Little Tokyo plans, Manzanar on film, and a Supreme Court club case

Vol. 72, No. 4, January 29, 1971. 8 pages. View this issue

Raymond Uno, then National JACL President, opened the issue with a column about a Los Angeles testimonial for Katsuma Mukaeda and Saburo Muraoka, honored for Japan-America goodwill, and about meeting leaders behind the Little Tokyo redevelopment project. Bob Nakamura’s student film Manzanar, rated number one among some 40 films at UCLA, was covered on two pages. Edison Uno, back from service on the San Francisco County grand jury, called for reform of the grand jury system, and Edwin Hiroto announced his candidacy for a State Senate seat.

Also inside: S.I. Hayakawa’s talk to the Monterey Peninsula JACL on what college should be, Bill Doi’s report on the Vietnam peace talks in Paris, and a profile of children’s illustrator Gyo Fujikawa. The Supreme Court’s coming ruling on all-white clubs was reported, and the letters page included Karl G. Yoneda writing about Manzanar.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Raymond Uno Reflects on Japan-America Goodwill Honorees and Little Tokyo Redevelopment, by Raymond Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno recounts a Los Angeles testimonial honoring Katsuma Mukaeda and Saburo Muraoka for their Japan-America goodwill work. He also describes meeting Little Tokyo redevelopment leaders and Orange County JACL members.

National

• Uno Contemplates State Reform Policies on Grand Jury System, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edison Uno, who completed service on the San Francisco County grand jury, criticized the jury system as a status quo establishment that rubber-stamps criminal cases. He called for reforms including selecting jurors by democratic means rather than judicial nomination.
• Nakamura Film on Manzanar Wins Top Honors at UCLA, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Bob Nakamura, chairman of the National JACL Visual Communications Committee, received top honors for his film Manzanar. The film is part of the Ethno-Communications program aimed at getting minority students into mass media.
• Supreme Court to Rule on All-White Clubs, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether the Moose lodge’s racially exclusive membership policy can keep its liquor license. The case was brought by Pennsylvania state representative K. Leroy Irvis after he was refused service because he is black.
• Hayakawa Bar: Japanese Americans Shuffle Off Monterey Installation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Installation coverage notes the monthly swearing-in and related events within the Monterey Peninsula JACL chapter. The report centers on incoming and outgoing officers and the evening’s speakers.

Incarceration & Redress

• Retired Couples in City Find Refuge in Senior Citizen Center, by Judy Klemesrud, page 1. A New York Times feature describes elderly retired couples struggling with isolation, poverty, and crime, including Japanese-born Harry and Kimiyo Satow who rely on the Sirovich Senior Center. The article notes that many retirees find refuge in senior centers and retirement communities.

Community

• Edwin Hiroto of L.A.-Silverlake Announces Candidacy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Edwin C. Hiroto, administrator of City View Hospital and Keiro Kango Nursing Home, announced his Republican candidacy for the vacated 27th State Senatorial District seat. He outlined his background in community service and Military Intelligence Service.
• Hom Acquitted of Bribery, Conspiracy, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Diego Assemblyman Tom Hom was found innocent of bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from a cab fare increase granted to Yellow Cab Co. while he was a city councilman. Both Hom and Mayor Frank Curran are members of San Diego JACL.
• Manzanar Wins Top Honors at UCLA Theater Arts Show, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bob Nakamura’s autobiographical film Manzanar was rated number one among some 40 student films at UCLA’s Project T screenings. The film combines live footage of the camp site with WWII photographs to indict the treatment of Japanese Americans.
• USC Stewing Over Asian Studies Director Selection, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The USC Asian American Studies Advisory/Search Committee objects to administration efforts to limit candidates by academic discipline for the program directorship. The committee argues this infringes on its autonomy in selecting the best candidate.
• Union Federal Opens Branch in Orange County, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Union Federal Savings and Loan opened a new branch in Fountain Valley on land owned by the family of the city’s first mayor, Jim Kanno. Branch manager Charlie Braker introduced his counterpart from the Gardena branch.
• Chicago’s Nightside Pastor, by Roy Larson, page 3. The Rev. Akira Makino serves as a night pastor on the West Side of Chicago, walking the streets of East Garfield Park to minister to young people, prostitutes, and residents. He describes his work as being available where no one else is.
• Well-Wishers Honor and Thank Judge Cosma Sakamoto, by Roy Yoshida, page 3. Some 250 supporters gathered in Loomis to honor Judge Cosma Sakamoto, Placer County’s second Nisei jurist, following his appointment to the Loomis Judicial District court. Sakamoto pledged to serve the district as a full-time judge.
• Monterey Clers Hear Hayakawa Ideas on What College Should Be, by P.C. Staff, page 4. S.I. Hayakawa addressed the Monterey Peninsula JACL installation dinner, arguing that college uproar concentrates at intellectually prestigious schools and proposing a three-year gap between high school and college. He also advocated universities that model life and serve the broader community.
• Sonoma County Recognizes Pair, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Sonoma County JACL and Enmanji Buddhist Temple co-installed their 1971 officers before 250 attendees. Eiichi Yamamoto received the chapter’s outstanding community service award and Thomas Farrell was named Outstanding JACLer.
• Twin Cities JACLer Learns First-Hand About Vietnam Peace Talks, by Bill Doi, page 5. Billi Doi describes his participation in the People’s Commission of Inquiry, which met with North and South Vietnamese delegations and the U.S. ambassador in Paris. He reports on the delegations’ positions on U.S. withdrawal, prisoners of war, and reunification.

Military & Veterans

• Memorial Plaque Planned for Southern California Nisei War Dead, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council and Evergreen Cemetery are preparing a plaque honoring all Southern California Japanese American war dead since the Korean War. Next of kin are asked to return authorization forms and families are urged to submit missing names.

Commentary

• U-No Bar Column: Mental Alertness and Little Tokyo Plans, by Raymond Uno, page 4. Raymond Uno continues his column describing time spent with Chapter leaders in the Salt Lake area and planning the Little Tokyo redevelopment project. He praises the dedication of several local JACL members and community figures he met.
• We Should Probe Merit System in Civil Service, by Guest Column, page 8. The column examines how the Rule of Three allowed Los Angeles city planner James Yoshinaga to be passed over five times despite scoring first on the civil service exam. The writer calls for investigation of the promotion system.
• Letter: Manzanar Speech Revisited, by Karl G. Yoneda, page 8. Karl Yoneda responds to Jim Matsuoka’s account of the Manzanar riot, arguing that its leaders sought a pro-Japan government and that many Issei who were loyal to the U.S. have been overlooked. He insists Manzanar should memorialize those who suffered from both racism and camp disruptors.
• Letter: Christmas Traditions, by W.Y. Bill Kashiwagi, page 8. Bill Kashiwagi criticizes a San Francisco JACL resolution urging schools to restrain Christmas traditions. He argues that the universal values of peace and goodwill celebrated at Christmas should be taught to children in a multicultural society.
• On Second Thought: The Poor, by Warren Furutani, page 8. Warren Furutani reports on a welfare department meeting where poor residents confronted administrators over confusing English-only notices with short deadlines. He criticizes the bureaucracy and the treatment of poor people.

Arts & Entertainment

• Gyo Fujikawa: An Illustrator Children Love, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Profile of children’s illustrator Gyo Fujikawa, a former Walt Disney Studios artist and commercial illustrator who turned to children’s books. Her works include Mother Goose and Fairy Tales and Fables, and her style blends realistic detail with soft watercolor.

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