Civil rights, youth and a call to work together, July 1968

Vol. 67, No. 1, July 5, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

National President Jerry Enomoto opened the issue by asking what comes after success. His column, Working Together, urged JACL to join its young members in civil rights work. Eastern District Council delegates asked for a paid staff member to direct a civil rights program, and Whitney Young accepted an invitation to speak at the national convention banquet in San Jose. Edison Uno renewed his campaign asking Chief Justice Earl Warren to apologize for his part in the 1942 Evacuation. Eleven JACLers were nominated for national offices, including Enomoto and Tom Shimasaki for president.

Youth writers Benny Matsuura and Jo Ellen Ichihana described their Jr. JACL experiences, and a Peace Corps gift of $1,300 from Jr. JACL chapters is reported. Minoru Yasui was robbed during a disturbance in Denver, and Joe Oyama wrote about the funeral of a soldier killed in Vietnam. This small six-page issue also lists convention booster events and nominees for Nisei of the Biennium.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Working Together, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto argues that JACL must move beyond resting on past success and work alongside youth on civil rights and community concerns. He stresses that adults and young members must unite in shared spirit and objectives.
• Everything Is Relative, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. The column critiques political reactions to Chief Justice Earl Warren’s reported resignation and the remarks of certain California politicians. It contrasts their positions on Warren and George Wallace, suggesting that judgments depend heavily on perspective.
• Common Ground, by Henry Tanaka, page 4. MDC Governor Henry Tanaka reviews the Midwest District Council meeting in Detroit and its discussions on civil rights, Jr. and Sr. JACL relations, and executive reorganization. He notes that chapters must move from discussion to meaningful civil rights involvement.
• Youth Writers Page: Improving Jr. JACL, by Benny Matsuura, page 4. NC-WNDYC Chairman Benny Matsuura reflects on his evolving values, balancing Japanese traditions with American influences. He advocates inviting all Americans into JACL’s youth programs and supporting human freedoms.
• Japanese I-ro-ha Alphabet Yields Philosophic Wit, by Don Estes, page 5. The column explains the history of the Japanese kana syllabaries, Katakana and Hiragana, and their development from Chinese characters. It concludes with the Iroha poem, a philosophical verse attributed to Priest Kobo.
• Biennial Weigh-In: Warren and Evacuation, by Edison Uno, page 6. Edison Uno writes that Chief Justice Earl Warren, as California’s Attorney General, helped carry out the 1942 removal of Japanese Americans. He argues Warren should publicly apologize to clear the stigma of disloyalty resulting from the Evacuation.
• ‘If Father Is Good, Son Will Return Home From the War’: Chinese Proverb, by Joe Oyama, page 6. Joe Oyama recounts attending the funeral of Lt. Andrew Young, a New Yorker killed in Vietnam, and observing his Chinese father and Nisei mother. The column reflects on the war’s personal impact and the community that gathered to mourn him.
• Straight City, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 6. Kats Kunitsugu explores the concept of ‘soul’ as honesty of feeling and applies it to people, institutions, and cultural groups. He cites examples including the Issei, the JACL, performers, and community leaders.
• Communicate, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 6. Jeffrey Matsui reflects on criticism of his JACL staff work and argues that the real problem is communication between individuals and their environments. He encourages members to participate in chapter affairs and the national convention.
• Coming Soon: New Blood!, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Small age-based discussion groups of young Southern California Japanese Americans are emerging to address community concerns. The article suggests this may bring the new leadership that chapters and districts have long sought.

National

• Civil Rights Program Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Eastern District Council at its pre-convention meeting urged that a paid JACL staff member be assigned to direct a civil rights program involving chapters and national headquarters. The resolution also called for funding from the national budget and reforms to membership dues and quotas.
• Mood in Japan Worst Since ’45, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Stanford lecturer Leonard Humphreys warned at a University of San Francisco institute that anti-American sentiment in Japan is the strongest since World War II. He argued the U.S. must make concessions on bases and Okinawa in treaty renegotiations to avoid a crisis by 1970.
• M. Yasui Robbed in Denver Race Disturbance, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Denver Community Relations director Minoru Yasui was assaulted and robbed by Negro youths after witnessing police disperse looting near Five Points. The incident occurred during tense racial unrest in Denver over the June 22 weekend.

JACL

• Inagaki Fund Now Tops $5,400; Seek Testimonials, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Contributions to the George J. Inagaki testimonial fund reached $5,432 by June 28, to be used for a $500 prize for the outstanding chapter in citizenship and service. Organizers are also collecting letters for a testimonial album.
• Speaker Whitney Young Accepts Invitation, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Urban League leader Whitney Young has accepted JACL’s invitation to address the national convention banquet. His presence is seen as enhancing the convention through his record of moderate, productive civil rights leadership.
• Eleven JACLers Nominated for National Board, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Lily Okura announced eleven nominations for national JACL offices, including Jerry Enomoto and Tom Shimasaki for president. The convention will also consider executive reorganization creating a president-elect post.

Community

• Early Sign-Up Sought to Guarantee Booster Events at San Jose Convention, by Phil Matsumura, page 1. Booster events for the San Jose national convention will be sponsored only if enough people sign up by the August 1 deadline. The article describes planned tours, a fashion luncheon, bowling, golf, and other activities.
• Riverside’s Sendai Festival July 11 to Introduce JACL to Its Community, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Riverside JACL chapter plans a day of Japanese cultural activities at Riverside Plaza on July 11, its first large-scale community event. Exhibits, demonstrations, and performances are planned in honor of the Sendai sister city relationship.
• M. Yasui Robbed in Denver Race Disturbance, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A second report details the Denver disturbance and the attack on Minoru Yasui. The Denver Post editorial expressed disappointment that the city was not immune to violence.
• Convention Booster Events and Tours, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The convention continued listing booster events including a San Francisco tour, a 1000 Club Whing Ding, and a special Cinerama showing for youths. Reservations were required by the August 1 deadline.
• Enthusiasm Marks Jr. JACL Board, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The San Francisco Junior JACL board, led by President Tony Matsumoto and Vice President John Sugiyama, has planned an active year. Highlights include a pottery demonstration, a scavenger hunt, and a benefit Japanese movie to fund their annual play.
• Peace Corps Receives $1,300 from Jr. JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The National Jr. JACL Youth Project raised $1,300 from 34 chapters for the Peace Corps School Partnership Program. The funds were matched with donations to build a school in Guachipilin, El Salvador.
• Central California Organizes Its Own Dist. Youth Council, by Jo Ellen Ichihana, page 4. CODYC chairman Jo Ellen Ichihana describes the district’s new youth council formed in July 1967 and her experience of responsibility and friendship in Jr. JACL. She emphasizes that clubs offer opportunities to reach personal goals.
• Youth Experience at Brotherhood-Anytown USA, by Yosh Hotta, page 6. A week-long Brotherhood-Anytown USA camp at Idyllwild Pines brought together youths from diverse backgrounds to confront prejudices and share experiences. The author describes the camp’s emphasis on honesty, sincerity, and brotherhood.

Military & Veterans

• More Nisei of Biennium Hopefuls, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Five additional nominees for the Nisei of the Biennium Award were acknowledged, including Joe Y. Saito, Dr. George Suzuki, Dr. George Togasaki, Mamaro Wakasugi, and Dr. Kenji Yaguchi. Each is described for agricultural, scientific, civic, or medical contributions.
• Fund for Kidney Victim Near $15,000, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A fund drive for Kazuo Masuda, who required an artificial kidney after kidney failure, reached $14,915.75. Donations came from relatives, friends, and JACL chapters, and Masuda has returned home and to work.

Incarceration & Redress

• Edison Uno Renews Own Campaign for Warren Reply, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Edison Uno resumed his personal campaign asking Chief Justice Earl Warren to publicly apologize for his role in the 1942 Evacuation. He notes that Tom Clark and Fletcher Bowron have admitted their mistakes while Warren has not responded.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.