Newsweek’s ‘Success Story’ and JACL chapters zeroing in on local problems

Vol. 73, No. 1, July 2, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

Newsweek’s article “Success Story: Outwhiting the Whites” drew the sharpest response in this six-page issue. Five pieces on the front page reacted to it. The National JACL Ethnic Concerns Committee, chaired by Dr. David Miura, called it racist. Ellen Endo Kayano, Kunitsugu Kaunitsugu, Edison Uno and Jeffrey Matsui each gave a different view. Also on page one, National JACL President Raymond Uno described chapters in Seattle, Sacramento, Gardena Valley and elsewhere taking on problems in their own communities. The JACL Student Aid pilot program was set to expand nationwide.

Elsewhere in the issue, Mike Masaoka wrote about his round-the-world testimonial trip, and Bill Hosokawa contributed a column. Robert T. Matsui announced a run for the Sacramento city council, and Edwin Hiroto’s Assembly primary race was followed on two pages. Henry Ford II apologized to JACL over his use of “Japs.” Columns by David Ushio, John Ohta and Joe Oyama fill the back pages.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Zeroing In, by Raymond Uno, page 1. JACL National President Raymond Uno describes chapters across the country tackling community problems and the organization’s growing influence as an umbrella group for the Japanese American community. He also notes the Salt Lake Chapter’s ethnic workshop and its successful rummage sale fundraiser.
• JACL student aid pilot program to go ‘national’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Student Aid Committee, chaired by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, expands its pilot program from the Pacific Southwest District to the entire nation. Each district council may recommend up to 15 applicants for assistance.
• Nominations for two $500 Sumitomo collegiate awards, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL opened nominations for two $500 Sumitomo Bank of California collegiate scholarships for students currently enrolled in college who have not yet achieved a baccalaureate degree. Chapters are asked to submit nominations.

Commentary

• Reactions mixed to Newsweek’s article, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Ethnic Concerns Committee branded Newsweek’s ‘Success Story: Outwhiting the Whites’ as a racist article for featuring George Kobayashi’s quotes. Committee chairman Dr. David Miura called it irresponsible journalism that fosters disharmony among ethnic groups.
• Nisei being ‘used’ by Newsweek, says editor, by Ellen Endo Kayano, page 1. Rafu Shimpo editor Ellen Endo Kayano argues the Newsweek article could open eyes in the Japanese American community and criticizes Uncle Tomism. She warns that analyzing an ethnic group of 500,000 invites misleading generalizations.
• Nisei ‘outwhiting whites’ no secret, says editor, by Kunitsugu Kaunitsugu, page 1. Kaunitsugu defends the Newsweek article as fair and honest, though abbreviated, and argues Nisei excel in racial prejudice because they feel less secure in their recently won status. She rebuts the claim that blacks drive property values down.
• Edison Uno cautioned against ‘model’ trap, by Edison Uno, page 1. Edison Uno expresses disappointment in the Newsweek article, reproducing his letter to Newsweek correspondent William Cook. He had warned against portraying Japanese Americans as a model minority, which pits minorities against one another.
• Nisei shouldn’t be tool of racial comparisons, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 1. JACL associate national director Jeffrey Matsui told Newsweek editors the article was unsatisfactory for comparing Nisei with other racial groups. He said the article was harmful to race relations.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa uses a humorous mirror dialogue to reflect on public drunkenness, establishment conformity, and minority demands for acceptance. He concludes that sensitivity to words and behavior makes public discourse difficult.
• Recollections of Japan, by David Ushio, page 5. David Ushio reflects on his years in Japan, including discovering his ancestral roots in Nara and Hiroshima with a professor. He argues that Sansei must use their heritage to combat stereotyping and injustice.
• Pioneers, by John Ohta, page 6. John Ohta responds to Warren Furutani’s column comparing Issei pioneers to figures like Columbus and the Pilgrims. He argues the comparison is unfair because early European settlers committed massacres while Issei sought harmony.
• Seismologist, by Joe Oyama, page 6. Joe Oyama recounts visiting New York with Japanese earthquake specialist Dr. Arata Sugimura, discussing building foundations and Tokyo’s sinking ground. The column also describes the Statue of Liberty visit and Chinatown dining.
• Right On, S. I. Hayakawa!, by P.C. Staff, page 6. An editorial praises S.I. Hayakawa for criticizing Berkeley council members who dropped the pledge of allegiance. Hayakawa argued the pledge expresses hopes rather than a description of the country.

Community

• Nisei bids for Sac’to city council, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Robert T. Matsui, a past Sacramento JACL chapter president and attorney, announced his candidacy for the 8th district seat on the Sacramento city council. He advocates a new approach to personnel practices, minority representation, parks, housing and zoning.
• Delta College names study facility for famed Issei grower, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Delta College trustees voted to name a education center after the late George Shima, the Potato King of the 1920s. Shima reclaimed San Joaquin Delta land using the dike method and amassed a fortune by his death in 1926.
• Member for only 3 days dies, widow acknowledges life insurance benefit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An officer of a JACL chapter opened a savings account with the National JACL Credit Union to encourage other members, but died shortly after joining. His widow received the life insurance benefit, which she acknowledged as an unusual circumstance.
• Reporter explains, Ford regrets use of racial epithet, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Henry Ford II apologized to JACL for reportedly using ‘Japs’ in describing Japanese auto success, though he denied any intent to disparage. Wall Street Journal reporter Norman Pearlstine said he would not alter quotations from public figures.
• Hiroto unable to take lead in Republican Berth, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edwin Hiroto, a Nisei health care administrator, trailed in the special primary election for the 48th Assembly District seat as returns came in. Roberti and Brophy led the early and later tallies.
• News Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Brief items cover Japanese American students selected for the Years-in-Japan program, UC Berkeley’s co-student body presidents, and Sen. Hiram Fong receiving an honorary law degree. Other items note Nisei graduation speakers and sports achievements.
• Flections: Hiroto campaign results continued, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Edwin Hiroto’s Republican primary campaign for the Assembly seat was stressed on anti-pollution and park expansion. His loss leaves open whether another special election will be held.
• Supervisor election by districts in S.F. sought, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An initiative campaign seeks to elect San Francisco’s 11 supervisors by district rather than at large. Supporters argue district elections would make supervisors more responsive to their constituencies.
• Students in Japan feel ‘superior’ to others except Germans, poll shows, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A survey of 1,671 Japanese university students found they regard Japanese as superior to most nations except Germany. Many students described Japan as pollution-plagued with diligent but confused people.
• Nisei trustee for Bishop Estates, by Allen Beekman, page 3. Hawaiian organizations, including Kamehameha Schools alumni, opposed the State Supreme Court’s appointment of former councilman Matsuo Takabuki to the Bernice P. Bishop Estate board of trustees. They argued a qualified Hawaiian should have filled the seat.
• Calif. school counselors at convention neglect Asians, but not so from 1972, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Harry Kawahara complained that the 1971 California Personnel and Guidance Association convention ignored Asian American students, and was appointed to organize an Asian American workshop for the 1972 convention. He argued Asian American students face identity crises and are steered toward a narrow range of careers.
• Asian American Education Commission to add 3 more members, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Asian American Education Commission will meet to become familiar with the Los Angeles school system and identify its priorities. Three additional commission members are to be nominated at the conference.
• Harbor commissioners honor Nisei for strengthening L.A.-Japan port ties, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Los Angeles Harbor Commission honored recently retired commissioner Fred Isamu Wada with a commendatory scroll at a luncheon. Wada was credited with strengthening trade ties between the Port of Los Angeles and Japanese cities and prefectures.
• Gardena to observe Japanese community week, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Organizations are planning Gardena Japanese Community Week for August 29 through September 4, including a relocation camp art show, film festival and family picnic. An organizational meeting is scheduled for July 7.
• Hawaii establishes 1-year residency law to curb welfare, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hawaii set a one-year residency requirement for welfare recipients to discourage young transients drawn by summer lifestyles. State officials say many newcomers swell welfare rolls.

Incarceration & Redress

• WW2 story with ‘Japs’ in text defended by book consultant, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A California state textbook consultant defended John Hersey’s use of the term ‘Jap’ in his 1944 story ‘Survival’ after Victor Asawa of the Selanoco JACL protested. She argued the term was period-appropriate for Navy personnel in the South Pacific.

National

• Harris poll: How U.S. sees the Japanese, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Louis Harris poll commissioned by the Asahi Shimbun found Americans view the Japanese positively, praising their work ethic, politeness and economic achievements. Significant minorities still attributed negative traits and held stereotypes based on limited contact.
• U.S. image in Japan still good, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An Asahi Shimbun nationwide poll found Japanese still generally retain a kindly image of Americans, with 26 percent liking the U.S. and 16 percent disliking it. Most respondents regard the U.S. as the country Japan must keep friendliest ties with.
• Mike Masaoka Testimonial Trip, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka writes from Washington about the round-the-world trip made possible by a testimonial fund raised at the 1970 JACL Convention. He describes the itinerary and explains the transfer of Washington newsletter duties to Dave Ushio.
• Japan to ask Soviets for return of Kuriles, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Japan’s foreign minister said Japan would ask the Soviet Union to return the Kuril Islands after the U.S. returned Okinawa. The Soviets seized the Kuriles at the end of World War II.

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.