Medal of Honor for Sgt. Rodney Yano, and JACL looks at its own future

Vol. 70, No. 15, April 17, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

Sgt. 1/C Rodney J. T. Yano of Kealakekua, Hawaii, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam, and the story opened this six-page issue. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reported on the Executive Committee, which met four times during the biennium and proved useful for management and trouble-shooting. Ethnic studies ran through the pages: Edison Uno described Japanese American studies courses at San Francisco State College, and the paper reported on state college Asian American studies and on groups backing HR 14910.

The columns include Mike Masaoka on the Senate’s rejection of Judge G. Harrold Carswell, Bill Hosokawa on a visit to Portland, and Roy Sano on younger members’ proposals for the 1970 National Convention. Also inside are plans for a Nisei Veterans Reunion with General Mark W. Clark as speaker, an Issei afternoon in San Francisco, and a cultural show in San Jose.

What’s in this issue

Military & Veterans

• Sgt. Yano Posthumously Wins Congressional Medal of Honor, page 1. Sgt. 1/C Rodney J. T. Yano of Kealakekua, Hawaii, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam on January 1, 1969. He died after hurling burning ammunition from a helicopter to save the crew.
• Gen. Mark Clark to Speak at Nisei Veterans Reunion July 1-6, by P.C. Staff, page 1. General Mark W. Clark will be the featured speaker at the Nisei Veterans Reunion welcome banquet in Los Angeles. More than 2,000 veterans are expected for the July event.

JACL

• Executive Committee Proves Effective Management Device, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto reports that the Executive Committee of the National Board, piloted this biennium, met four times and proved useful for management and trouble-shooting. He also discusses campus visits and planning for JACL’s future.

Community

• Chapters Have Week More to Compete for Inagaki Awards, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters have until April 25 to submit materials for the George J. Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award program. Cash awards are offered to national and district winners.
• Shibui Cultural Show Set in San Jose, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Santa Clara Valley Jr. JACL presents its biennial cultural show Shibui on April 19 in San Jose. Traditional and contemporary arts, crafts, and books by Japanese Americans will be displayed.
• Issei Afternoon Honors 80-Year-Old Issei in San Francisco, by Howard M. Imazeki, page 5. San Francisco JACL hosted about 150 people at an afternoon honoring Issei aged 80 and older at the Buddhist Church. Entertainment included koto, taiko, and dance performances.

National

• State Colleges May Trim Asian Studies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL alerted trustees and the chancellor of the California State Colleges to urge equal consideration for Asian American studies amid signs of emphasis on Black and Mexican ethnic studies. No degree programs in Asian American studies currently exist in the state colleges.
• Groups to Back HR 14910 for Ethnic Studies, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Representatives of 16 Asian American organizations agreed to form a coordinating body to support HR 14910, the ethnic studies center act. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for April 25.
• Rep. Patsy Mink Urges Freedom for Trust Islands, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Patsy T. Mink endorsed independence in free association with the United States for the Micronesian Trust Territory. She argued the U.S. must respond to the islanders’ aspirations.

Commentary

• Should Be Broadened, by Edison Uno, page 2. Edison Uno describes the Japanese American studies courses offered at San Francisco State College and argues that ethnic studies are a lasting need. He recounts his experience teaching a class that examined textbook distortions about Japanese Americans.
• Washington Newsletter: Carswell Rejection, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka analyzes the Senate’s April 8 rejection of Judge G. Harrold Carswell for the Supreme Court. He credits the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and praises Senator Hiram Fong for voting no.
• From the Frying Pan: Mentioning Portland, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on a visit to Portland, including the Japanese section of Rose City Cemetery. He notes the Nisei community’s professional success and the warm reunions he enjoyed.
• Perspectives: Asian Liberation, by Roy Sano, page 4. Roy Sano describes a movement among younger JACL members to adopt the thrusts of Asian liberation at the 1970 National Convention. He outlines their proposals for reorganization, new leadership, and policy changes.
• Shikata-ga-nai Uttered Daily in Other Languages, by Joe Hamanaka, page 6. Joe Hamanaka argues that the fatalistic attitude of shikata-ga-nai is not unique to Japanese Americans but is shared by Average Americans. He lists everyday situations in which people quietly accept what they cannot change.
• Not Too Often, by Bill Marutani, page 6. Bill Marutani questions the habit of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at every JACL function. He argues that Japanese Americans need not repeatedly affirm their loyalty to the nation.
• Commitment of JACL to Needs of Community Vital, page 6. A guest column argues that JACL must remain committed to representing the needs of the Japanese American community. It lists JACL’s current activities in education and support for Issei and Sansei.
• Japanese and Western Archery, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Allan Beekman reviews the book Japanese Archery: Zen in Action by Andre Sollier and Zsolt Gyorbiro. He explains the Zen approach to archery, illustrated by the legend of Nasu no Yoichi at Yashima.

Incarceration & Redress

• Quality, Integrated Education, by Fred Abe, page 3. San Francisco JACL president Fred Abe told the school board that JACL is committed to quality integrated education. He recounted the city’s history of segregated schooling for Japanese children.

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