Chicago’s human relations policy, civil rights and the Kennedy assassination

Vol. 66, No. 26, June 28, 1968. 8 pages. View this issue

Civil rights and social justice ran through this eight-page issue. On the front page, Jerry Enomoto wrote about the Chicago Chapter’s human relations policy, which he found encouraging because it spoke to housing, employment and education, and he defended the U.S. Supreme Court against politicians who blamed it for the nation’s troubles. Mike Masaoka’s Washington newsletter looked at the Poor People’s Resurrection City and at Chief Justice Earl Warren’s legacy. Senator Robert Kennedy’s assassination drew a gun control editorial from Harry K. Honda and an essay by Bill Hayashi, while Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Roy Wilkins spoke on racism and human rights.

Elsewhere in the issue are the San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics and the Nisei Relays won by Orange County, nominees for the Nisei of the Biennium award, and a Denver redevelopment group. K. Patrick Okura reported on a civil rights survey sent to chapters before the national convention at San Jose, and Yosh Hotta wrote about the Chicano movement and La Raza.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Chicago Policy, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto argues that the Chicago Chapter’s human relations policy is encouraging because it addresses housing, employment, and education, the core issues behind social problems. He urges JACL members to support positive action movements and quality education to break the cycle of disadvantage.
• The Court, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto defends the U.S. Supreme Court against politicians who use it as a scapegoat, arguing it protects all Americans from governmental excess. He contends that crime concerns should be addressed through positive steps on social conditions rather than by blaming the Court.
• Washington Comments, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka resumes his weekly Washington Newsletter and reflects on the Poor People’s Resurrection City and Solidarity Day March, noting growing awareness that poverty and deprivation extend beyond the Negro community. He also reflects on Chief Justice Earl Warren’s legacy and his influence on civil rights and the one-man one-vote principle.
• Editorial: Rafu Shimpo Graduation Issue and Kennedy Requiem, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. The editorial praises the Rafu Shimpo’s ambitious semi-annual graduation issue honoring Sansei graduates in Southern California. It then reflects on Senator Robert Kennedy’s assassination and calls for stricter gun control as a way to reduce individual violence.
• Membership Campaign, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The editorial highlights the Venice-Culver chapter’s success in surpassing its all-time membership high, crediting former president Gram Noriyuki’s organized drive. It encourages other chapters to adopt similar methods and urges renewals to reach the 2,000 member goal.
• Letters: Matter of Statistics, by Izumi Taniguchi, page 4. Taniguchi responds to Dennis Deane’s critique of his labor discrimination article, clarifying that the article examined whether Japanese Americans had achieved labor market equality by 1960. He defends the JACL’s broader concern for all groups facing discrimination.
• Letters: Eta and Negroes, by Name not given, page 4. The writer praises Bill Hosokawa’s column linking the self-denigration of Japan’s Eta people to the historical treatment of American Negroes. The letter predicts the Eta may turn to violence unless Japanese society substitutes equality and dignity for traditional prejudice.
• Cultural Pluralism, by Name not given, page 4. The writer argues that cultural pluralism is a transitional phenomenon that lasts only as long as barriers to full social acceptance exist. The author suggests that a united human race will eventually emerge as racial and ethnic divisions dissolve.
• The Thing to Remember About Learning to Swim, by George Yoshinaga, page 4. Yoshinaga contrasts his own childhood, learning to swim informally in a creek, with the structured instruction available to today’s youth. He observes that competent instructors help explain the outstanding performances of young swimmers.
• Sounding Board: Hippies & Unicorn, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 5. Matsui recounts his travels in Hawaii, describing local anxieties over hippies and noting the islanders’ pride in the Hawaii National Guard’s deployment to Vietnam. He ends with lighthearted reflections on a conversation about unicorns at a Molokai bar.
• West Wind: Beans in June, by Yosh Hotta, page 5. Hotta reflects on summer barbecues, including the Salinas Valley JACL’s cooking, and on a friend’s upcoming wedding. He concludes that understanding can help cool the long hot summers.
• Chicano Movement and La Raza, by Yosh Hotta, page 5. Hotta examines the growing Chicano and La Raza movement, including the El Paso hearings and La Raza Unida Conference. He urges JACL members to understand the common goals and struggles of Mexican Americans.
• An American Tragedy, by Bill Hayashi, page 5. The writer argues that Robert Kennedy’s assassination reveals deeper decay in American society and calls for re-examining national values. He urges JACL to renew its purpose and act on social injustice rather than looking to the past.
• Commencement Speech: Aloha from Hawaii, by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, page 5. Senator Inouye’s commencement address warned that democracy may destroy itself unless racism and poverty are eliminated. He called on Hawaii to dismantle its ghettos and exclusive clubs.
• Civil Rights Commentary: To Secure Equal Opportunities and Equal Dignity, by Roy Wilkins, page 5. Roy Wilkins’s address to a Human Rights conference in Iran traces the history of American civil rights from the Constitution through postwar reforms. He argues that the United States has corrected its past failures through struggle and that human rights remain a global obligation.

Community

• San Francisco in Close Victory at JACL Olympics, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 16th annual San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics drew about 150 young athletes who competed in four classes. San Francisco Junior JACL won the district council’s overall trophy by edging Livingston-Merced in a close finish.
• Orange County Nabs PSW Nisei Relays, 9 Records Broken, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Orange County won the team title for the third straight year at the 17th annual Nisei Relays at Bolsa Grande High School, with nine new records set. The event was co-hosted by the Orange County and Long Beach JACL chapters.
• Nihonmachi Housing for Aged Issei Proposed, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco Japanese American Federation proposed moderate-income senior citizen housing on a block adjacent to the Japanese Cultural and Trade Center. Ten Japanese congregations of all faiths make up the federation.
• Chicago JACL Calendar and Events, by P.C. Staff, page 2. A listing of upcoming JACL chapter events across the country for the summer of 1968. This is a calendar listing and is included only for reference.
• Denver Nikkei Redevelopment Group Organized, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Denver Nikkei business and community redevelopment group has been formed to change the face of the Larimer and Lawrence area. The Nikkei Development Corporation was created to finance and build small-business enterprises in the affected area.
• JACL Chapters Survey in Civil Rights Being Compiled for Convention Report, by K. Patrick Okura, page 5. Civil rights chairman K. Patrick Okura reports that an eight-part questionnaire has been sent to chapters for the biennial Civil Rights Committee report. The survey asks about chapter civil rights activities such as articles, programs, and community involvement.
• Detroit Hosts Joint Midwest Adult-Youth Conference as Prelude to National Convention at San Jose, by Tom Hiushimota, page 6. Midwest District Council members and youth gathered in Detroit for a joint conference preceding the San Jose national convention. The weekend included workshops, an oratorical contest, and the presentation of awards.
• East L.A. JACLers to Entertain Issei, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The East Los Angeles JACL is hosting a recognition night for Issei with entertainment, refreshments, and door prizes. The event is scheduled at Chuo Gakuen on Saturday, June 29.

National

• Three More Up for Nisei of Biennium Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National Recognitions Chairman Kumeo Yoshinari nominated David H. Furukawa, Y. Philip Hayasaka, and Dr. Kayo Sunada as additional candidates for the Nisei of the Biennium Award. The article details each nominee’s achievements in water desalinization, race relations, and services to disabled children.
• Japan Decorations Awarded to Hawaii Citizens, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fifty-six citizens of Hawaii received Japanese decorations in recognition of the Meiji centennial celebration. The honors included the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Order of Merit.

Military & Veterans

• Retired Issei, 89, Is Naturalized, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An 88-year-old retired Issei was naturalized as a U.S. citizen. The brief reports on his long-awaited citizenship.
• Nisei Veterans Ride in Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Brief coverage of Nisei veterans’ activities in Hawaii during June 1968. The article reports on local gatherings and events.

Obituaries

• Witter Bynner Dies at 86, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Poet and author Witter Bynner died at his Santa Fe home at age 86. During World War II he served as a National JACL sponsor, defending the loyalty of Nisei when doing so was unpopular.

Sports

• Nisei Women’s Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Coverage of the Nisei Women’s bowling tournament and the results of leading bowlers. The article highlights top scores and standout performances in the competition.

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.