Vol. 72, No. 6, February 12, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue
JACL President Raymond Uno was at the center of this six-page issue. His abridged speech from the San Jose JACL Installation Dinner looked back on his youth, military service and rebellious streak, and argued that Japanese Americans should turn conflict toward constructive change. A second story covered the same dinner, where he said the future was bright even though some doors stayed closed, and he spoke of youth involvement and the candidacy of Norman Mineta. Ronald M. Hirano, 27, was hired as National Director of Education for the JACL National Education Committee.
Elsewhere, Bill Hosokawa wrote about judging people by their looks, and Alan Sugiyama asked whether generational labels were still needed. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye answered critics of the book “Japanese Americans: The Untold Story.” Other pages covered ethnic studies in Berkeley schools, Berkeley Elks and a membership rule, and elderly Issei facing a welfare rule change.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Rebel on the Inside: JACL President on the Outside, by Raymond Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno reflects on his youth, military service, and rebellious streak, recounting his early work experiences and military enlistment. He argues that the JACL and Japanese Americans should pursue constructive change and channel conflict into civilized objectives.
Community
- JACL Education Committee Hires Hirano as Director, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Ronald M. Hirano, 27, was hired as National Director of Education for the JACL National Education Committee, linking the JACL to Asian American Studies Centers. His immediate goals include establishing a National JACL Education Commission and re-examining American education to include Asian American history.
- Changes Still Bright to Squash Remaining Barriers Against Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL National President Raymond Uno, speaking at the San Jose JACL installation dinner, said the future is bright for Japanese Americans while some doors remain closed. He discussed youth involvement, minority solidarity, employment barriers, and the candidacy of Norman Mineta.
- Issei on Welfare Shaken by ‘Illegal Alien’ Rule Change, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A State Department of Social Welfare directive dropped ‘illegal aliens’ from welfare rolls, causing confusion and hardship among elderly Issei recipients who struggled to document legal residency. Community organizations assisted with applications while the Board of Supervisors ignored their appeals.
- Berkeley Elks Seek Change of White Membership Rule, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Berkeley Elks Lodge 1002 considered a resolution asking the grand lodge to remove the word ‘white’ from its membership requirements. The move followed criticism from local and national JACL chapters over the racial exclusion clause.
- Ethnic Studies on Its Way in Berkeley Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Berkeley Unified School District’s Asian task force developed new classroom materials, photographs, and courses reflecting Asian history and culture. The program aims to counter stereotyping and provide students a truer picture of Asian Americans.
- Asian Administrators Sought for Seattle Central Community College, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Oriental Student Union called for hiring Asian administrators at Seattle Central Community College, citing 425 Asian American students on campus. OSU members walked out of a follow-up meeting after board members failed to attend.
National
- 10,973 Japanese Citizens Counted on U.S. East Coast, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A census by the New York office of the Japanese consulate counted 10,973 Japanese nationals in the Eastern Seaboard states. Most are employed by banks, businesses, and manufacturers, with a breakdown by state and city provided.
- Chicano Pressure Against Nisei in Education Bared, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 5. Kunitsugu examines tensions in the Los Angeles school system over a reading program for minority children, where coordinator appointments went to non-Mexican American teachers. He describes principals’ and Mexican American Education Commission members’ disagreement over whether ethnic background or teaching ability should determine selection.
Military & Veterans
- Major Dennis Hidenobu Uyenoyama Killed in Helicopter Crash, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Major Dennis Uyenoyama, 29, executive officer of the 239th Aviation Company in Korea, was killed in a helicopter crash on a military training flight. He was buried with full military honors at San Francisco National Cemetery.
Commentary
- Outward Appearances, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reflects on a student who disguised himself as a nonconformist and experienced hostility based solely on appearance. He argues that Japanese Americans, who suffered discrimination based on appearance during WWII, should not judge others by their looks.
- Plain American Japanese, by Alan Sugiyama, page 3. The writer reflects on generational labels used for Japanese Americans and questions whether they remain necessary. He suggests the community should stop labeling itself by generation.
- Letter on ‘Untold Story’ Controversy, by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, page 5. Senator Inouye responds to criticism of his involvement with the book ‘Japanese Americans: The Untold Story,’ expressing distress at harsh critiques while encouraging ethnic studies efforts. He urges that Nikkei authors be supported rather than attacked.
- Abe-Kobe, by Warren Furutani, page 5. Furutani discusses racial and class prejudice in Japan, including discrimination against Koreans and burakumin, based on conversations with a Tokyo lawyer. He recounts a Korean hunger strike in Tokyo protesting legislation affecting permanent residents.
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