After the Title II repeal: credit, next steps and an ABC film title

Vol. 73, No. 17, October 22, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

The repeal of Title II shaped this six-page issue. JACL’s National Committee co-chairmen Ray Okamura and Edison Uno called it a temporary victory and named the goals ahead, including judicial review of the Korematsu and Hirabayashi decisions and reparations for wartime property losses. On page 6, Bill Doi, Renee Renouf and Phil Thara praised Okamura’s leadership, while Kaz Oshike argued that Rep. Spark Matsunaga and Sen. Dan Inouye deserved the chief credit. George Takei and Robert Takasugi also protested ABC’s new title for a Japanese American incarceration drama, now called ‘My Husband The Enemy.’ National President Raymond Uno wrote about living each day to its maximum.

Elsewhere, Ron Wakabayashi proposed an Asian Drug Offensive, and Bill Hosokawa described a trip to Portland. Mike Masaoka remembered Dean Acheson, and Cherry Tsutsumida surveyed the debate over the word gaijin. News of Romana Banuelos’s nomination as U.S. Treasurer also ran.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Living Each Day to Its Maximum, by Raymond S. Uno, page 1. JACL National President Raymond Uno reflects on balancing a demanding career in law and community work with family life and good health. He shares a lighthearted account of a family freeway mishap in Los Angeles and a reunion with an old Army buddy in Las Vegas.
• Acheson Dies, End of an Era, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka reflects on the death of Dean Acheson and his lasting influence on American foreign and economic policy. He also contrasts Acheson’s containment policy with Richard Nixon’s new approach of negotiation and economic change.
• ‘Gaijin’ Complaints, by Cherry Tsutsumida, page 2. Cherry Tsutsumida surveys a series of letters in Japanese English-language newspapers debating whether the term gaijin is offensive. Writers ranged from foreigners objecting to the term to Japanese readers defending it as a neutral descriptor.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes a trip to Portland, noting the smog that has crept into the city and comparing its environment unfavorably with the past. He praises Oregon’s cleanup efforts and its governor’s cautious stance on growth.
• Relaxing in Hawaii, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Harry Honda recounts a brief Hawaii stay, visiting Maui, reconnecting with correspondents Allan Beekman and Richard Gima, and discussing Beekman’s new book. He also reflects on the high cost of living in Honolulu compared with Tokyo.
• Repeal Title II, by Bill Doi, page 6. Bill Doi thanks Ray Okamura and Edison Uno for their leadership in the successful campaign to repeal Title II. He praises their dedication and organizing efforts.
• Editor letter on Ray Okamura’s role in Title II repeal, by Renee Renouf, page 6. Renee Renouf argues that Ray Okamura deserves full recognition for the Title II repeal campaign, which the PC coverage had overlooked. She calls his leadership essential to the JACL’s national movement.
• Editor letter urging recognition for Ray Okamura, by Phil Thara, page 6. Phil Thara writes to commend Ray Okamura’s leadership in the Title II repeal effort and urges that a scholarship fund be established in his honor. He emphasizes that unity was essential to the campaign’s success.
• Letter on Who Deserves Credit for Title II Repeal, by Kaz Oshike, page 6. Congressional aide Kaz Oshike disputes claims about Ray Okamura’s role in Washington, arguing that Rep. Spark Matsunaga and Sen. Dan Inouye deserve the chief credit. He notes the key work of JACL’s Washington office staff in the legislative effort.

National

• JACL Protests ABC Movie Title, Lauds Story Line, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL leaders George Takei and Robert Takasugi protested ABC’s retitling of a Japanese American evacuation drama from ‘The Glass Hammer’ to ‘My Husband The Enemy.’ They praised the story’s compassionate treatment while objecting to the inflammatory new title.
• Support of Japanese Noodle Firm in Seattle Gains After Hassle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A proposed Japanese noodle factory in the Pacific Northwest drew opposition from a local macaroni firm owner, while Seattle’s mayor and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers backed the plan. The growers argued the factory would benefit local wheat producers.
• Mrs. Banuelos for Treasurer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nisei White House aide William Marumoto helped locate Mexican American businesswoman Romana Banuelos as Nixon’s nominee for U.S. Treasurer. The article also notes an immigration raid on her food company during the nomination period.

Incarceration & Redress

• What’s Ahead Now That Title II Repeal Is Out of Way, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL’s National Committee co-chairmen Ray Okamura and Edison Uno called the repeal of Title II a temporary victory and outlined future goals. These include judicial review of the Korematsu and Hirabayashi decisions and reparations for wartime property losses.
• Stigma of World War II, by George Takei, page 4. George Takei argues that the wartime evacuation of Japanese Americans remains a shameful episode that deserves candid examination. He criticizes ABC’s refusal to change the title of its upcoming film, which he says exploits prejudice against Japanese Americans.

Community

• Gardena Valley News Supports Mrs. Banuelos, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Gardena Valley News editorialized in support of Romana Banuelos after an immigration raid on her company, calling the outrage hypocritical. The paper also criticized the raid’s political timing and the employment of illegal aliens.
• Woodblock Memento of Washington Convention Planned, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Special Events chairman Etsu Masaoka announced that woodblock prints by master artist Unichi Hiratsuka will be presented to Congress members at the 1972 JACL Convention banquet. The prints depict Washington scenes and will serve as a memento of the event.
• Asian Baptists Organize Caucus, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Asian congregations within the American Baptist Convention formally organized the Asian American Baptist Caucus in Gardena. The caucus sought recognition of ethnic churches and called for immigration law changes and bilingual ministers.
• The Spartan Beat / News Capsules, by P.C. Staff, page 2. News capsules report on Japanese American political candidates in Sacramento and San Francisco, military promotions and honors, and entertainment and business news. Additional items cover crime reports, organizational awards, and health appointments.
• Side-effect of Birth Control Pills on Environment Told by Sansei Savant, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Sansei geneticist Dr. David Suzuki warned that widespread birth control pill use introduces large quantities of female hormones into the environment with unforeseen effects. He also urged Canada to break from U.S. environmental and economic domination.
• Next Chapter: Wakabayashi on Asian Drug Offensive, by Ron Wakabayashi, page 5. Ron Wakabayashi reports on the growing drug abuse problem in the Asian American community, including overdose deaths and a rising number of young women affected. He proposes a coordinated Asian Drug Offensive involving community groups, educational institutions, and JACL.

JACL

• National JACL Planning Commission, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Members of the JACL Planning Commission debated public relations, including how Japanese Americans should be distinguished from Japanese nationals in Japan. Participants discussed Nisei identity, PR brochures, and the role of Japanese corporations in JACL.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei West Pointer Conferred Medals, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lt. Col. Glenn K. Matsumoto received the Bronze Star and Air Medal for his service in Vietnam as commander of an air defense artillery battalion. He is among the senior Japanese American West Point graduates still in active service.

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