Riot report, civil rights and the road to the San Jose convention

Vol. 66, No. 18, May 3, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

The aftermath of the Riot Report ran through this six-page issue. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders and a CBS special on its fallout, and Bill Hosokawa compared the racial recriminations after the King assassination with the backlash against Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. May Ichida of the Cleveland JACL described joining a civil rights delegation in Washington to watch the House pass the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

Much of the front page looked ahead to the 20th Biennial JACL Convention in San Jose, with pre-convention rallies in three districts and a testimonial luncheon planned for George J. Inagaki. Other pieces covered Rep. Spark Matsunaga’s address to the Philadelphia JACL, Sumitomo Bank scholarships, Minoru Yamasaki’s hospital design, John Ball’s Academy Award success, and letters from Ron Nakayama and Ira Shimasaki.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Riot Report, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reviews the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders report and a CBS special on its aftermath. He finds signs of limited awakening but worries that officials are responding inadequately to the crisis.
• Work to Rule, by Jim Henry, page 3. Jim Henry describes how Tokyo train workers use work-to-rule slowdowns to disrupt commuters without losing pay. He notes the resulting crowding and confusion.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa draws parallels between post-King assassination racial recriminations and the anti-Japanese backlash after Pearl Harbor. He urges Nisei to speak against all racism and warn against hysteria.
• Accent on Youth: COO to Cool It, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Yosh Hotta welcomes the formation of the Council of Oriental Organizations in Los Angeles and questions how JACL should engage. He suggests COO’s first project, a laboratory conference, could address community needs.
• Community Service, by Ne-chan (Jeffrey Matsui), page 4. A reflective column contrasts the author’s sense of duty to community service with the pleasures and temptations of nightlife. It questions what drives individuals to devote themselves to causes.
• Editorial: Pacific Club Admits Two Orientals, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Pacific Club of Honolulu ended its racial membership policy by admitting two Orientals. The editorial argues that exclusionary clubs lose standing and calls for ignoring ancestry in group membership.
• Lesson in City Government (II), by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial follows Los Angeles Councilman Marvin Braude’s investigation into a $302,000 architectural contract awarded to the Umemoto-Perkinson firm. It notes efforts to prosecute a commissioner for contempt and calls for open meetings.
• To JACLer John Ball: Banzai, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial congratulates San Fernando Valley JACL member John Ball on the Academy Award success of his novel In the Heat of the Night. It also notes his later books and career highlights.
• Letters: JACL and Civil Rights, by Ron Nakayama, page 6. San Francisco JACL civil rights chairman Ron Nakayama urges JACL to consider more militant civil rights positions. He compares the Black Panthers, Black Muslims, and Hwa Ching activism and asks where JACL stands.
• Letters: Arlington Memorial Rites, by Ira Shimasaki, page 6. Washington JACL requests information on Nisei veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery who are missing from its Memorial Day list. It asks readers for section, grave, and next-of-kin details.
• Letter: Join the 1000 Club, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A reader describes Harlem’s problems as seen from nearby Morningside Heights and urges JACL to support civil rights programs. The letter calls for end of derogatory language toward Negro Americans.
• Confab Corral: San Jose, by Robin Eto, page 6. Robin Eto relays the National Convention Code of Ethics for Jr. JACL delegates, including housing and curfew rules. She also previews suggested attire for convention events.
• Enomoto: Potluck, by P.C. Staff, page 6. A Sacramento JACL member praises the Pacific Citizen staff and board for their contributions to JACL. The letter also describes a successful family potluck and slideshow.

JACL

• Convention to Honor George J. Inagaki, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 20th Biennial JACL Convention in San Jose will honor George J. Inagaki at a Testimonial Luncheon. A George J. Inagaki Citizenship Award of $500 is being established with a $5,000 fundraising goal.
• ‘How Far—JACL?’ Is Theme of May 31-June 1 Pre-Convention Rally, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Midwest District Council spring session in Detroit serves as the district’s pre-convention rally. The program includes workshops, an oratorical contest, a history project report, and a banquet address by Ross Harano.
• Membership Kit, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. The author reports that only 42 of 90 JACL chapters have requested the free membership kit for the annual drive. He lists chapters that have not yet requested it and explains how to order.

National

• American Gallup Opinion of Japan Continues Mixed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A Gallup Poll reported that 40 percent of Americans trust Japan as an ally, down 5 points from last year. Views of Japanese-made goods improved overall compared with the previous year.

Community

• Redwood City Vets Hall Site of NC-WNDC Pre-Confab Rally, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Council will meet May 19 in Redwood City to select its oratorical finalist and prepare for the National Convention. Dr. Harry Kitano of UCLA will speak at the evening banquet.
• International Beauty Congress Moves to Tokyo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Miss International Beauty Congress, formerly held in Long Beach, will be staged in Tokyo this year. Producer Katsumi Ishida will oversee the show after the contest was canceled in the United States.
• PSW Rally This Weekend for Nat’l Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District’s three-day pre-convention rally at the Hacienda Hotel features a banquet address by Rep. Spark Matsunaga and a Nisei Relays queen contest. Organizers preview convention issues ahead of the San Jose parley.
• Sumitomo Initiates Scholarships for College Students, by Masao Satow, page 1. The Sumitomo Bank of California will offer two $500 scholarships for students who have completed at least one year of college. Candidates will be accepted through JACL chapters beginning in July.
• Architect Minoru Yamasaki Designing Patient-Centered Hospital in Toledo, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Architect Minoru Yamasaki, recovering from illness, argues hospitals should be designed around patients’ emotional needs. He is designing a Toledo hospital with views, pleasant corridors, and a secure entrance.
• Hiring Nisei Not Enough to Dismiss Stale Bias Charge, by P.C. Staff, page 3. New York’s Glen Cove volunteer fire department was ordered to admit two Negro applicants after a discrimination finding. The city had hired Nisei Gilbert Tanaka, but the commission found the department had admitted no Negroes in 50 years.
• ‘Military Aggression as Political End’: Matsunaga, by Kuniko Okamoto, page 4. Rep. Spark Matsunaga addressed the Philadelphia JACL installation dinner on press coverage, Vietnam, and foreign aid. He argued that U.S. presence in Asia is wanted and that stopping aggression is essential to world peace.
• Earth Science Group Visits Museum Devoted to Study of Birds and Eggs, by P.C. Staff, page 4. West Los Angeles JACL earth science members toured the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology museum, which holds a large collection of bird eggs and skins. Guides shared facts about bird behavior and extinction.

Military & Veterans

• Mission to Capitol Hill, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Cleveland JACL vice-president May Ichida recounts joining a civil rights delegation to Washington to witness House passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Rep. Spark Matsunaga’s vote and the emotional House vote are highlighted.

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