Vol. 66, No. 25, June 21, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue
The assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy shaped this six-page issue. JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote that American society was not sick but “threatened,” and called for tougher gun control. JACL also issued a statement mourning Kennedy. Readers Jan Iwasaki and others added their own letters. Civil rights ran through the issue as well: Ross Harano urged JACL to take a strong stand and to pass leadership to the Sansei, and Bill Marutani wrote about the names used for Black Americans.
Elsewhere, Congressman Spark Matsunaga warned that the story of the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was fading from memory. Dr. Thomas Noguchi was confirmed as Los Angeles County coroner, and artist Paul Horiuchi received an honorary degree. Roy Nishikawa reported on talks about JACL’s future, and Yuji Ichioka announced the Asian-American Political Alliance. Convention plans for San Jose also appeared.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Threatened Society, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and argues that American society is a threatened society in need of stronger leadership against violence. He calls for JACL to support tougher gun control legislation and to monitor the Internal Security Act of 1950.
- Individualism, by Roger Nikaido, page 2. Washington Newsletter columnist Roger Nikaido argues that assassinations and mass movements have eroded individualism in America. He urges readers to balance participation in collective movements with preserving personal identity.
- Week of Action, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on his youngest daughter’s high school graduation and the changing role of education in American families. He contrasts past and present expectations about college and the working class.
- Sansei views on JACL and civil rights, by Ross Harano, page 3. Ross Harano asks JACL and Nisei to support civil rights actively, drawing on the Sansei perspective and comparing Japanese American and Black experiences. He challenges JACL to build chapter-level commitment and to pass leadership to the Sansei.
- The Winds of Change, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 4. Past National President Roy Nishikawa reports on Planning Commission discussions with JACL leaders about the organization’s future. He notes a broad desire for greater involvement in civil rights and community issues beyond social programs.
- Nomination Time, by Lily A. Okura, page 4. MPDC Governor Lily Okura reminds members of the June 21 nominations deadline for national JACL offices and explains the nominations procedure. She notes few candidate applications had been received by early June.
- Not Negro, but Afro-American or Black…, by Bill Marutani, page 5. Bill Marutani discusses the terminology used for Black Americans, arguing that Negro was a term imposed by the majority and that Afro-American is a more appropriate designation. He ties the naming of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X to rejection of slave-master surnames.
- Brotherhood for RFK, by Jan Iwasaki, page 6. A young Denver reader mourns Senator Robert F. Kennedy and calls on Americans to end violence and work toward brotherhood across races and economic classes.
- Political Alliance, by Yuji Ichioka, page 6. Yuji Ichioka announces the formation of the Asian-American Political Alliance to speak out on political issues affecting Asian Americans and other minorities. He criticizes Asian American silence and questions whether existing American society is worth integrating into.
- Eye for an eye…?, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reader questions why society demands the death of an assassin only when a prominent figure is killed, arguing that all lives are equally precious. The letter reflects on the emotional reaction following assassinations.
- Youth Intern Program, by Don Hayashi, page 6. Portland Junior JACL president Don Hayashi begins a summer internship in the JACL Youth Program in Los Angeles. He hopes to understand the national Junior JACL structure and contribute ideas to increase youth participation.
Military & Veterans
- Matsunaga fears heroism of 442nd may be forgotten, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At an Arlington National Cemetery service marking the 20th anniversary of the reinterment of two 442nd soldiers, Congressman Spark Matsunaga warned that the heroic story of Japanese American combat units is fading from public memory. He noted that visiting teachers from Hawaii were unaware of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Community
- Noguchi confirmed as county coroner, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. Thomas Noguchi was permanently appointed Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, with supervisors praising his handling of the Robert F. Kennedy autopsy. The appointment followed a probationary period marked by a contested vote.
- Nisei of Biennium candidates revealed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Recognitions Committee announced three early nominees for the Nisei of the Biennium award: Dr. Chihiro Kikuchi, Dr. Jin H. Kinoshita, and George Yamaoka. Their accomplishments in nuclear engineering, ophthalmology, and law were summarized.
- Recognition for Bonin return, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Mike Masaoka will be honored by the Japanese government for his role in the return of the Bonin Islands to Japan. A special ceremony with Prime Minister Eisaku Sato is planned in Tokyo.
- West District: Masao Satow addresses San Francisco Rotary, by Robert Patterson, page 4. Masao Satow spoke to the San Francisco Rotary Club about the history of Japanese Americans, from immigration through wartime incarceration to postwar acceptance. He stressed democratic participation and the shared responsibility of all Americans.
- Jr. JACL Booster Events planned for convention, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The article previews junior booster activities at the National Convention in San Jose, including recreation, a lawn party, and a slave auction. Hideko Janet Oda chairs the committee and pre-registration deadlines are noted.
Arts & Entertainment
- Doctor of Humanities Degree Conferred on Paul Horiuchi, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. Seattle artist Paul Horiuchi received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from the University of Puget Sound. The article traces his career, wartime hardships, and recognition including his famous ceramic mural at the Seattle Center.
National
- California measure may shut door on Nisei apprentices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL objects to Assembly Bill 1463, which could bar Japanese Americans from job training programs by limiting services to economically disadvantaged minority groups. Chapter leaders were urged to contact state senators about the bill.
- JACL committing hara kiri without civil rights stress, by Ross Harano, page 1. Chicago Sansei leader Ross Harano told the Midwest District Council that JACL must adopt a strong civil rights stance to survive. He urged Nisei to hand leadership to Sansei and to understand the frustrations of the Negro community.
Obituaries
- JACL mourns death of Sen. Kennedy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL issued a statement mourning Senator Robert F. Kennedy, praising his principles of peace, racial brotherhood, and freedom from poverty. The organization pledged to work toward the nation he envisioned.
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