1970: Hawaii’s election, a rejected textbook, and Asian American protests

Vol. 71, No. 20, November 13, 1970. 6 pages. View this issue

A mix of politics, protest and commentary filled this six-page issue. Democrats swept Hawaii’s election, with Sen. Hiram Fong narrowly winning reelection and George Ariyoshi set to become Hawaii’s first Nikkei governor, as Allan Beekman reported. California’s Curriculum Commission voted 10-2 against the textbook Japanese Americans: The Untold Story, and Masao Satow wrote that the JACL National Executive Committee opposed its adoption. Fred S. Kai described a silent march outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion against the musical Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen. National President Raymond Uno wrote about his visit to New York City.

Columns include Bill Hosokawa on Election Day, Bob Takasugi on HR 19163 and the Emergency Detention Act, and Arty Kameda and Glenn Watanabe on ethnic organizing and schools. A staff editorial looks back at a 1943 Dies Committee hearing at Heart Mountain, with the transcript promised for the Holiday Issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• New York City and a Cross-Country Swing Through JACL Circles, by Raymond S. Uno, page 1. JACL National President Raymond Uno recounts his visit to New York City and his meetings with JACL chapter leaders and district council members there. He reflects on the pace of national JACL work and the youth and convention planning issues he discussed.
• Thoughts on Election Day, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reflects on voting on election morning and criticizes the dehumanizing use of computers to project results and the oversimplified nature of political advertising. He argues that campaign rhetoric confirms opinions rather than changing them.
• Doings in D.C., by Victor Shibata, page 4. A young JACL staffer recounts his first trip to Washington, D.C., including meetings with Mike Masaoka, attendance at Title II hearings, and an uncomfortable family dinner in which he was verbally challenged. He reflects on the experience of being judged by appearance.
• Why, Ethnic Push, by Arty Kameda, page 4. Arty Kameda argues that organizing the Asian American community is a means toward a better, integrated society rather than a racist act. He contends that racial harmony requires that groups be free to be themselves.
• Ely Yours: Educational Needs, by Glenn Watanabe, page 4. Glenn Watanabe describes the San Francisco Asian American Educational Task Force’s demands for hiring equity, textbook revision, Asian American history courses, and ESL reform. He argues the school system discriminates against Asian students.
• Points and Lines Book Review, by Allan Beekman, page 5. Allan Beekman reviews the translated Japanese mystery Points and Lines by Seicho Matsumoto, faulting the author for a plot flaw in which the victims’ deaths are misrepresented. He concludes the book is unlikely to succeed in America.
• Analysis of HR 19163, by Bob Takasugi, page 6. JACL legal counsel Bob Takasugi analyzes the Ichord-Ashbrook amendments to Title II of the Emergency Detention Act and argues they make no substantive improvement. He urges support for the Inouye repeal bill and defeat of HR 19163.
• A Bid for Fair Representation, by Grant Shimizu, page 6. Former NC-WNDC Governor Grant Shimizu argues that the one-chapter-one-vote rule gives Northern California-Western Nevada chapters too little voting power relative to their budget contributions. He responds to criticism from Ray Okamura and defends the San Jose chapter’s motives.
• Dies Committee vs. War Relocation Authority, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Pacific Citizen editorial recounts a 1943 Dies Committee hearing at Heart Mountain with Nisei and Issei block managers and announces plans to reprint the transcript in the Holiday Issue. It also summarizes the committee’s criticisms of the War Relocation Authority.

National

• Methodists Hear Role of Ethnic Church Stressed, by Toge Fujihira, page 1. Rev. Peter Chen told the United Methodist Board of Missions that Asian American churches are declining due to integration and asked for greater involvement in decision making. He also proposed service centers for new immigrants and recruitment of ministers from Asian churches.
• Demos Sweep Hawaii Election, Sen. Fong Wins by Slim Margin, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Democrats swept Hawaii’s November 3 election, with Sen. Hiram Fong narrowly winning reelection over Cecil Heftel. John Burns and George Ariyoshi won the governorship and lieutenant governorship, and Ariyoshi will be Hawaii’s first Nikkei governor.
• Plan Special Election to Fill Kuriyama Seat, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Hawaii Attorney General will issue guidelines for filling the State Senate vacancy caused by the assassination of Sen. Larry Kuriyama. Lt. Gov. Thomas Gill has called for a special election, though the Attorney General may challenge that recommendation.
• California Rejects Japanese Americans: The Untold Story, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The California Curriculum Commission rejected the textbook Japanese Americans: The Untold Story after testimony from a delegation of community leaders opposing its adoption. The commission later voted 10-2 against adoption, and the book’s supporters may seek acceptance elsewhere.
• American Samoa Tuna Canneries Neglect Fishermen, Says Doctor, by Tom Kaser, page 2. Dr. Hideo Mukuda, a Japanese doctor who has treated fishermen in American Samoa for six years, says the territory’s tuna canneries have neglected the mostly Asian fishing workforce. He cites fatigue, malnutrition, and inadequate facilities for workers returning to port.

Community

• PSWDC Sponsors Dance Concert, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council JACL is sponsoring a Los Angeles engagement of Yuriko and Dance Company on Nov. 19-21 at the Inner City Cultural Center. Proceeds from the gala opening will fund a scholarship for an Asian American dancer.
• Japan Born Man Slain on Street in San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Hisao Negishi, 26, was shot to death on Nov. 4 in San Francisco after a brief conversation with another man who fled. Police are seeking a possible suspect described by witnesses.
• Salt Lake to Host IDC Funtime Session Nov. 27-29, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Salt Lake JACL chapter announced details for the quarterly IDC social session at the Newhouse Hotel, including a Friday mixer, Saturday luncheon and tour, and Sunday breakfast. The weekend is designed to attract entire families.
• KRON-TV Lauded for Positive Response, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno praised San Francisco station KRON-TV for its response to a JACL grievance about its showing of Purple Heart, calling the station’s efforts a significant contribution. The station’s general manager had written to Uno about the matter.
• San Francisco Opening Attracts 350 Asian Pickets in Heavy Rain, by P.C. Staff, page 2. About 250 to 350 demonstrators picketed a San Francisco performance of Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen at the Curran Theatre to protest the musical’s failure to cast Asians in Asian roles. The Japanese Community Youth Council coordinated the peaceful protest.
• Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen Protest at The Pavilion, by Fred S. Kai, page 5. A demonstration of about 150 young Asian Americans marched silently outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on Halloween Eve to protest the musical’s casting. Organized by the Asian American Involvement Movement, the picketers described the protest as a stand against discrimination faced by Asian Americans.

JACL

• Youth Commission Co-Chairmen Set, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fred Hoshiyama and Kumamoto of Los Angeles were appointed national JACL youth commission co-chairmen. National President Uno said future national committees are expected to have co-chairmen to integrate younger members.
• JACL Opposes Cal. Adoption of Untold Story, by Masao Satow, page 3. The JACL National Executive Committee voted to oppose adoption of Japanese Americans: The Untold Story by the California State Board of Education’s curriculum committee after an all-day meeting with community groups. The committee also urged that future Japanese American materials be considered when available.

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