Anti-miscegenation laws struck down, plus Nisei identity and chapter news

Vol. 64, No. 24, June 16, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue

On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law and similar statutes in 15 other states unconstitutional. The decision was written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, and JACL, which filed as friend of the court, applauded the ruling. On the front page, National President Jerry Enomoto asked whether the Nisei trait of enryo, a self-effacing reluctance, had become a syndrome, drawing on Harry Kitano’s analysis. Mike Masaoka profiled Takeso Shimoda, Japan’s incoming ambassador to the United States.

The six pages also cover the Supreme Court’s refusal to review the Berkeley Free Speech Movement convictions of Mario Savio and 564 others, a reunion of 60 former Topaz WRA co-op workers in San Francisco, and chapter scholarships from Arizona, Fowler, Salt Lake and San Francisco. Columns by Elmer Ogawa and Joe Grant Masaoka and letters from readers close the issue.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• ‘Enryo’ Syndrome?, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto reflects on Harry Kitano’s analysis of the Nisei tendency toward self-effacing reluctance, called enryo. He questions whether this trait fosters phony interpersonal relationships and urges the JACL to avoid enryo in its own affairs.
• Mrs. Fong’s Trip to Japan Notes, by Harry Honda, page 1. Travel reflections and notes from the JACL tour to Japan describe logistics such as vaccinations, passports, and the group’s itinerary. The writer also recalls earlier trips made in the 1950s.
• Jo Miya Latest ‘Colony’ Find, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. Seattle columnist Elmer Ogawa profiles Jo Miya, a Sansei singer and dancer and former Flower Drum Song performer, who was brought to the Colony nightclub by Norm Bobrow. He describes her career and the reactions of local audiences.
• Racist Humor, by Ken Hayashi, page 6. Ken Hayashi, editor of the Santana Wind, defends the comedy acts performed at a Pacific Southwest district council convention and says the humor, though racist, was hilarious. He contrasts it with comedies from Toho Studios.
• Kuroki’s Stand, by Henry Kanegae, page 6. Henry Kanegae of Nogales, Arizona defends Ben Kuroki’s remarks favoring Japanese American marriage within the race. He argues that pride in heritage is not narrow-minded.
• Concert Japanesque, by Mrs. George Mio, page 6. Mrs. George Mio, concert co-chairman of Beach-Harbor JACL, responds to editor Harry Honda on the Concert Japanesque program. She reports that proceeds went to the district for cultural activities and that the audience was enthusiastic.

Community

• San Jose JACL Plans New $250,000 Building, by Perry Dobashi, page 1. The San Jose JACL building committee is considering a cultural service building to replace its present structure, with estimates at $250,000. A community meeting was called for June 30 and the chapter took several other actions at its last meeting.
• Livingston-Merced Garners S.F. JACL Olympic Crown, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Livingston-Merced JACL won the San Francisco JACL Olympics held June 11 at Washington High School with 141 points. Several athletes set competition marks in the events reported.
• NC-WNDC Youth Council to Meet at Squaw Valley, by Robert Kitajima, page 1. The Northern California-Western Nevada District Youth Council will hold its summer conference at Squaw Valley June 23-25 under the theme ‘Enter the Young.’ The agenda includes a speaker on LSD, recreation, a dance, and Sunday church services.
• Cultural Groups Will Be Welcome at S.F. Trade Center, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese Cultural and Trade Center in San Francisco responded to a Hokubei Mainichi editorial by assuring that community cultural groups will be welcome at the center, scheduled to open in fall. Developer Masayuki Tokioka said the delay in involving groups was intended to spare them embarrassment.
• Subversive Activities Executive Quits Post, by P.C. Staff, page 2. William B. Sutherland resigned as executive secretary of the Hawaii State Commission on Subversive Activities, saying officials did not really want the commission. The item is a brief report from Honolulu.
• Urashima Taro Fenced In, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Urashima Taro set at Fairytale Town in Sacramento’s William Land Park, a gift of the Sacramento Japanese community, has been roped off for viewing only after constant play by children damaged it. Park officials said it could no longer be maintained in its original state.
• Idaho Falls Graduates Honored by JACL Chapter, by Taka Nukaya, page 3. The Idaho Falls JACL honored seventeen eastern Idaho high school graduates at a dinner held May 31. Tommy Miyasaki of Rexburg gave the inspirational address.
• Fowler JACL Presents $100 Scholarship, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Fowler JACL awarded its $100 scholarship to Rick Holland, a graduating senior at Fowler High School, regardless of race or creed. The chapter also presented other scholarships to students entering the law or professions.
• Salt Lake JACL Scholar Selected, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Nancy Ryujin of Ogden High School was named winner of the Salt Lake JACL chapter scholarship and will compete for the National JACL scholarships. Fred Sayama of Bear River High was named alternate candidate.
• San Francisco Scholar Selected, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Janice K. Ogi, daughter of William Ogi of San Francisco, won the 1967 San Francisco JACL scholarship. She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and will attend the University of San Francisco.
• Arizona JACL Hands Out Scholarships Totaling $1,400, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Arizona JACL presented four scholarships totaling $1,400 at its sixth annual Sara Hutchings Clardy scholarship awards banquet in Scottsdale. The awards honor Mrs. Clardy, who helped Japanese Americans during wartime.

National

• Unemployed Husband Kills Wife, Daughter, by P.C. Staff, page 1. In Reno, James Wesley Bradley shot and killed his wife Aiko Iwasaki Bradley and her 16-year-old daughter Candace Lynn before committing suicide on May 21. He had left letters describing the difficulty of loving two women in the same house.
• Supreme Court Strikes Down All Anti-Miscegenation Laws, by P.C. Staff, page 2. On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law and similar statutes in 15 other states unconstitutional. The decision, written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, held that freedom to marry is a vital personal right, and JACL, which filed as friend of the court, applauded the ruling.
• Mike Masaoka Washington Newsletter: Takeso Shimoda, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka profiles Takeso Shimoda, Japan’s incoming ambassador to the United States, a career diplomat who has held several senior posts. Shimoda’s address to Japanese and American audiences outlined Japan’s foreign policy outlook and US-Japan relations.
• Supreme Court Won’t Review U.C. FSM Sentences, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review convictions of Mario Savio and 564 others arrested during the 1964 Berkeley Free Speech Movement, including three Japanese Americans. The appeal had raised constitutional questions about trespass and resisting arrest statutes applied to sit-ins.
• Israeli-Arab Issue Unnerves Nisei, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Chronicle column item suggested Japan’s rejection of an Arab request for support would cost Nisei gardeners their jobs. The article argues that Japan actually gave identical neutral replies to both Arab and Israeli delegations and that such fears are unfounded.

Incarceration & Redress

• Journey to Edo: 1857, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 3. This installment recounts Townsend Harris and secretary Henry Heusken’s journey to Edo in 1857 to negotiate a treaty with Japan, drawing on Heusken’s diary. It describes the formal procession and the deference shown by the Japanese people along the route.

Military & Veterans

• Ex-Topaz WRA Co-op Reunion Draws 60, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Sixty former Topaz WRA co-op workers and their families held their first reunion in 25 years at the Jack Tar Hotel in San Francisco. The evening featured recognition of co-op advisers and special guests.

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