Sansei confront Earl Warren, and JACL looks beyond civil rights

Vol. 68, No. 17, April 25, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

A confrontation at UC Berkeley led this six-page issue. Japanese American students approached Chief Justice Earl Warren after his speech and asked him to apologize for his part in the wartime incarceration (often called internment). Warren refused, saying he never apologizes for past acts. A letter by Clifford T. Uyeda on page 6 urged Japanese Americans to demand a retraction from him. Also on page 1, Jerry Enomoto answered a call for JACL to take up conservation, and Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a bill to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act.

Other pages carry Mike Masaoka on the North Korean shootdown of a US reconnaissance plane, Bill Hosokawa on a visit by Dillon S. Myer to Denver, and Raymond S. Uno’s report on a civil rights conference in Washington. Two writers, Henry Tanaka and Shuyo Matsumoto, reflect on a human relations workshop in Chicago. Page 1 also announces plans for the Wakamatsu Colony Memorial at Gold Hill.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Other Interests?, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto responds to Ken Kitajima’s call for JACL to broaden its concerns beyond civil rights to include conservation issues such as preserving San Francisco Bay. He also briefly addresses state education tax relief legislation and a Sacramento Chapter drug abuse dinner.
• Editorial: JACL-Wakamatsu Fund Drive, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The editorial urges readers to contribute to the JACL-Wakamatsu Centennial Fund Drive supporting the Wakamatsu Colony Memorial at Gold Hill, Coloma. It frames the memorial as the inaugural event of the Centennial of Japanese immigration to the United States.
• Spy Mission and Japanese Reactions, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka examines the North Korean shootdown of a US naval reconnaissance plane and President Nixon’s measured response. He discusses how the incident intensifies Japanese opposition to the US security treaty and Premier Sato’s political difficulties.
• Program Implementation Not Easy, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This civil rights commentary argues that meaningful human relations programs are hard to implement when organizational leadership is timid. It urges chapters to challenge housing discrimination and employment barriers through public action.
• Invention & Innovation, by Alan Kumamoto, page 5. Alan Kumamoto reports on Junior JACL spring mailings and youth program efforts, plus planning for national JACL structural changes. He calls for innovative staffing and volunteer reorganization.
• Dr. Kitano Book, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 5. Jeffrey Matsui reviews Harry Kitano’s book Japanese Americans: The Evolution of a Subculture, praising its coverage while criticizing its brevity and what he sees as an overly rosy portrayal of Japanese American success.
• Modern Slogan: Security Through Individuality, by Henry Tanaka, page 6. Henry Tanaka reflects on the MDC Human Relations Workshop in Chicago, where participants candidly examined their attitudes toward one another. He calls for follow-up sensitivity training and a renewed commitment to action-oriented programs.
• MDC Workshop a Positive Step Toward Awareness, by Shuyo Matsumoto, page 6. Shuyo Matsumoto describes the emotional impact of the MDC Human Relations Workshop, reflecting on communication gaps among Nisei and Sansei and cultural identity. The essay concludes with a personal search for pride and manhood.
• Earl Warren, by Clifford T. Uyeda, page 6. Letter writer Clifford Uyeda urges Japanese Americans to stop being polite to Chief Justice Earl Warren and demand a retraction of his wartime statements. A copy of a letter to Warren asks him to acknowledge error about the evacuation.
• For Whole Involvement, by George Muraki, page 6. George Muraki writes to National JACL President Jerry Enomoto criticizing apathy and status-quo thinking in JACL and Sacramento Japanese organizations. Enomoto replies encouraging Muraki to get involved with the Sacramento Chapter.
• On Young Adults, by Dr. Robert Sakai, page 6. A letter responds to an article on why young adults have not joined JACL, arguing that shared attitudes rather than ethnic background may draw members. The writer notes declining participation in ethnic clubs generally.

Incarceration & Redress

• Sansei Confront Warren, Still Refuses to Apologize, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Japanese American students at UC Berkeley confronted Chief Justice Earl Warren after his speech and asked him to apologize for his role in the wartime incarceration. Warren refused, saying he never apologizes for past acts and that the matter is history.
• Sen. Inouye Introduces Bill to Repeal Title II, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a bill to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act, the emergency detention provisions, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Inouye argued the procedures are at odds with established judicial principles.
• Monument Dedication Planned at Gold Hill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Plans are underway for the Wakamatsu Colony Memorial dedication at Gold Hill, Coloma, with a banquet and events co-chaired by Tom Fujisaka and George Oki. The monument commemorates the Centennial of Japanese immigration.
• Dillon S. Myer, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa recounts a visit by Dillon S. Myer, former WRA director, to Denver, where a JACL-hosted gathering recalled his wartime leadership. Myer reflected on lessons from the evacuation and Nisei military service.
• Police Conspiracy Alleged in Removal of Canadian Nisei Judge, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Counsel for Judge Lucien Kurata told the Ontario inquiry that police had gained undue influence over the judiciary by making uncorroborated allegations. The inquiry concerned alleged indecent assault and an attempted suicide.

National

• Nixon Appoints Nisei to Justice Dept. Posts, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Nixon appointed Shiro Kashiwa as Assistant Attorney General and Robert K. Fukuda as U.S. District Attorney for Hawaii. Senator Hiram Fong praised the appointments as reflecting equal opportunity for minority ethnic groups.

JACL

• Interim National JACL Board Meeting Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL board will hold its interim meeting July 18-20 at the Los Angeles International Hotel. All nationally elected officers, district governors, staff, and appointed board members are expected to attend.

Community

• Whing Ding Opens PSW Confab at Disneyland Hotel, by Ken Hayashi, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council convention, co-hosted by Orange County JACL and JAYs, features a fashion show, queen contest, banquet with Dr. S.I. Hayakawa, and a youth luncheon. Registration and events are open to the public.
• Dr. Hayakawa to Address JACL at Turlock, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Dr. S.I. Hayakawa, Acting President of San Francisco State College, will keynote the banquet of the NC-WNDC second quarterly meeting at Divine Gardens in Turlock on May 4. The meeting includes business sessions and reports on the Wakamatsu Centennial and Title II repeal campaign.
• Chicago JACL Human Relations Task Forces Report, by Karen Hanamoto; Gloria Sakamoto; Chiye Tomihiro, page 1. The Chicago JACL human relations committee organized task forces on housing, education, employment, and community relations. Reports discuss open occupancy, block-busting, and efforts to inform members and educate the public on fair housing.
• Uno Summarizes CLCH Conference, by Raymond S. Uno, page 4. Raymond Uno reports on the 21st Annual National Civil Liberties Clearing House Conference in Washington, D.C., covering community control, civil rights enforcement, dissent, and crime and law enforcement. Panelists included Bayard Rustin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Senator Gale McGee.
• JACL Civil Rights Coordinator Spells Out Role for Chapters, by Sally Nakai, page 4. Raymond Uno, newly appointed National JACL Civil Rights Coordinator, discusses Japanese American positioning in civil rights and how chapters can organize human relations programs. He emphasizes local policy development and one-to-one community outreach.

Military & Veterans

• Ford Motors May Have Its First Nisei Corporate Vice President, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Semon E. Knudsen recruited Larry Shinoda from General Motors to Ford, where Shinoda directs the Special Projects Design Office. Shinoda, a Los Angeles native, is described as aspiring to become the first Japanese American vice president at Ford.

In-Depth

• Contemporary Japanese Print Show Opens Apr. 26, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The M.M. Shinno collection of contemporary Japanese prints by about 50 artists goes on exhibit in Little Tokyo April 26 through May 3. Tomoo Ogita will lecture on the evolution of modern Japanese prints.

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.