Title II, JACL’s membership high and the memories of 1942

Vol. 69, No. 16, October 17, 1969. 6 pages. View this issue

A record JACL membership and the campaign against detention without trial ran through this six-page issue. The paper reported that JACL reached 24,041 active members in October, with San Jose leading at 1,584. Malcolm Schwartz urged support for repealing Title II of the Internal Security Act, drawing on the World War II incarceration (often called internment). Dean Lokken wrote about Spokane residents who recalled the 1942 forced removal. National President Jerry Enomoto wrote about an outburst in a San Jose court, and Mike Masaoka previewed the new Supreme Court term.

Other pages carried draft morality guidelines for California public schools, Rep. Patsy Mink on a lottery draft, and Sen. Daniel Inouye at a San Francisco benefit dinner. Bill Hosokawa reviewed a phrasebook for travelers in Japan. The letters page took up the generation gap, a youth field aide for JACL, and the Yellow Brotherhood.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Outburst in Court, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto discusses an unfortunate incident in San Jose Superior Court in which a judge reacted to a defendant in a manner that drew concern. Enomoto writes about the importance of judicial conduct and fair treatment in the courtroom.
• Welcome, Warren, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto welcomes a formerly incarcerated individual into a job, expressing trust in the employer’s decision to hire him. He hopes the relationship will serve as a positive basis for the employee’s future.
• New Supreme Court Session, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reports on the opening of the Supreme Court’s 180th term under Chief Justice Warren Burger, with a vacancy and controversy over the Haynsworth nomination. He surveys major pending cases involving civil rights, criminal law, and church-state separation.
• Pointer’s Guide, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa reviews Pointer’s Guide, a humorous Japanese-published phrasebook for travelers in Japan. He highlights its useful expressions and practical advice for visitors.
• Gap Gap, by Ronald Kadonaga, page 4. A Sansei columnist uses a dialogue format to explore the generation gap between Sansei and Nisei, arguing that young people must act for the future rather than merely talk. The piece encourages youth to take responsibility within JACL and the community.
• On Responsible Education, by Harry K. Honda, page 6. The Editor’s Desk discusses the draft morality guidelines for California public schools, quoting its preamble on the roles of home, church and school. The guidelines emphasize moral integrity, truth, justice, and patriotism rather than a narrow religious framework.
• Japanese in Chicago Called ‘Quiet Minority’, by David Takashima, page 6. David Takashima reports on a Chicago Daily News article describing Japanese Americans as a quiet minority and on an informal gathering of Chicago young adults discussing social change and identity. He reflects on the need for Japanese Americans to speak up in their communities.
• Nisei—Quiet Americans, by Harold Horiuchi, page 6. Harold Horiuchi, in a letter to the editor, defends Bill Hosokawa’s book title ‘Nisei: The Quiet Americans’ and criticizes national JACL leaders for yielding to dissidents. He argues the leadership should have supported the author.
• Youth Field Aide, by David Takashima, page 6. A letter to the editor argues that JACL should create a year-round youth field aide position to follow the summer youth internship program. The writer contends this is a necessary step to attract new staff and address youth needs.
• American Scrapbook, by Patricia Murakami, page 6. A letter responds to Bill Hosokawa’s critique of Jerome Charyn’s novel American Scrapbook, arguing the portrayal of a Japanese American family is unrealistic. The writer contends the author misunderstands Japanese American subculture.
• Growing Pains Affecting Yellow Brotherhood, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 6. Kats Kunitsugu praises the Yellow Brotherhood, a self-help group that has helped over 100 youths overcome drug use and gang involvement. He urges the community to support their need for a community center while addressing concerns about its operation.
• Operation Intercept, by Frank Fukazawa, page 6. Frank Fukazawa writes from Mexico City about the anxiety caused by Operation Intercept, the U.S. blockade along the Mexican border meant to stop drug traffic. He describes its severe economic impact on Mexican border towns and tourism.
• On the Future of Our JACL, by Dr. Frank Sakamoto, page 6. Dr. Frank Sakamoto offers reflections on the future of JACL, emphasizing the value of younger members’ energy while stressing responsibility, unity, and sound leadership. He cautions against internal dissension that could weaken the organization.

JACL

• Another All-Time High Scored with 24,000 Members in JACL, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL membership reached a new all-time high of 24,041 active members as of October, surpassing the previous year’s record of 23,453. Eighteen chapters also registered all-time highs, with San Jose leading the Ichiban race with 1,584 members.
• Professional Staff at Nat’l Headquarters Sought, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The JACL is seeking to fill a professional staff vacancy in Northern California, with the position possibly serving as assistant national director or field director. Interested applicants were directed to inquire with the NC-WNDC.

Incarceration & Redress

• Evacuation Vivid Memories, by Dean Lokken, page 1. Spokane residents of Japanese ancestry recall their experiences during the 1942 evacuation, including forced removal to camps and the hardships faced by families. Eight former internees gathered to share memories of the wartime era.
• Reno to Rededicate Pioneer Issei Grave, by Dr. Eugene Choy, page 3. The Reno JACL is rededicating the grave of Umekichi Takahashi, a pioneer Issei who claimed to be the first Japanese to land in the USA, after his original abandoned gravesite was vandalized. The headstone was relocated to Mountain View Cemetery, with a rededication ceremony planned for Oct. 26.
• It’s Legal Under Title II, by Malcolm Schwartz, page 3. Malcolm Schwartz, managing editor of the Monterey Park Progress, urges support for the JACL campaign to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act, which authorizes detention of citizens without trial. He draws on the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans to warn of the law’s dangers.

Community

• New Guidelines for Morality Prepared, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The JACL Committee for Responsible Education, chaired by Katherine Reyes, has released its members as it works on morality guidelines for California public schools. The revised approach focuses on shared human values rather than a back-to-the-Bible framework.
• Island Senators Back Private Bills to Aid Refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senators from Hawaii have backed private bills allowing certain aliens who jumped ship to remain in the country on humanitarian grounds. Such bills have been introduced for refugees and escapees.
• Orphans from Japan United with L.A. Families, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Five children from the Elizabeth Sander Home in Japan were reunited with adoptive families in Los Angeles. A total of 696 children have been adopted from the home by Americans.
• U.S.-Japan Mayors Mix in Long Beach, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The 10th biennial Japanese-American Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Presidents convenes in Long Beach to strengthen ties between West Coast and Japanese cities. Marshall Greene of the State Department is the featured speaker.
• Inouye Dinner Nets $900 for S.F. Fund, by Sandra Ouye, page 3. A San Francisco JACL benefit dinner featuring Sen. Daniel Inouye raised $900 for civil rights programs. Inouye spoke against the Internal Security Act’s detention provisions and pledged to vote against its renewal.
• Alameda JACL Presents Wakamatsu Centennial Medallions to 20 Issei, by Patti Dohzen, page 4. The Alameda JACL honored 20 Issei aged 80 and over with Wakamatsu Centennial medallions at an appreciation dinner. Local officials presented a commemorative plaque to a centenarian honoree.

National

• Rep. Patsy Mink Favors Lottery Draft System, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Patsy Mink testified before a House subcommittee in favor of a lottery draft system that would reduce draft vulnerability to one year. She also urged that student deferments end immediately after undergraduate studies.
• Open Trial of Auto Conspiracy Urged, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Edward Roybal led 46 members of Congress seeking a public trial rather than an out-of-court settlement in the antitrust case against the Big Four automakers. The suit charges delays in installing anti-smog equipment.

Arts & Entertainment

• Hawaii Five-O Thriller Reiterates Wartime Loyalty of Issei, Nisei, by Twao Kawakami, page 3. The CBS-TV program Hawaii Five-O’s episode ‘To Hell with Babe Ruth’ avoided casting Nisei in a negative light, depicting instead a deranged man and praising Nisei wartime loyalty. The episode was praised for its editing and dramatic handling.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei Recall Evacuation Experience, by Dean Lokken, page 4. Spokane Nisei recall the 1942 evacuation, discussing the camps, the loss of property and education, and the hardships of elderly internees. They reflected that the evacuation was shaped by wartime hysteria and racial bias.
• Japanese American Veteran Named Honorary Consul in Guam, by P.C. Staff, page 5. James Masayoshi Shintaku, a former 442nd Regiment member operating the Guam Service Center since 1951, was appointed honorary consul by Japan’s Foreign Ministry. The appointment recognizes his long service in Guam.

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