The 1971 fight to repeal Title II and a court case over a slur

Vol. 72, No. 25, June 25, 1971. 6 pages. View this issue

The repeal of Title II of the Internal Security Act ran through this six-page issue. The House Rules Committee cleared HR 234 on June 16, and Mike Masaoka explained the floor procedure and why JACL opposed the competing HR 820. David Ushio, of the JACL Washington staff, described the hearing itself. On page 1, National JACL President Raymond Uno argued that the organization’s direction should be decided by all its members, not left to chance.

Other stories covered a New York court that acknowledged the slur “JAP” was pejorative yet asked protesters to prove specific damage, and Norman Mineta’s testimony on low-rent public housing. Bill Hosokawa wrote about cooking, Kats Kunitsugu on Little Tokyo redevelopment, and Jim Henry on the 1945 firebombing of Tokyo. A Claremont Colleges exhibit on the World War II incarceration (often called internment) was also noted.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• The Promise of Tomorrow, by Raymond Uno, page 1. JACL National President Raymond Uno urges that the organization’s direction be decided deliberately by all members rather than left to chance. He reflects on his recent visits to Salt Lake and Washington chapters and on the value of JACL’s scholars.

National

• Manhattan Court Acknowledges Slur But ‘Damage-Loss’ Demanded, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A New York court required protesters against Kenzo’s use of the derogatory label ‘JAP’ to show proof of specific damage before acting. The presiding judge acknowledged the word’s pejorative nature but cited no precedent for the case.
• Danielson Backs OA Cabinet Unit, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Congressman George Danielson proposed a Cabinet Committee on Oriental-American Affairs to monitor the interests of Asian Americans. The bill was introduced with Matsunaga and Anderson.
• Laws Barring Welfare to Aliens Invalid, Supreme Court Says, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down state laws denying welfare benefits to aliens or requiring long residency. The court said such classifications based on alienage are inherently suspect.
• House Committee Delves Into ‘Illegal Aliens’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A House Judiciary subcommittee planned hearings in Denver and El Paso on illegal aliens working in the United States. Chairman Rodino said the aliens were depriving Americans of jobs.
• 10 HEW Fellow Internships Open; Applications Due June 30, by P.C. Staff, page 3. HEW announced ten fellow internships for minority individuals seeking high-level government training. Applicants aged 25 to 35 should apply by June 30.

Community

• Japanese Urged to Qualify for New JACL Recognition, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Jose JACL is considering a new National JACL award for long and outstanding service to persons of Japanese ancestry. Candidates would need to show service beyond ordinary expectation.
• Low-Rent Public Housing for Minorities Virtually Put Out Due to Valtierra Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. San Jose Mayor-elect Norman Mineta testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on housing needs in his city. He said the Supreme Court’s Valtierra ruling on referendums has curtailed low-rent housing construction.
• A Great Day, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 3. Presidential counselor Robert Finch spoke at the third annual installation dinner of the Little Tokyo Community Development Advisory Committee. Kunitsugu describes the redevelopment project moving from planning toward construction.
• Frank F. Nakamura Heads Lions District, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Marysville JACL charter member Frank F. Nakamura became governor of a Lions Club district covering northeast California. He is a pharmacist with a long record of community service.
• Furutani Addresses 45 at Selanoco Meeting, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Warren Furutani spoke to the Selanoco JACL general meeting about understanding the conditions faced by Nisei during World War II. He also addressed youth drug abuse and the need for people-oriented programs.
• Chinese Navigator Came to America in 217 B.C., by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Redwood Empire Association credits Chinese navigator Hee-Li with reaching San Francisco Bay long before Europeans. The item describes his voyage from China.

Incarceration & Redress

• Claremont Exhibiting Pictures on Evacuation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. An exhibit of photographs and articles on Japanese American internment during World War II is on display at the Honnold Library at the Claremont Colleges. The materials came from the library and JACL.

Commentary

• Title II Campaign Clears Two Measures, by P.C. Staff, page 1. On June 16 the House Rules Committee cleared HR 234 to repeal Title II of the Internal Security Act for floor debate alongside the competing HR 820. Supporters argue repeal prevents future detention of citizens.
• Title II Repeal ‘Cleared’, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. The House Rules Committee cleared HR 234 under an open rule with three hours of debate. Masaoka outlines the floor procedure and explains JACL’s opposition to HR 820.
• The Day of June 16, by David Ushio, page 2. JACL Washington staffer David Ushio recounts the June 16 House Rules Committee hearing on Title II repeal. He describes the lobbying, testimony by Ichord and Kastenmeier, and the decision to clear HR 234.
• From the Frying Pan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa recalls roasting chestnuts, oysters and corn in childhood and the pleasures of home-prepared food. He reflects on how involvement in cooking makes it more enjoyable.
• A War Crime or Was It?, by Jim Henry, page 3. Japanese writers including Shin Aochi have revisited the 1945 firebombing of Tokyo, which killed more than 80,000 civilians. They argue the raid was a war crime that received less attention than the atomic bombings.
• Letters: Indian Dialogue, by Joseph F. Mullen, page 6. A reader criticizes Joe Oyama’s report on a Canadian film about Indians for presenting an ethnocentric view. He argues cultural exchange could benefit both Indians and white Americans.
• Ugly Japanese, by George Yasukochi, page 6. A reader responds to Bill Hosokawa’s column on inebriated tourists at Farmers Market by questioning why minorities must be perfect to win rights. He calls the demand for conformity unfair.

Military & Veterans

• Inouye Fears Trade to Affect Okinawa Treaty, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Senator Daniel Inouye urged ratification of the June 17 treaty returning Okinawa to Japan. He warned that U.S. textile interests might tie reversion to trade concessions.

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