A public dispute over the Nisei of the Biennium nomination

Vol. 70, No. 23, June 12, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

A public quarrel over the Nisei of the Biennium nomination ran through this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto apologized to members for the exchange with Steve Doi and Dr. Clifford Uyeda, and both men answered on page 6. An editorial and a letter writer questioned the nomination of Dr. S.I. Hayakawa and asked who has authority over the selection. The paper also reported an unprecedented three-way race for national president, with Henry Kanegae, Dr. Tom Taketa and Raymond S. Uno seeking the office.

Elsewhere, the 1970 National Convention in Chicago drew invitations, and the paper reported that JACL membership stood at 22,731. Edward J. Ennis was named speaker for the Mike M. Masaoka testimonial dinner. Bill Hosokawa revisited Wyoming and the Heart Mountain center, and Mike Masaoka and Warren Furutani wrote columns on JACL’s direction.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Biennium Brouhaha, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto apologizes to membership for the public dispute with Steve Doi and Dr. Clifford Uyeda over the Nisei of the Biennium nomination. He maintains his position that the selection procedure should be reviewed and says he will abide by the National Board’s poll.
• Declaration of Conscience, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka recalls Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s 1950 Declaration of Conscience against McCarthyism and notes her 1970 warning that extremism from both the left and right threatens repression. He argues JACL should seek moderate, practical leadership rather than confrontation at the convention.
• Another Look at Wyoming, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa revisits Wyoming, where Heart Mountain WRA Center was located, and describes the scenic attractions of the region that evacuees rarely saw. He recounts stories of former evacuees who stayed in the area and how Cody has changed.
• The Sky Is Falling, by Warren Furutani, page 4. Furutani argues JACL has become stagnant and must address international, domestic, and local issues. He criticizes the organization for past conservatism and calls for more responsiveness to young people and concerned members.
• It’s Going to Be a Gas!, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 4. Dr. Frank Sakamoto, National 1000 Club Chairman, reports on the PSWDC pre-convention rally and promotes the 1000 Club Whing Ding at the Chicago convention. He encourages members to attend the events planned for the convention.
• Letters to the editor on Nisei and kowtowing, by Nobu T. Kawai, page 6. Nobu T. Kawai responds to William Marutani’s remarks about Nisei meekness, defending JACL’s past leadership and arguing that Nisei have contributed positively to American society. He criticizes the idea of abandoning the Japanese American identity.
• Loaded Dice, by Fred Y. Hirasuna, page 6. Hirasuna responds to William Marutani’s generalizations about Nisei, arguing they are not a monolithic group and defending Nisei achievements. He also questions the calls for all-Japanese judging panels and the handling of political issues.
• Cambodian Issue, by Dr. Harry Hatasaka, page 6. Dr. Harry Hatasaka defends his opposition to sending a telegram supporting or opposing President Nixon’s Cambodia decision, explaining his reasoning. He also defends local politicians against criticism from Ray Okamura.
• Salvo No. 1 Again, by Steven J. Doi, page 6. Steven Doi responds to Jerry Enomoto’s memo controversy, asserting that the dispute has been discussed to death and expressing hope the matter will end. He criticizes the manner in which JACLers conduct public disputes.
• Salvo No. 2 Again, by Dr. Clifford Uyeda, page 6. Dr. Uyeda rebuts Jerry Enomoto’s reply, arguing the central issue is whether Enomoto was right to write the letter opposing Hayakawa’s nomination. He contends the letter was unfair and that members had a right to know about it.
• Nisei of Biennium, by Dr. Hayakawa critic (letter), page 6. A letter writer questions the nomination of Dr. S.I. Hayakawa for Nisei of the Biennium, citing concerns about his past actions and his self-identification with Japanese Americans. The writer contends Hayakawa’s public stance undermines JACL’s goals for interminority relations.
• Editorial: Ye Chion’s Dek, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial examines the controversy over Dr. S.I. Hayakawa’s nomination for Nisei of the Biennium and questions whether the National Board can assume authority over a national committee’s functions. It argues that the issue must be resolved by the National Council.

JACL

• You Are Cordially Invited, by Carol Nakagawa, page 1. Chicago chapter invites members to the 1970 National Convention, highlighting the President’s Recognition Luncheon honoring Jerry Enomoto and the JACLer of the Biennium award. The luncheon is set for Friday, July 17, in honor of the late Dr. Randolph Sakada.
• Ed Ennis, ACLU board chairman featured speaker, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edward J. Ennis, chairman of the ACLU board, will speak at the Mike M. Masaoka testimonial dinner on July 16 in Chicago honoring Masaoka’s thirty years of service to Japanese Americans. Ennis was custodian of Japanese American belongings during World War II and later counsel to the JACL Anti-Discrimination Committee.
• Nisei of Biennium candidacies trimmed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Raymond Okamura and Edison Uno withdrew their nominations for Nisei of the Biennium at their personal request. The remaining candidates are listed for the judging by the National Recognitions Committee.
• Unprecedented election due, 3 seek presidency, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Three candidates, Henry Kanegae, Dr. Tom Taketa, and Raymond S. Uno, seek the National JACL presidency, an unprecedented three-way race. The nominations committee will review the candidacies at the convention in Chicago in July.
• Candidate profiles for national offices, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Profiles are presented for candidates seeking national JACL offices including president, president-elect, and vice presidents. The candidates describe their JACL service, professional backgrounds, and community involvement.

Community

• JACL membership tops 90% mark, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Francisco JACL membership reached 92 percent of its previous all-time high by June 1, with 22,731 members. Fifteen chapters set all-time enrollment highs this year.
• Union City to honor civic leader Tom Kitayama, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A testimonial dinner honoring former Union City mayor and councilman Tom Kitayama will be held June 20 in Hayward. Local dignitaries and agricultural leaders are expected to attend.
• 83 chapters chip into confab travel pool, by P.C. Staff, page 1. As of June 1, 83 JACL chapters contributed to the 1970 National Convention travel pool. National Director Mas Satow reported reimbursement will be 3.8 cents per mile.
• Cosma K. Sakamoto wins judgeship in Placer County, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Cosma K. Sakamoto won the Loomis Judicial Court primary race over Phillip H. Shedd with 2,905 votes to 1,483. He is a life-long resident of the Loomis area and a charter member of the Placer County JACL.

National

• Masooka trust fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A total of 710 contributors had given $14,593 to the Mike M. Masaoka Trust Fund as of May 29. The fund drive is chaired by Harry Mizuno and Kumeo Yoshinari.
• United Presbyterian general assembly backs Title II repeal, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United Presbyterian General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling for repeal of the Emergency Detention Act of 1950, or Title II. Three Nisei commissioners from California led the effort to move the resolution through committee.
• Japanese in U.S. feature topic for school newspaper, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The June issue of Beam, a Southern California publication for third and fourth graders, features an article on Japanese Americans written by the PSWDC Education Committee. The article describes evacuation camps and the service of Nisei soldiers.
• Calif. solon raps Japan trade policy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California State Senator Randolph Collier introduced a resolution urging Congress to revoke special trade privileges granted to Japan unless Japan agrees to reciprocal trade agreements. The resolution cites a $1.5 billion trade imbalance and Japan’s steel sales to the U.S.

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