships dominated by women. The reviewer examines the recurring themes of the author’s work.
• Impressions in haiku, by Allan Beekman, page 5. A bookshelf review of James McCready’s haiku collection depicting Japan and Don Raye’s verse collection on life and nature. The reviewer praises the originality and beauty of both works.

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