Preparing for the 1968 JACL convention in San Jose

Vol. 67, No. 7, August 16, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue

The days before the JACL national convention in San Jose shaped this eight-page issue. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote to the youth, urging Jr. JACL members to build their own platform on citizenship and leadership. Alan Kumamoto previewed the Jr. JACL’s new forum format. Civil rights ran through the commentary, with columns by Dr. Roy Nishikawa and Kumeo Yoshinari. A resolution from the NC-WNDC asked JACL to form a national committee to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the Emergency Detention Act.

Other items include Mike Masaoka on the Republican National Convention, a notice that Retired Army Colonel Virgil R. Miller, wartime commander of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, had died, and a letter from Michi Weglyn on Edison Uno’s campaign. There are also profiles of the six Miss National Jr. JACL candidates, a Peanuts-style preview of a softball game between adults and youth, and a Joe Grant Masaoka piece on a Japanese engineer in the American West.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Enomoto: To the Youth, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto addresses Jr. JACL youth ahead of the San Jose convention, urging them to develop their own platform on citizenship and leadership. He invites the San Jose Jr. JACL to define its own responsibilities and approach to intergenerational issues.
• Joint Sessions at Confab Open to Public, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Convention joint sessions on civil rights and generation gap at McCabe Hall, as well as the opening ceremonies at Montgomery Theater, are open to the public. Times and dates for the sessions are announced.
• GOP National Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reviews the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, noting Nisei participation and ties between Nisei and candidates Nixon and Agnew. He also discusses the GOP platform’s positions on immigration and minorities.
• NC-WNDC Urges National Set Up Campaign to Repeal Detention Camp Provision, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The NC-WNDC resolution asks the JACL to form a national committee to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, the Emergency Detention Act. The article presents background and arguments for repeal based on the Japanese American wartime experience.
• National Board to Meet a Day Earlier, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The JACL National Board will convene on August 19 instead of August 20 to consider civil rights and the detention camp repeal. The meeting will also cover the JACL-Japan tour and the 1967-68 JACLer of the Biennium.
• Final Budget Package, by Yone Satoda, page 6. National Treasurer Yone Satoda outlines revised district council budget quotas and proposed national funding requests. Options for raising additional funds through dues increases or special projects are considered.
• Final Push On to Sign New 1000 Clubbers, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 6. The 1000 Club membership drive reports new recruits from several chapters ahead of the national convention. Chapters are urged to sign additional members.

Community

• Meet the Miss National Jr. JACL Aspirants, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Six candidates competing for the 1968 Miss National Jr. JACL title are profiled, including their schools, activities, and future plans. The coronation will take place at the opening ceremony in San Jose.
• Subcultural Factors in Aging Under Study, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A four-year Langley Porter Institute study comparing aging among Mexican Americans, Japanese Americans, and Euro-Americans in San Francisco will begin work in the Japanese American community. Researchers aim to understand how cultural attitudes shape the experience of aging.
• Cincinnati-Dayton Booth at Ohio State Fair Set, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Cincinnati and Dayton JACL chapters will operate a food booth at the Ohio State Fair to raise funds for Jr. JACL activities. Menu items include chow mein, manju, and hot dogs.
• JACL Included in San Jose Citizens Community Improvement Committee, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Ken Kitajima was named to San Jose’s Citizens Community Improvement Committee, giving the San Jose JACL a voice in civic affairs. Kitajima encourages residents to share suggestions about improving the city.
• San Franciscans Urging $20,000 Civil Rights Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. San Francisco JACL members petitioned their chapter to support a $20,000 civil rights program following sermons at Christ United Presbyterian Church. The petition also asks the chapter to review its civil rights stance before the national convention.
• Sumitomo Bank Opens Convention Branch, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sumitomo Bank of California will operate a temporary banking facility at Hyatt House during the San Jose convention. Ken Maruyama will staff the branch.
• Inagaki Fund Tops $8,000 in Tribute, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The George Inagaki testimonial fund has reached $8,139 in contributions. Recent donors and regional totals are listed.

Commentary

• Adults and Youth to Clash, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A playful preview of a convention softball game between JACL board members and Jr. JACL officers, with lineups styled after the Peanuts comic strip. The article describes each player’s strengths and quirks.
• Hirasuna vs. Masaoka, by Berry Suzukida, page 4. A letter to the editor defends Mike Masaoka against an accusation of self-interested motives in supporting free trade. The writer criticizes the attack as a personal smear.
• One-Man Crusade, by Michi Weglyn, page 4. A letter supports Edison Uno’s campaign to get Chief Justice Earl Warren to retract his wartime statements about Japanese Americans. The writer argues Warren’s silence is inexcusable.
• Copping Out, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 5. The column argues that Sansei apathy toward civic involvement is blamed on a supposed cultural trait, but it stems from postwar Nisei struggles and exclusion. It urges Nisei to set an example of civic responsibility.
• A New Form Forward, by Alan Kumamoto, page 5. Kumamoto previews the Jr. JACL convention’s new forum format, designed to move discussion toward concrete direction for youth. He emphasizes listening and shared leadership between youth and adults.
• Nisei Basketball, by Roger Nikaido, page 5. Nikaido examines the attraction of basketball for Japanese Americans despite their small average stature. He argues that Nisei leagues practice racial exclusion through blood-quantum rules, which JACL should address.
• Our Own Attitudes, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 5. Nishikawa argues JACL should pursue realistic civil rights goals while first examining its own attitudes and fears. He stresses education as the foundation for progress on racism.
• Equality, by Kumeo Yoshinari, page 5. Yoshinari urges JACL to take an active role in civil rights and in struggles of other ethnic groups at the upcoming convention. He argues that Japanese Americans, given their wartime experience, have a particular duty to speak out.
• Our Own Attitudes: Dr. Roy Nishikawa, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 5. Nishikawa argues JACL should pursue realistic civil rights goals while first examining its own attitudes and fears. He stresses education as the foundation for progress on racism.
• Election Hustle, by Richard Gima, page 6. Gima reports on Honolulu’s mayoral race after Mayor Neal Blaisdell announced he would not seek reelection. Three Democrats have announced candidacies.

Military & Veterans

• Col. Miller of 442nd Dies Aug. 5, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Retired Army Colonel Virgil R. Miller, wartime commander of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, died at his home in Ann Arbor. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, and JACL sent floral tribute.

Obituaries

• Wilbur Hammaker Hospitalized in Denver, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Former Colorado Methodist bishop Wilbur Hammaker was hospitalized after collapsing in a Denver hotel. He had served as a National JACL sponsor during the war years.

In-Depth

• Footnotes to History: Surveyed Wild West, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 5. The article traces the life of Tadaatsu Matsudaira, a Japanese engineer who came to America with the Iwakura mission and worked in the West. His grave was located decades later, ending a family search.

Arts & Entertainment

• Chivalry of the Japanese, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 6. Murayama discusses Inazo Nitobe’s 1898 essay Bushido and its reception, quoting Julian Hawthorne’s praise. The column reflects on Meiji-era idealism amid Japan’s centennial celebrations.

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.