Agnew’s slur against a Japanese American reporter and the JACL response

Vol. 67, No. 14, October 20, 1968. 6 pages. View this issue

A racial slur used by Spiro Agnew toward a Japanese American reporter drew the sharpest response in this six-page issue. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto wrote that the term is never acceptable, even if unintended. Mike Masaoka sent Agnew a letter explaining why the word is derogatory. Rep. Spark Matsunaga condemned it on the House floor, and at a Berkeley rally panelist William F. Knowland called the remark unfortunate. Enomoto also gave a preview of Bill Hosokawa’s manuscript “Americans with Japanese Faces” and explained the Executive Reorganization plan.

Elsewhere, Hosokawa toured San Francisco’s Japanese Cultural and Trade Center, and Henry Kanegae recalled the evacuation and Poston. The 25th annual Nisei GI Memorial Service, honoring the 442nd’s rescue of the Texas Lost Battalion, was announced, along with the second National MIS Reunion in Los Angeles. Hawaii’s primaries and the Jr. JACL’s 1968-70 youth project were also covered.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Americans with Japanese Faces: A Sneak Preview, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto praises a draft of Bill Hosokawa’s manuscript “Americans with Japanese Faces,” calling it educational and engrossing. He says the book’s history of Issei, the West, JACL, and Evacuation will interest JACL members.
• Foot-in-Mouth Disease, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto criticizes Spiro Agnew for calling a Japanese American reporter a “Fat Jap,” arguing the term is never acceptable even if unintended. He says the slur is politically understandable as a Democratic talking point but still offensive to Japanese Americans of all parties.
• The Outer Limits, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto warns against extremist talk that the only way to change American society is through violence and guns. He argues that racism is not beyond redemption and that a rising trend toward isolationism and reaction threatens progress.
• Tokyo Topics: Shimanouchi Welcomed Home, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 4. Former Los Angeles consul general Henry Shimanouchi was welcomed by Tokyo’s foreign correspondents during a brief visit. The column recalls his help to many foreign reporters in Japan.
• Sakura Script, by Jim Henry, page 5. Henry comments on Japanese politics, including the resignation of Socialist Secretary-General Koichi Yamamoto over a mistress on his payroll. He also notes AWOL incidents among U.S. servicemen and Soviet unpopularity after Czechoslovakia.
• Should Be Ready for the Future, by Wayne Horiuchi, page 5. Horiuchi uses a raccoon-in-shower analogy to argue that Japanese Americans must see the open door of their heritage and future. He urges members to become active in local JACL chapters rather than remain apathetic.
• Mistress on Payroll of Socialist Leader Amuses Lib-Dem, by Jim Henry, page 5. Jim Henry reports that Liberal-Democrats are amused by Socialist Secretary-General Koichi Yamamoto’s resignation over a mistress on his payroll. He notes the public would not tolerate the same from the Left.
• Touch of Madness, by Wash Line, page 6. A column invoking an ancient Greek philosopher’s advice to inject small doses of madness against apathy. It connects this to the intangible “Soul” of American Negroes and the struggles of Sansei.
• Point of Interest, by Roger Nikaido, page 6. A Georgia landlady’s letter praising her Japanese roomers as the nicest, quietest, and cleanest tenants she knew is reprinted from a chapter newsletter. The column presents it as a point of interest.
• Letters: Agnew Agitation, by Murray Sprung, page 6. A New York reader criticizes Agnew’s “fat Jap” remark and questions how educated officials can use slurs. Several JACL chapters and leaders also sent protest telegrams calling the remarks unacceptable.
• Vietnam War Widow Faces Deportation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Miaoying Eiko Floyd, widow of a soldier killed in Vietnam, faces deportation because her student visa expired. She may remain until she completes her business school course in Memphis.

JACL

• Executive Committee, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto explains the Executive Reorganization plan’s Executive Committee, which will act for the National Board and work with staff on Convention decisions. He describes the interim committee composition and plans to departmentalize the vice presidencies.
• JACL Official Explanation Presented on ‘Jap’ Slur, Agnew Protest, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. JACL’s Washington representative sent Governor Agnew a letter explaining why the word “Jap” is derogatory to Japanese Americans and their history. The letter acknowledged Agnew’s apology but asked for accountability and respect.

National

• Hawaiians to Vote in Primaries Tomorrow, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Republicans have conceded many House seats and Democrats have conceded fewer, leaving the Democrats dominant in the Hawaii legislature. The article also covers uncontested State Senate races and a crowded Honolulu City Council field.
• Regional, Local Projects to Be Pushed by Jr. JACL, by Norman Ishimoto, page 4. The 1968-70 National Youth Project will emphasize chapter and district involvement in local community service. Youth councils will receive guidance, and an Abe Hagiwara Memorial Award is planned for 1970.

Community

• Knowland Comments Agnew Remark as ‘Unfortunate, Regrettable’ at Rally, by P.C. Staff, page 1. At a Berkeley rally, Japanese Americans and Asian American groups criticized Spiro Agnew’s “fat Jap” remark. Republican panelist William F. Knowland called the remark unfortunate and regretted it deeply.
• EYOA Grants $12,000 to Fund COO Multi-Service Center for Rest of ’68, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Economic and Youth Opportunity Agency confirmed $12,000 in funding for the Council of Oriental Organizations’ multi-service center through the end of the year. Officials also cited COO’s help in providing teachers and programs at Castelar Street School.
• ‘The Great Pancake Is Coming’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Progressive Westside JACL announced its annual pancake breakfast on Sunday at the Food Giant parking lot, with prizes and entertainment. Proceeds benefit the chapter’s Christmas party for retarded children.
• Sonoma County JACL Raises Dues for ’69, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Sonoma County JACL board raised membership dues to match the national increase adopted at the San Jose convention. Head-of-household dues rise to $8 and couples to $15.
• Tanamachi Column: Japanese American Identity Crisis Among Sansei, by Joe Yamamoto, page 4. A chapter in Dr. Eugene Brody’s book discusses the Japanese American identity crisis among Sansei adolescents. The author argues that traditional Japanese family values shape how Nisei families respond to civil rights pressures.

Incarceration & Redress

• Rep. Matsunaga Criticizes Gov. Agnew for Use of ‘Jap’, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga condemned Agnew’s use of “Jap” on the House floor, drawing national attention to the word’s offensiveness. A nonpartisan committee urged support for reelecting Matsunaga, Patsy Mink, and Daniel Inouye.
• Evacuation Notice, by Henry Kanegae, page 3. Kanegae recalls wartime memories of the evacuation, including the Orange County JACL’s book donations and the hardships at Poston. He reflects on the parallels between Nisei frustration then and the struggle of Black Americans now.
• Okei Remembered at Gold Hill Grave, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sacramento visitors Edgar and Fern Sayre honored Okei, a 19-year-old buried near Gold Hill, at a replica tomb in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Mrs. Sayre’s research on the Wakamatsu Colony was recognized at a civic reception.

Military & Veterans

• Koga Method Reduces Incidents of Police ‘Brutality’ in Nabbing Suspects, by P.C. Staff, page 3. LAPD officer Robert K. Koga’s book proposes adapting judo and karate holds so officers can subdue suspects without brute force. The method emphasizes control and handcuffing techniques that reduce injury.
• 25th Annual Nisei GI Memorial Rites Slated, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sonoma County JACL will hold its 25th annual Nisei GI Memorial Service at Enmanji Buddhist Temple on October 27. The service commemorates the 442nd’s rescue of the Texas Lost Battalion in France.
• 2nd National MIS Reunion Registrants Across Nation, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Registrations are arriving for the second National MIS Reunion at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, Nov. 9-11. The reunion includes a fashion show, banquet, and memorial service for MIS veterans.

In-Depth

• Trade and Culture, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa visits San Francisco’s Japanese Cultural and Trade Center and describes its hotel, shops, and restaurants. He reflects on how Urban Renewal reshaped the Japanese American community there.

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