Asian American hiring, the Elks’ whites-only rule, and a JACL roast

Vol. 72, No. 13, April 2, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

Discrimination in hiring and membership ran through the front page of this six-page issue. Chapters pressed school and college boards in San Diego, Sacramento and Seattle over too few Asian American administrators and faculty, and Nisei in Idaho Falls were inducted into the Fraternal Order of Eagles after it dropped its whites-only clause. National JACL President Raymond Uno wrote about a presidential roast in Salt Lake City where questions came up about JACL’s relevance, and Harry K. Honda reported on the National Board meeting in Los Angeles.

On page 2, Mike Masaoka reported on House hearings over repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the government’s pursuit of the remaining fine against Iva Toguri D’Aquino, the woman known as Tokyo Rose. Page 6 carries letters on health plans, drug overdoses and JACL scholarships, plus a preface to critiques of a book about Japanese Americans.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• U-No Bar: Roasting of a President, by Raymond Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno recounts a presidential roast in Salt Lake City where questions were raised about JACL’s relevance and programming. He reflects on generational differences, assimilation, and the tension between conflict and harmony within the organization.
• A Sense of Values, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa questions the government’s pursuit of the remaining Tokyo Rose fine against Iva Toguri D’Aquino decades after her conviction. He contrasts her case with other war criminals and wartime figures who faced lighter consequences.
• Tokyo Rose Fine Miscarriage of Justice, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Attorney Wayne Collins argues Iva Toguri D’Aquino was a scapegoat in a trumped-up treason case and that the government is now pursuing the remaining $5,265 of her fine. He notes the broadcasts were produced under government control.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on the Tokyo Rose case and wartime propaganda broadcasts. He reflects on the fairness of prosecuting one woman while others were not charged.
• Potshots, by Don Hoyashi, page 4. Hoyashi comments on a United Methodist conference addressing ethnic ministry and the need for Asian American church leadership. He calls for seminary training and institutional support for ethnic congregations.
• Judging Scholarship Candidates, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Honda discusses the difficulty of judging National JACL scholarship candidates due to inconsistent rank-in-class data across schools. He suggests SAT or ACT scores are a more uniform measure, while also noting the needs of students who do not attend college.
• Hair, Raven or Red, by Richard Gima, page 5. Gima observes that Japanese women’s hair color has shifted from uniform black to a wide range of dyed shades. He compares the trend with athletes and bowlers in Japan.
• Will It Be Too Late?, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial reviews a Los Angeles Times feature on the Elks, noting its charitable work and its white-only membership clause. It warns that continued exclusion may leave the lodge out of step with changing times.
• Health Plans, by Takashi Hattori, M.D., page 6. Dr. Hattori disputes claims in a prior article that the JACL Blue Shield plan is far superior to others. He questions the plan’s financial outlook and enrollment provisions and asks for a detailed benefits comparison.
• Drug Overdose, by Murray M. Hori, page 6. Hori responds to a report on a local youth’s fatal narcotics overdose, arguing the focus should be on why young people turn to drugs. He calls on parents to engage with their children and show respect.
• JACL Scholarship, by Julie Kageyama, page 6. Kageyama, a Japan resident admitted to Wellesley College, asks how to seek JACL scholarship support since no local chapter exists in Japan. She describes her education and financial needs.
• Preface: The Untold Story Critiques, by Asian American Studies Consortium, page 6. The introduction explains why critiques of the book Japanese Americans: The Untold Story were compiled after Japanese American groups raised concerns. It recounts the JACP’s prior projects and the JACL’s review process.

Community

• San Diego Schools Neglect Asian American Students, JACL Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Diego JACL chairman Isao Horiye told the Board of Education that the district neglects Asian American students in personnel and curriculum. He requested an Asian American educational task force and several specific programs.
• Sacramento JACL Urges Asian Hiring in Los Rios Community College District, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Carnegie Ouye of the Sacramento JACL told the Los Rios board that Asian enrollment has grown while Asian administrators and faculty remain absent. The chapter formed an ad hoc committee to study the problem and report in September.
• JACL Complains of Racist Hiring by Seattle Community College, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Seattle JACL filed a federal complaint alleging racial discrimination in hiring at Seattle Community College, noting few Asian administrators despite qualified applicants. The chapter invoked Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• Hayward City Officials Told to Quit Elks, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Hayward human relations commission urged the city to act against the Elks Club over its discriminatory membership rules and asked city officials who belong to quit the lodge.
• Anti-Japan Club Organized in Thailand, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Thai university group reportedly organized to protest Japanese economic influence in Thailand. The club seeks to counter perceptions of Japan’s economic role.

Military & Veterans

• Distinguished Service Cross for Valor Awarded to Fowler Sansei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Donald K. Kimura of Fowler received the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in Vietnam in January 1970 while serving as a medic. He braved enemy fire to treat wounded soldiers and rescue a comrade.

National

• National Order Modifies ‘White Only’ Rule for Initiation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Four Nisei in Idaho Falls became among the first non-Caucasians inducted into the Fraternal Order of Eagles after the order removed its whites-only clause. The change followed pressure from local lodges and a national convention vote.
• Amendment to Calif. FEPC Act Will Affect Elks, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Assemblyman Leon Ralph introduced a bill extending California fair employment law to social clubs such as the Elks. The package also empowers FEPC investigations and requires state cooperation with employers on job discrimination.
• Cabinet-Level Committee Seeks Federal Opportunities for Asian Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL national executive committee endorsed an ad hoc White House committee to encourage Asian Americans to seek federal civil service jobs. Committee members include Washington-area Nisei holding high civil service posts.

JACL

• JACL Board Acts on Washington Office, White House Committee, and Other Issues, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. The JACL National Board meeting in Los Angeles approved a Washington JACL Office trainee and several executive actions. The report covers the board’s deliberations on federal and community priorities.
• David Ushio Appointed Washington JACL Office Trainee, by P.C. Staff, page 1. David Evan Ushio, a BYU political science instructor, was named trainee under JACL Washington representative Mike Masaoka starting April 19. He has a background in JACL oratory, missionary work, and minority relations.

Incarceration & Redress

• Title II Repeal Opposition, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports on House hearings for the Matsunaga-Holifield repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act, which would bar wartime-style detention camps. He warns that the competing Ichord-Ashbrook amendment bill could preempt repeal.

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