The 1968 JACL national convention in San Jose

Vol. 67, No. 9, August 30, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The 20th Biennial JACL National Convention in San Jose filled most of this issue. Mike Masaoka reported a record attendance of more than 900 registrants, and National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about a downpour that flooded the streets and a civil rights panel that urged Nisei toward fuller commitment. Whitney Young spoke at the banquet, Norman Mineta was named Nisei of the Biennium, and Tak Kubota of Seattle was named JACLer of the Biennium. Enomoto was re-elected national president, and replicas of the 1942 evacuation order were posted at the hotel in support of a resolution to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act.

The Jr. JACL held its second national assembly with 32 youth groups, and Karen Suzuki won the national oratorical contest. Bill Hosokawa, Harry K. Honda and William Marutani wrote columns, and Jim Henry described the neglected atomic bomb survivors of Hiroshima. A retrospective column looked back to August 1943.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• 20th Biennial Tops So Far, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. The 20th Biennial JACL National Convention in San Jose drew a record attendance of over 900 registrants and addressed issues of human rights and youth involvement. Masaoka reflects on panel discussions, the detention camp repeal resolution, and the convention’s role in shaping JACL’s future direction.
• Thunder at Confab, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto recounts the convention’s challenges, including a downpour that flooded San Jose streets. He thanks fellow officers for their endurance during nearly 20 hours of National Board meetings.
• Commitment, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto reflects on a civil rights panel and tutorial project presentation that challenged Nisei to commit more fully to racial justice. He urges members to honor the pledge made during the convention.
• Tone for JACL Emphasis in Next Biennium Set by Whitney Young, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Urban League director Whitney Young challenged Japanese Americans at the convention banquet to help make America work for black Americans. His speech set the tone for JACL’s priorities in the 1968-70 biennium.
• Norm Mineta Judged Nisei of Biennium, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose councilman Norman Mineta received the Nisei of the Biennium award over a record field of nominees. He credited those who preceded him and called JACL’s obligations to the community a new ball game.
• JACLer of Biennium: Tak Kubota of Seattle, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Takeshi Kubota of Seattle received the JACLer of the Biennium award for his work on the Washington alien land law repeal and as membership chairman. Enomoto praised his perseverance and commitment to JACL principles.
• Tajiri Memorial Essay Contest Won by San Jose Lass, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Mary Shimoguchi of San Jose won first place in the 1968 Larry Tajiri Memorial JACL essay contest. Her essay emphasized that every right carries a corresponding responsibility.
• Enomoto Re-elected National President; Patti Dohzen for Jrs., by P.C. Staff, page 2. Jerry Enomoto was re-elected national JACL president at the San Jose convention, with Henry Kanegae and Kaz Horita elected as vice-presidents. Patti Dohzen was named national Jr. JACL chairman.
• Convention Pays Tribute to Inagaki, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A three-hour testimonial luncheon honored George J. Inagaki, with all living past national presidents participating. The Venice-Culver JACL established a $500 citizenship award in his name.
• 32 Youth Groups Open Nat’l Jr. JACL Assembly, by Misako Hasebe, page 4. Thirty-two youth groups convened the second biennial National Jr. JACL Assembly in San Jose. Delegates discussed organizational problems, age gaps among members, and the need for stronger district councils.
• Jr. JACL Leaders Compare Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. District youth representatives reported on membership trends, projects, and organizational challenges across the country. Leaders noted that many experienced members are lost when they enter college.

Incarceration & Redress

• ‘Evacuation’ Posters Greet JACL Delegates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Replicas of the 1942 evacuation order were posted at the San Jose convention hotel by the NC-WNDC committee. The display supported a resolution to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act.

Commentary

• Post-Convention Session, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reviews the unfinished legislative business awaiting Congress when it reconvenes after the national conventions. He also discusses Senator Mansfield’s proposal to move toward year-round sessions and a calendar-year fiscal year.
• Contrasts, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa contrasts the affluence of Nisei at the San Jose convention hotel with a wartime evacuation poster displayed nearby. He observes the healthy youth movement questioning elders and the convention’s emotional links to wartime memories.
• A-Bomb Victims Neglected and Forgotten Today, by Jim Henry, page 5. Henry describes the continuing neglect of atomic bomb survivors living in the gembaku slums of Hiroshima. Many residents remain impoverished and shunned decades after the bombing.
• Convention at Midweek, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The editor describes the unexpected San Jose downpour and the convention’s opening-day events, including the Ann Nakadate and Karen Suzuki honors. He notes that civil rights discussions revealed deep divisions over Vietnam and other minority issues.
• The Natural Look, by William Marutani, page 6. Marutani praises Black Americans who are wearing their hair in natural styles as a healthy sign of self-acceptance. He then considers Japanese youth who undergo surgery for double eyelids and the broader pressures to conform to foreign standards of beauty.
• Second-Rate Employees, by Roger Nikaido, page 6. Nikaido argues that Nisei are underrepresented in administrative positions at Japanese companies in the United States. He suggests the community could press for equal advancement by leveraging its banking business.
• Letters from Our Readers: VISTA Volunteer, by Suzy Ishikawa, page 6. A VISTA volunteer working in an Alabama housing project writes that her Japanese ancestry helped her connect with the Black community. She urges the JACL to take a firm stand on human and civil rights.
• It’s Not Unusual, by Alan Kumamoto, page 6. Kumamoto’s political column covers recent political developments involving Hawaii candidates and state officials. He reports on Hawaii politics and endorsements ahead of the fall elections.
• East Wind: Our Readers Respond, by Jim Henry, page 6. A column on minority issues and the classroom guide Teaching About Minorities in Classroom Situations, which advises teachers on handling slurs and profanity. It discusses how to address stereotypes and the Vietnam War in the classroom.

Community

• Oriental Influx to Monterey Park Deplored by Negro Resident, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Bob Liley, a Black resident of Monterey Park, warned of an emerging Oriental ghetto and called for a human relations commission. Councilman Al Kreger angrily rejected his remarks as racially bigoted.
• Protest Use of ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The San Diego JACL protested use of the term Jap in a county suggestions office publication. Chapter president Isao Horiye asked officials to be more aware of derogatory terms.

National

• Karen Suzuki Wins National Oratorical Contest, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Chicago college student Karen Suzuki won first prize in the JACL oratorical contest with a speech on the New Generation and its role in ending prejudice. Second and third places went to Charles Takahashi and Wayne Horiuchi.

Military & Veterans

• 25 Years Ago: Pacific Citizen, Aug. 28, 1943, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A retrospective column reports on a congressional investigation of WRA handling of Japanese Americans and the 442nd’s new shoulder patch. It also covers the CIO’s move to employ Nisei and other wartime developments.

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