Vol. 70, No. 20, May 22, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue
The war in Southeast Asia and the question of dissent ran through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto wrote about the Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council’s letter opposing the Cambodia action and the violent repression of student dissent. Mike Masaoka argued that protest alone was not enough and urged readers to write to Congress. The Pacific Southwest District Council unanimously urged President Nixon to withdraw troops from Cambodia, and former ambassador Edwin Reischauer told a Berkeley audience that Japan would likely gain influence in the region.
Other pages carry Harry Honda’s report on William Marutani’s pre-convention talk, Dr. Clifford Uyeda on Gordon Hirabayashi’s speech in San Francisco, and Warren Furutani’s first trip to New York. Scholarship winners from Central California and Sacramento are named, and the JACL Student Aid Program announced its June 15 deadline. Letters on the Nisei of the Biennium selection close the issue.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- NC-WNDYC Speaks Up, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reflects on the Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council’s letter opposing the Cambodia action and violent repression of student dissent. He argues that dissent is a legitimate part of democracy and that JACL must confront difficult issues ahead.
- Dissent Is Not Enough, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka argues that protest alone is insufficient and that citizens should write to Congress, which holds power over war funding and can curb presidential authority. He urges opponents of the Cambodia invasion to contact their senators and representatives and to use the ballot box.
- Nisei Attitude Bares 2nd-Class Mentality, by Harry Honda, page 3. William Marutani, speaking at a Pacific Southwest JACL pre-convention rally, criticized Nisei for deferential attitudes toward white Americans and urged them to be proud and assertive. He also proposed reforms in JACL programs and practices.
- The Big Apple, by Warren Furutani, page 4. Warren Furutani describes his first trip to New York while on assignment for JACL with Asian American groups on the East Coast and in the Midwest. He recounts the city’s contrasts, including a memorable subway ride.
- Letters: Nisei of the Biennium, by Isao Fujimoto, page 6. Isao Fujimoto argues that Japanese Americans should control how their community is defined, and recommends that the Nisei of the Biennium selection include representatives from different age groups and areas. He notes that most scholarly studies of Asian Americans have been done by non-Asian researchers.
- Jerry’s Retort, by Jerry Enomoto, page 6. Enomoto responds to Clifford Uyeda’s letter about his memorandum concerning Dr. S.I. Hayakawa’s possible selection as Nisei of the Biennium. He denies threatening boycott or picketing and says the decision belongs to the judges.
National
- Japan Seen as Power in Southeast Asia After U.S. Withdraws, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former ambassador Edwin Reischauer told a Berkeley audience that Japan will likely replace the United States as a major influence in Southeast Asia. He said U.S. policy in the region is inconsistent and called for a quick withdrawal and a broader Japanese role.
- Nisei Pastor Feels Church Vigor Lost in Integration, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rev. Paul Hagiya told the United Methodist General Conference that Japanese American Methodists are worse off after integration with the wider church. He said the process amounted to absorption that cost the community its vigor and zeal.
- Hawaii Legislature Against Title II, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Hawaii legislature adopted a resolution calling for repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act and forwarded it to Washington. The Tacoma Human Relations Commission also voted to support the JACL repeal campaign.
Community
- Pair Found Hanged in L.A. Jail Cell, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Two cellmates at the Wilshire Division station in Los Angeles were found hanged with improvised nooses. One of the men, Spencer K. Mochizuki, had been arrested after a robbery and high-speed chase.
- PSW Education Workshop Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council planned an open workshop to launch its Education Committee. The committee will develop programs on Asian American curriculum, media, community involvement, and school communications.
- NC-WNDYC Protests Cambodia Action, Violent Repression of Student Dissent, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council wrote to President Nixon on May 11 opposing the Cambodian action and the violent suppression of student dissent. The letter urged peaceful, constructive approaches to reform.
- Central Cal DC Scholarship Winners Selected, by Thomas Toyama, page 4. Keith Matsuoka of Kingsburg and Marian Yamagata of Reedley were named winners of the Central California JACL District Council scholarships. Both were recognized for strong campus leadership and academic achievement.
- Eight Sacramentans Named for Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Sacramento JACL scholarship committee selected eight outstanding high school graduates of Japanese ancestry for chapter and community scholarships. The winners will pursue studies in fields including genetics, engineering, mathematics, and music.
JACL
- District Nominees Spec for Nat’l Election, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article lists district nominees for national JACL offices, including president, president-elect, vice presidents, treasurer, and 1000 Club chairman, based on nominations filed by May 16, 1970. Further nominations may be made from the floor of the National Council.
- PSW Takes Anti-War Stand, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Pacific Southwest District Council unanimously urged President Nixon to withdraw troops from Cambodia immediately and to set an early date for total withdrawal from Southeast Asia. The resolution was authored by Harry Kawahara of the Greater Pasadena JACL.
- JACL Student Aid Program 1970 Applications Due June 15, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The JACL Student Aid Program opened applications for 1970 grants, which are based on need and potential rather than past scholastic records. Applications are due June 15, and last year JACL assisted ten students with a total of $2,000.
Incarceration & Redress
- Japanese American ‘Hard Core’ Being Ignored, Community Worker Charges, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Community worker Richard Toguchi charged that government and private programs are unresponsive to Japanese American hard-core ex-offenders seeking employment and rehabilitation. He argued that Asian Americans deserve fair treatment as taxpayers.
- Hirabayashi: A Footnote in Nisei History, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 4. Uyeda recounts Gordon Hirabayashi’s speech in San Francisco about his challenges to wartime curfew and evacuation orders, which reached the Supreme Court. He emphasizes Hirabayashi’s nonviolent courage and his view that protest should be grounded in positive goals.
Obituaries
- Passing of a Great Lady, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recalls Dr. Helen Kim, president emeritus of Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, who died in February at age 70. He describes her wartime work as an educator and her lasting contributions to Korean education.
Military & Veterans
- Dr. Noguchi Speaker for L.A. Memorial Day Rites, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi, Los Angeles county coroner, will deliver the keynote at the Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council Memorial Day service at Evergreen Cemetery on May 30. Roy Shiraga, DAV Nisei Chapter 100 commander, will preside.
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