Vol. 72, No. 10, March 12, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue
Unity inside JACL was the thread running through this six-page issue. National JACL President Raymond Uno spoke at the Detroit Chapter installation about how the organization’s wide diversity had frayed its common bond, and urged patience and forbearance of imperfections. His speech began on the front page and ended with his column on page 4. The same page carried the San Francisco chapter’s call to reconsider the textbook ‘Japanese Americans: The Untold Story’, which National JACL opposed, and Riverside members asked for the same on page 2.
Other items include Sumitomo Bank of California becoming the first JACL corporate member, and legal counsel Robert M. Takasugi on Manual Letter 155, a state welfare rule that cut aid to aliens without green cards. Co-sponsors of the bill to repeal the Emergency Detention Act grew to 148 Congressmen. Page 5 carries letters and guest columns, including Harry K. Honda on Restaurant Horikawa in Little Tokyo.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Text of Raymond Uno’s Speech to Detroit Chapter JACL Installation, by By Raymond Uno, page 1. National JACL President Raymond Uno urges members to rethread the organization’s fraying bonds of unity amid internal diversity. He calls for patience, forbearance of imperfections, and willingness to address pressing problems rather than remaining detached.
- Sumitomo Bank of California Becomes First JACL Corporate Member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Sumitomo Bank of California became the first corporate member of JACL, presenting a $250 check to national director Masao Satow. The bank has also funded four annual scholarships worth $2,000 total.
Community
- San Francisco JACL Backs Adoption of ‘Japanese Americans: The Untold Story’ Textbook, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL board unanimously urged the State Curriculum Commission to reconsider adopting the controversial textbook, subject to revisions. The chapter’s endorsement contrasts with National JACL’s opposition to the book co-authored by Nisei-Sansei teachers.
- Bishop Tsuji Re-elected to Head BCA for Another 5 Years, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Bishop Kenryu Tsuji was re-elected to a five-year term as head of the Buddhist Churches of America at the council meeting in San Francisco. George Iseri was installed as BCA president, succeeding Dr. Ryo Munekata.
- Riverside JACL Group Wants Reconsideration of ‘Untold Story’ Textbook, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Riverside JACL members who read the textbook asked National JACL to reverse its opposition to its adoption for school use. They argued that the book’s values closely parallel Japanese values and that the charge of rejecting Japanese values is invalid.
- Japanese Language Tapes: Supportive Data for Proposal Wanted, by P.C. Staff, page 2. National JACL asked chapters to supply community data supporting a federal funding proposal for a three-year Japanese language video tape course. Chapters were asked to respond to Dr. David Miura by March 20.
Military & Veterans
- Hawaii Welcomes Hero Dennis Fujii Home, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Sp/5 Dennis Fujii returned to Honolulu to a hero’s welcome after being decorated with the Silver Star for directing artillery and helicopter gunship fire in Laos. He was wounded slightly by shrapnel and is home on convalescent furlough.
Sports
- JACL Bowling: Honors Spread Around in 25th Annual Tournament, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Bowlers from ten major areas including Japan competed in JACL’s 25th annual national bowling tournament at Ritz Classic Lanes in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City and Sacramento garnered the all-events honors, and Portland was awarded the 1973 tournament.
Incarceration & Redress
- ‘Illegal’ Alien vs. State Welfare: ML 155 Conflicts with Federal Laws, by Robert M. Takasugi, page 3. National JACL Legal Counsel Robert Takasugi analyzes Manual Letter 155, a state welfare regulation that cut aid to aliens lacking green cards, arguing it exceeds statutory authority and conflicts with federal law. He describes the panic it caused among Issei recipients and urges opposition at the March 17 public hearing.
National
- 148 Congressmen Co-Sponsor Repealer of Emergency Detention Act, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Thirty-six more Congressmen joined 112 others in co-sponsoring legislation to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act of 1950, which authorized emergency detention camps. The AFL-CIO also called for repeal, citing the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan: Casper, Wyoming, by Harry K. Honda, page 3. The columnist recalls his 1942 bus trip through Casper, Wyoming, en route from Heart Mountain, and returns decades later to speak at Casper College about the Japanese American evacuation. He reflects on Nisei needing greater visibility after being mistaken for a foreigner.
- It Still Grates, by Joe Hamanaka, page 3. A Seattle advertising campaign reproduced the 1945 Japanese surrender front page, with its ‘Jap’ headlines, in a bank advertisement. The columnist argues the ad revives hostile wartime language and was poor judgment for the bank and the community.
- Forebearance of Imperfections (Continued): U-No Bar, by Raymond Uno, page 4. Uno concludes his speech by urging members to tolerate differences of opinion, avoid stubbornness on both sides, and recognize that JACL leadership makes imperfect decisions made in good faith. He encourages dedicated members to help fund and staff the organization’s programs.
- Editor’s Desk: Restaurant Horikawa, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. The editor reviews Restaurant Horikawa, a large Edo-mae style Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo’s Kajima Building featuring seafood imported from Tsukiji. He notes the long sushi bar and teppan-yaki service.
- Machine Politics, by Hiroshi Kanno, page 5. Chicago independent aldermanic candidate Hiroshi Kanno describes the Democratic machine’s control over city politics and voter apathy in poor neighborhoods. He thanks JACL supporters who helped his campaign.
- Kagiwada’s Reply, by Edison Uno, page 5. Edison Uno writes that the San Francisco Chronicle’s reprint of Joseph Alsop’s column deleted important paragraphs about Chinese and Japanese Americans. He also criticizes the exclusion of the ethnic press from a press conference announcing a synthesized hormone discovery by Drs. Li and Yamashiro.
- Doug Yamamoto Case, by Ranko Yamada, page 5. The Asian American Political Alliance of Santa Cruz defends Doug Yamamoto, arrested on suspicion of firebombing an Army Navy recruiting center. The statement argues the media convicted him on circumstantial evidence and that the trial is political.
- Gyo Fujikawa’s Talent, by Mrs. C. W. Lee, page 5. A reader praises the Pacific Citizen for its coverage of Japanese Americans and commends the article on artist Gyo Fujikawa. She describes how Fujikawa’s realistic illustrations engaged children in a library.
- Guest Column: Police Brutality and Discrimination on the Bay Bridge, by Cheryl Yoshimura, page 5. Cheryl Yoshimura recounts how she and her father were ticketed for a legal-seeming right turn in San Francisco after a CHP officer refused to address the poorly posted signs. She describes the officer ignoring a citizen’s arrest request against a truck driver who was let go.
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