Aliens and the law, and a JACL history workshop kit

Vol. 77, No. 3, July 20, 1973. 6 pages. View this issue

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25 ruling that states cannot bar aliens from practicing law led this six-page issue. The Court overturned a Connecticut restriction and also held that a New York civil service ban on hiring aliens violated equal protection. A follow-up story reported that a Hawaii law barring aliens from state jobs was struck down, according to the ACLU’s Evan Shirley. Also on the front page, the National JACL unveiled “Workshop One: The Japanese in America,” a kit to help chapters start local history workshops, and members were polled by mail on raising the building fund goal for a National JACL building.

Inside are columns by Bill Hosokawa, James M. Watanabe and Ross Harano, who announced a JACL ad hoc committee to oppose repressive legislation. Betty Beale wrote about Senator Daniel Inouye during the Watergate hearings. An editorial honored Nisei veterans of the 442nd and 100th Battalion at a Hawaii reunion, and reviews covered books by Jim Yoshida and about the sumo champion Takamiyama.

What’s in this issue

National

• Supreme Court Bars States From Barring Aliens From Practicing Law, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 25 ruled that states cannot bar aliens from practicing law, overturning a Connecticut restriction. The Court also held that a New York civil service ban on hiring aliens violated equal protection.
• Hawaii Aliens Public Jobs Law Struck Down, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Following the Supreme Court ruling, a Hawaii law barring aliens from state government jobs was overturned, according to the ACLU’s Evan Shirley. The case involved two resident aliens represented by the Civil Liberties Union.
• Okinawan Culture Protection Urged, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Okinawan officials urged protection of cultural properties threatened by development related to the 1975 International Ocean Exposition. Destruction of historic sites and resources was reported.
• Constant Effort Needed to Resolve U.S.-Japan Problems, Yasukawa Urges, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yasukawa, departing for Washington, called for long-range views and constant effort by both nations to resolve bilateral problems. He said gaps are natural given differences in language, history and culture.

JACL

• National JACL Produces Kit for Chapters to Push Local Area History Workshops, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL unveiled a workshop kit, ‘Workshop One: The Japanese in America,’ to help chapters start local history workshops. The kit includes slides, a narrative, a guide to local research, sample Issei interviews, and a bibliography.
• JACL Mail Poll: Vote Due on National JACL Building, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Members were polled by mail on whether to raise the National JACL building fund goal from $175,000 to $250,000 due to construction cost increases. Dr. Hatasaka and national director Dave Ushio urged prompt responses.

Community

• Point Lobos Closed to All Fishing, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The State Park Commission closed the waters off Point Lobos to all fishing, ending a commercial fishing operation started by Japanese fishermen. The site was once the Monterey Issei venture of Penn Mott’s Pacific Development Co.
• Charges of Hata Appointment ‘Inaccurate’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Citizens in Gardena protested the method used to fill a city council vacancy with Dr. Dou T. Hata Jr. instead of holding a special election. Mayor Nakaoka defended the council’s action as consistent with state law.
• Hyde Street Pier Fair Opposed by Bay Area Community JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A court denied a request to block a summertime nautical fair at the Hyde Street Pier, and the Bay Area Community JACL opposed the commercial use of the state park. Critics cited historical, cultural and environmental concerns.
• Kenosha Lodge Defies Elks Rule, Nonwhites Signed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Kenosha Elks Lodge 750 faces revocation of its charter after admitting nonwhite members in defiance of national Elks rules. The lodge has sought a permanent injunction, arguing the national order’s policy is outdated and unconstitutional.
• Her Handicap Motivates Art Students, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Anny Semonco, a Japanese-born intern with cerebral palsy, teaches art at Robinson High School in Tampa. Her energy and determination inspire students, and her art teacher praises her work.
• Pasadena JACL Presents Scout of Year Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Pasadena JACL honored Jeffrey T. Moriyama as Scout of the Year during a court of honor ceremony. He was recognized as a fine student and athlete who earned the Eagle Scout badge.
• Hawaii Today, by P.C. Staff, page 5. A roundup of Hawaii news including tourist traffic growth, education appointments, Univ. of Hawaii law school admissions, and county salary changes. Items also cover awards and political developments.

Commentary

• Inouye Avoiding Lure of TV Showmanship, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Senator Daniel Inouye described his efforts to avoid becoming a performer during the Watergate hearings, including changing his shirt under the TV lights. He emphasized that the hearings are not a trial to determine guilt.
• A Lesson Overlooked by Capitol Press Corps, by Betty Beale, page 2. Betty Beale praises the courteous manners displayed during the televised Watergate hearings, contrasting them with earlier discourtesy. She highlights Senator Inouye’s voice and the story of his education after his war injury.
• The Korean in Japan, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial examines anti-Korean violence by Kokushikan University students in Tokyo and the ultranationalist education blamed for it. It cites an Asahi editorial proposing reforms, including nonviolence, peaceful coexistence, respect for minorities, and international understanding.
• In Defense of Ben-Dasan, by Mamoru Iga, page 2. Sociologist Mamoru Iga defends Ben-Dasan’s book The Japanese and the Jew against Allan Beekman’s review. He argues the work offers valid insights into Japanese culture despite not being strictly scientific.
• The Japanese Mind Revealed in Everyday Customs, by Toshiniko Kamada, page 2. The author explains Japanese hospitality customs, such as removing coats and shoes, as expressions of trust and confidence. He connects these customs to Japanese history, samurai tradition and interpersonal relations.
• Let’s Fight Illiteracy, by James M. Watanabe, page 3. Watanabe notes high academic achievement among Sansei and historical Nisei success, attributing it partly to discrimination and ethnic pride. He urges community involvement in literacy programs to address widespread illiteracy.
• Against Repressive Legislation, by Ross Harano, page 3. Ross Harano urges abolition of the House Internal Security Committee, which maintains dossiers on over 750,000 Americans. He announces a JACL ad hoc committee to oppose repressive legislation and repeal existing laws infringing on freedoms.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on Nisei and Sansei understanding of Japanese culture and on media stereotypes, including Polish jokes on ABC and a NBC program on Japanese Americans. Readers’ reactions to portrayals of Nisei wartime treatment are included.
• Kamada Continued: The Japanese Mind, by Toshiniko Kamada, page 6. The continuation explores Japanese martial arts history, including jujitsu and judo, and the role of trust and foresight in Japanese relations. It concludes with reflections on the group-oriented nature of Japanese society.

Military & Veterans

• Their Faith, Our Victory, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial honors the Nisei veterans of the 442nd, 100th Battalion and Military Intelligence Service at a Hawaii reunion. It notes their wartime service while families were interned and their leadership in postwar Hawaii.

Arts & Entertainment

• Takamiyama Book Explores Sumo World, by K. Patrick Okura, page 4. A review of Takamiyama, the story of Jesse Kuhaulua who became the first non-Japanese sumo grand champion. The book explains sumo traditions and Kuhaulua’s journey from Hawaii to Japan.
• The Two Worlds of Jim Yoshida, by Joe Hamanaka, page 6. Joe Hamanaka reviews Jim Yoshida’s memoir of his life in Japan and his return to America after Pearl Harbor. The review mentions Seattle connections and Yoshida’s book promotion.

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