Vol. 80, No. 11, March 21, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue
A split inside JACL led this four-page issue. At a special meeting in Los Angeles, the Pacific Southwest District Council voted 15-9 to ask the National Board to investigate the National President and National Director, as Harry Honda reported. A second article by Honda looked at the district’s concerns about executive direction. David Ushio’s column described JACL’s national advocacy work, from offensive license plates to educational funding, and why a large membership gives the organization standing with lawmakers.
Bill Hosokawa wrote about a judge who suspended a prison term for a former Chicago police officer after noting his family’s time in World War II camps, and added a Frying Pan column. Kats Kunitsugu reviewed Ainiieee!, an anthology that includes Hisaye Yamamoto’s stories. Community news covered Seattle’s senior nutrition program, a Girls’ Day gathering at the new Fresno regional office, multi-ethnic school programs in Seattle, and plans for the Eastern and Midwest district conference in Cleveland.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- National Advocacy, by David Ushio, page 1. Ushio describes JACL’s national advocacy work, including efforts to remove offensive license plates, secure educational funding, and resolve employment discrimination. He argues that effective national representation requires a large membership and a track record that give JACL credibility with lawmakers.
- Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa’s column addresses Issei and Nisei speech patterns and the evacuees’ efforts to adapt to camp life. He reflects on how Japanese Americans were perceived and how they tried to build lives under difficult conditions.
Community
- Cleveland to host 11th biennial EDC-MDC confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Cleveland JACL will host the joint Eastern Midwest District Council conference August 21-24 at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea. The program includes workshops, a keynote address, and a Saturday dinner-dance.
- Seattle JACL reports on senior nutrition program, by Sally Kazama, page 1. Seattle’s federally funded nutrition program serves elderly Nikkei at several sites, offering hot meals, games, and support services. The article describes the program’s participants and the services available to them.
- CCDC regional office site of Girls Day fete, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 100 people gathered at the newly opened Fresno JACL regional office to celebrate Girls’ Day with doll displays and refreshments. The office also serves as an information center for the aged and needy.
- Multi-ethnic programs enhance S.E. Seattle secondary schools, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Seattle’s southeast region schools have expanded a Japanese cultural program into a multi-ethnic Cultural Heritage Program with Black, Chicano, and Rainbow components. A $100,000 school board budget supports volunteer and student-exchange efforts to improve the learning climate.
- Chapter Pulse, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Brief reports from JACL chapters across the country cover installations, scholarship and election news, and upcoming events. Chapters including Dayton, Twin Cities, Riverside, Milwaukee, and San Mateo are noted.
- All-time highs, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Chicago JACL Federal Credit Union reported record assets and membership growth over the past year. The credit union’s performance reflects strong member participation.
- Japanese American Cultural Heritage Program dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A community dinner and program highlighted cultural activities and recognized local volunteers and leaders. Speakers discussed the value of ethnic heritage education.
- Shooting of Nisei ruled justifiable, by P.C. Staff, page 4. An inquest in Seattle found that police were justified in shooting John Okihara, an unemployed man who advanced on officers with an ax. The article recounts the circumstances leading to the incident.
JACL
- PSWDC demands board probe of executives, by Harry Honda, page 1. At a special meeting in Los Angeles, the Pacific Southwest District Council voted 15-9 to ask the National Board to investigate the National President and National Director. The motion followed disputes over the hiring of a development officer and administrative conduct.
- Pacific Southwest District Council’s special session on the changing JACL, by Harry Honda, page 2. The article analyzes the Pacific Southwest District Council’s concerns that the national president failed to provide executive direction, leaving the National Director to make policy-level decisions. It argues the district’s demands reflect a push for participatory democracy within JACL.
Incarceration & Redress
- Justice: better late than never, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Judge William Bauer suspended a federal prison term for former Chicago police officer Masanobu Noro, citing the time Noro’s family spent in WWII camps. The column discusses the decision’s legal and symbolic significance for redress.
Arts & Entertainment
- Ainiieee!, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 4. A review of Ainiieee!: An Anthology of Asian-American Writers, with attention to Hisaye Yamamoto’s stories about Japanese American farm families. The review praises her understated humor and her portrayal of Issei characters.
In-Depth
- Psychological warfare, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article reviews a book on Allied psychological warfare in World War II, focusing on propaganda aimed at Japanese leaders. It argues that poor understanding of the target audience reduced the effectiveness of the broadcasts.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.