Title II repeal and the Rohwer memorial days

Vol. 69, No. 24, December 12, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

The push to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the concentration camp authorization, led this six-page issue. The Justice Department said it favored repeal, and Senator Daniel Inouye’s bill was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Inouye welcomed the news, JACL’s repeal chairmen urged members to keep up the campaign, and an editorial called on Congress to act. Arkansas also proclaimed Japanese American Memorial Days at the former Rohwer camp, honoring the Nisei war dead of the 442nd, and Mike Masaoka wrote about the weekend in his column.

Jerry Enomoto’s Perspectives column looked back on recent District Council meetings. Bill Hosokawa described an autograph party in Denver for his book Nisei: The Quiet Americans, and a separate review of the book appears on page 6. Elsewhere are S.I. Hayakawa’s remarks in Fresno, Don Hayashi’s report on the Intermountain convention, a film review of Jigoku-hen, and chapter news from Gardena Valley and Berkeley.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Perspectives, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on recent District Council meetings, including the PSWDC Chapter Clinic and the IDC and CCDC conventions. He highlights the Greater Pasadena Area Chapter’s ethnic studies project and celebrates new district leaders.
• Arkansas Weekend, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka recounts the Arkansas Japanese American Memorial Days, which began with efforts by Lewis Johnson Jr. to restore the Rohwer cemetery. He describes the banquets, tributes, and the warm reception from Arkansans.
• Hayakawa Tells Fresno Audience S.F. State Will Remain Peaceful, page 3. San Francisco State president S.I. Hayakawa told the CCDC convention that students want campus peace and proposed a National Service Corps for youth. He criticized radical student tactics and said colleges must restore academic freedom.
• Bill Hosokawa From the Frying Pan: On Being an Author, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes an autograph party in Denver for his book Nisei: The Quiet Americans. He recounts the varied readers who came to buy it and what their interest revealed.
• Rapping Together, by Don Hayashi, page 4. Don Hayashi reports on the IDC-IDYC convention in Ontario, Oregon, which focused on the future of the Intermountain District. He discusses civil rights concerns and the value of communication across generations.
• Dios Mio, Que Soy!, by Frank Fukazawa, page 5. A reviewer discusses the Mexican Nisei booklet by Ing. Miguel Meguro, which explores identity and dual cultural life. The column reflects on the adaptability and opportunities of Nisei in Mexico.
• Film Review: Jigoku-hen a masterpiece, by Alon Kumamoto, page 5. A review of Toho Studio’s film Jigoku-hen, based on Akutagawa’s tale, set in the Heian era. The reviewer praises Kinnosuke Nakamura and the film’s imaginative photography and music.
• Editorial: Repeal Title II, page 6. The editorial urges Congress to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act, which allows detention of citizens during emergencies. It cites the 1942 incarceration and FBI Director Hoover’s remarks about Chinese Americans as reasons for concern.
• A book for all to get record straight on AJAs, page 6. A review praises Bill Hosokawa’s book Nisei: The Quiet Americans as a thoughtful, well-researched history of Japanese Americans. The reviewer argues it will help readers understand Asian American identity.
• Another Giant Step Backwards for Man, by Dennis Yasutomo, page 6. Dennis Yasutomo responds to Dr. Frank Sakamoto’s column on youth participation in JACL leadership. He argues that young members deserve genuine opportunities and that JACL must adapt to remain relevant.
• Title II Repeal (letter), by Jon Funabiki, page 6. Jon Funabiki asks for background material on the Internal Security Act to present a repeal resolution to the East Palo Alto Municipal Council. The Pacific Citizen editor offers available copies of speeches and reports.
• Accent on Youth, page 6. A columnist encourages young people to show enthusiasm and act toward positive change despite threats of war and social problems. The piece emphasizes personal responsibility in shaping the future.

Military & Veterans

• Arkansas honors Nisei at Rohwer, page 1. Arkansas officials proclaimed Japanese American Memorial Days at the former Rohwer WRA camp, with ceremonies honoring the Nisei war dead of the 442nd. Lt. Gov. Maurice Britt, Japanese Embassy Minister Bunroku Yoshino, and JACL representative Mike Masaoka spoke at the events.
• Rites at Rohwer, page 2. Speakers at the Rohwer memorial services, including Congressman David Pryor and Chicago Nisei Post commander Tio Fujiwara, honored the 442nd and the Japanese American evacuees. The ceremonies concluded with a cemetery dedication and honor guard.

JACL

• Intermountain DC re-elects Yokota, page 1. Ronnie Yokota of Boise was re-elected governor of the Intermountain District Council at its convention hosted by Snake River Valley JACL. Other district officers were also named.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL to testify on Guidelines, page 1. JACL’s Committee for Responsible Education will present recommendations on proposed morality guidelines at a State Board of Education hearing. Rev. Roy I. Sano will serve as JACL’s representative.

National

• Justice Dept. favors repeal of Title II, page 1. The Justice Department announced it favors repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the concentration camp authorization. Senator Inouye’s repeal bill was subsequently reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Anti-Oriental bias in civil service probed, page 1. San Francisco’s fair employment practices commission investigated charges that civil service examiners discriminated against Asian employees in promotional tests. Attorney Gordon Lau represented the complainants, who said they were unfairly graded.
• Playground fires Sansei school recreation aide, page 1. Berkeley’s recreation department dismissed Stan Nakahara, a UC Berkeley student, from his school recreation post after he held unauthorized dance classes. Teachers and parents, most of them Negro, supported him.
• Nisei among ‘purged’ faculty at S.F. State, page 1. Dr. Dora Tachibana, an assistant biology professor at San Francisco State College, was among union teachers whose contracts were not renewed. The American Federation of Teachers called it a purge of militant faculty, which the administration denied.
• Inouye welcomes news because of rumors to contrary, page 1. Senator Daniel Inouye welcomed the Justice Department’s support for repealing Title II and said the department had recognized the threat the law poses. He had introduced repeal legislation and noted that rumors had suggested otherwise.
• Keep up campaign, Title II repeal chairmen say in greeting good news, page 1. JACL Title II repeal chairmen urged members to continue their campaign despite the Justice Department’s favorable position. They praised Senator Inouye’s efforts to win committee approval of his repeal bill.

Community

• Asian Americans for Peace in L.A. in 3rd moratorium, page 1. Asian Americans for Peace will join the third nationwide Vietnam moratorium by publishing a statement in local ethnic newspapers. The group’s statement is titled Asian Americans against the Crime of Silence.
• Accurate census concern of S.F. Chinatown council, page 3. The Chinese Community Council in San Francisco worked to ensure an accurate 1970 census among residents with limited English. Census officials promised bilingual interpreters and instructions.
• PSWD group auto insurance under study, page 4. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council is evaluating group auto insurance plans for its members. Brokers and companies were invited to submit proposals by January 9, 1970.
• Gardena Valley installs officers, page 4. Gardena Valley JACL installed Helen Kawagoe as 1970 president at its annual installation dinner. Senator Ralph Dills was the guest speaker.
• Berkeley JACL reelects Takahashi president, page 4. Harry Takahashi was re-elected to a second term as Berkeley JACL president at a board meeting. The chapter also honored several members.

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