Vol. 58, No. 21, May 22, 1964. 4 pages. View this issue
Questions about the organization itself ran through this four-page issue. Jack Mayeda’s Second Thoughts column asked what the JACL had achieved and why many members were unsure about contributing to it. The Pacific Southwest District Council endorsed a slate of national board candidates, and an article recalled that the JACL was among the first organizations to challenge the Army’s wartime evacuation order. Six weeks before the 18th Biennial JACL National Convention, set for July 1-4 at the Sheraton-Cadillac in Detroit, the paper also reported that Portland honor student Jerry Ota had been chosen for the oratorical contest there.
Elsewhere, first vice president Kubota planned to honor Roger Baldwin, founder of the ACLU, for his civil liberties work. A citizen objected to a tax statement that labeled him ‘Oriental.’ Page 2 carries a Supreme Court ruling on naturalized Issei living in Japan, Fred Tamaoka on a Carnegie Corporation grant project, Tamotsu Murayama’s Tokyo Topics column, and Mike Masaoka’s Washington Newsletter.
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Second Thoughts: Contributing to the Organization, by Jack Mayeda, page 1. Jack Mayeda reflects on what the JACL has achieved and asks why many members remain uncertain about contributing to the organization. He questions whether continued JACL involvement is worthwhile and what it means to be a contributing member.
- PSWDC Endorses National JACL Board Candidates, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest District Council endorsed a slate of candidates for national JACL positions ahead of the convention. Chapters also discussed dues, membership contests, and the Pacific Citizen publication schedule.
Obituaries
- Kubota 1st VP to Honor Founder Baldwin of ACLU, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL first vice president Kubota plans to honor Roger Baldwin, founder of the ACLU, for his civil liberties work. The item notes Baldwin’s long support for Japanese Americans.
Incarceration & Redress
- Organization Among First to Challenge Army Evacuation Order, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The article recalls that the JACL was among the first organizations to challenge the Army’s wartime evacuation order. It examines the organization’s early legal and political stance against the removal of Japanese Americans.
Community
- Portland Honor Student Jerry Ota Selected for Detroit Oratorical, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Portland honor student Jerry Ota was chosen to represent his area in the JACL oratorical contest at the Detroit national convention. The selection reflects the strength of youth participation in the organization.
- 6 Weeks to Go: Detroit in ’64, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 18th Biennial JACL National Convention is set for July 1-4 at the Sheraton-Cadillac in Detroit. The notice promotes registration and attendance ahead of the event.
- Historic Project Calls for Carnegie Corp. Grant, by Fred Tamaoka, page 2. Fred Tamaoka reports on a project seeking support from the Carnegie Corporation for documenting Japanese American history. The article outlines the goals and funding needs of the effort.
National
- Tax Statement Stamped ‘Oriental’ Irks Citizen, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A citizen objected to a tax statement that labeled him with the term ‘Oriental,’ calling it an offensive designation. The complaint highlights continuing problems with racial classification in official documents.
- Naturalized Issei Permanently Residing in Japan Aided by Rule, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of naturalized Issei who had lived permanently in Japan, with Justice Douglas writing the majority opinion. The decision addressed whether such citizens could retain citizenship despite lengthy residence abroad.
- Washington Newsletter: Around-the-Clock Sessions, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reports on lengthy Senate sessions over civil rights legislation and the push to eliminate discrimination through federal action. He also covers related developments in Washington affecting Japanese Americans.
In-Depth
- A Bakersfield Boy Who Wept, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Tamotsu Murayama writes about a Bakersfield boy whose experiences moved him to tears, as part of his Tokyo Topics column. The piece reflects on childhood and community life in Bakersfield.
Military & Veterans
- Parlier Councilman Harry Beck Reelected, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Harry Beck was reelected to the Parlier city council, and the item notes his service and role in local government. The brief reports on the local election outcome.
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