The JACL Endowment Fund and the call to take part in civil rights

Vol. 66, No. 17, April 26, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The JACL Endowment Fund led this issue. National President Jerry Enomoto called it the organization’s “war chest” for any future crisis and asked who it should benefit and for what purpose. Civil rights ran through the columns that followed: Yosh Hotta urged members to act on Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, Patrick Okura wrote that racism is America’s most serious public health problem, and Henry Tanaka asked chapter members to be decision makers, not only dues payers. Roger Nikaido answered Dr. Hayakawa’s criticism of JACL’s stand on the Walter-McCarran Act.

Other items are worth a look. Rep. Spark Matsunaga was announced as speaker at the Pacific Southwest pre-convention rally banquet on May 4, and Tom Taketa laid out the Package Deal for the 1968 National JACL Convention. Chicago’s Japanese American community presented 150 cherry trees to the city, and Bill Hosokawa wrote about a friend’s citizenship examination in Denver. Jim Henry caught up with wrestler Harold Sakata, who played Oddjob in Goldfinger.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• War Chest, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto discusses the JACL Endowment Fund as a reserve for future crises affecting Japanese Americans. He questions who will benefit from the fund and suggests possible memorial or community uses for it.
• Another Challenge?, by Roger Nikaido, page 1. A columnist responds to Dr. Hayakawa’s criticism of JACL’s historical stance on the Walter-McCarran Act. The writer expresses disappointment in Hayakawa’s distance from JACL, comparing it to Nisei who reject the organization over wartime evacuation.
• Special Report: Be a Decision Maker, by Henry Tanaka, page 2. Tanaka argues that JACL chapters have two kinds of members: involvers who handle programming and decision makers who shape goals. He urges members to take greater responsibility in decision making rather than only paying dues.
• The Race Problem, by Roger Nikaido, page 2. Nikaido argues against simplistic claims that the race problem is solely a Negro problem or solely a white problem. He examines differences in immigrant and migrant economic experiences and calls for national action.
• The Big Step, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recounts how his Tokyo-born friend Kyoko Kita completed her American citizenship examination in Denver. He reflects on the responsibilities of citizenship and the significance of naturalization for Japanese.
• More Class, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui comments on the Pacific Southwest District Council pre-convention rally ticket sales, noting the new mailed order form approach and low returns. He urges readers to make reservations by phone for events.
• Accent on Youth, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Kumamoto argues JACL should expand youth services beyond Jr. JACL membership. He emphasizes self-sufficiency, guidance, and love as key to youth development.
• To Fulfill a Dream, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Hotta urges JACL members to actively support civil rights, referencing Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. He argues that shallow understanding and inaction are insufficient.
• Dreams, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Hotta reflects on the ideals of a better America and the search for answers about JACL’s direction. He concludes that pursuing harmony among all people is a worthwhile dream.
• Racism Is the Number One Public Health Problem, by Patrick Okura, page 4. Okura argues racism is America’s most serious public health problem, damaging the mental health of children and parents across groups. He contends that the nation must accept cultural pluralism and invest resources to address it.
• Political Convention, by Bill Gima, page 5. Hawaii political developments are summarized, including Democratic and Republican convention plans and local party leadership changes. The article notes Senator Inouye’s keynote role and other island political news.
• A Future Role of JACL, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. Editor Harry Honda reflects on JACL’s role amid urban unrest and calls for organizations that help address social problems. He suggests JACL explore quasi-nongovernmental approaches for public needs.
• Confab Corral: Dr. Tom Taketa Packaged Deal, by Dr. Tom Taketa, page 6. Taketa describes the convention Package Deal pricing and registration deadlines for the 1968 National JACL Convention. He also outlines booster events and reminds delegates of key dates.

National

• Rep. Spark Matsunaga to Address PSW Pre-Convention Rally Banquet May 4, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hawaii Congressman Spark Matsunaga will deliver the keynote at the Pacific Southwest District Council pre-convention rally banquet May 4 in Los Angeles. The article profiles his military service, legal career, and political rise.
• Sociologist Calls Belief That Negroes Cause Property Values to Drop a Myth, by P.C. Staff, page 4. USC sociologist John M. McQuiston found that property values decline before Negroes move into neighborhoods rather than because of their arrival. His study used census data from 1940, 1950, and 1960 for Los Angeles.

Community

• Grateful Chicago Japanese Americans See First of 150 Gift Trees Planted, by Berry Suzukida, page 1. Chicago’s Japanese American community presented 150 cherry trees to the city at Lincoln Park, accepted by Mayor Richard J. Daley. The gift commemorates the Illinois Sesquicentennial, the Meiji Restoration centennial, and the 25th anniversary of wartime relocation to Chicago.
• Okura to Chair Omaha Crime Investigators, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Omaha Mayor Sorenson appointed K. Patrick Okura chairman of the crime and health committee of the Citizens Crime Commission. Okura is also the national JACL civil rights committee chairman.
• UH Students Air Feelings About Draft, Riots on Mainland and War in Vietnam, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Two University of Hawaii Nisei students spoke at a Students for a Democratic Society meeting, with one burning his draft card. Richard Tanimura and Bradley Hara expressed opposition to the Vietnam War and discussed racial injustice and civil liberties.
• Idaho Governor Lauds Nisei Idahoans as Efficient, Excellent Farmers, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Idaho Governor Don Samuelson praised Japanese Americans in his state during a Japan-United States governors conference in Nagoya. He noted their farming efficiency and the importance of Japan as a wheat customer.
• Prominent Nisei Visiting Japan, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Dr. Shuhzo Sakamaki, a University of Hawaii history professor, visited Tokyo with a debating team and spoke at Waseda University. The article also notes other Nisei visitors and achievements in Japan.
• Jewels by Tameko Moves to Larger Store, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Dorothy Katano’s jewelry business moved to a larger location in Century City. The store features original jade, pearl, and gemstone creations.

Arts & Entertainment

• Where Are They Now?, by Jim Henry, page 3. Harold Sakata, the Hawaii-born wrestler who played Oddjob in Goldfinger, discusses his film career and continued professional wrestling in Europe. He reflects on fan reactions and his famous bowler hat.

Military & Veterans

• Vietnam KIA Rate, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Hawaii has among the highest Vietnam combat death rates per capita, and thousands of Hawaii National Guardsmen and reservists face call-up. The article also reports several Nisei servicemembers and local deaths.

Sports

• Kenny Robert Nakamura Asks to Be Remembered, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The article reports on local sports and community items including a Nisei Atlanta Braves player. Coverage highlights achievements of Japanese Americans in athletics.

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