Vol. 65, No. 11, September 15, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue
The Eastern and Midwest District Councils met in Chicago over Labor Day weekend, and the convention drew coverage on several pages. Jerry Enomoto and Mike Masaoka wrote about the gathering, Teresa Muraoka of Cincinnati was crowned convention queen, and a luncheon fashion show brought designs from Japan, New York, England and Chicago. The Chicago Japanese community also gave the city an arboretum of flowering trees, and Mari Aki described the gift.
Elsewhere, Elmer Ogawa reported on how neighborhood unrest affected Seattle’s Bon Odori, and Rep. Spark Matsunaga opposed a federal plan to classify employees by race. Minoru Yasui became director of Denver’s Commission on Community Relations. Bill Hosokawa wrote on Vietnam, Charles Russell profiled Harry S. Kawabe of Alaska, and youth council reports covered meetings in San Jose and a new Jr. JACL in Spokane.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- EDC-MDC Parley, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. Enomoto reflects on the successful EDC-MDC Biennial Convention in Chicago over Labor Day weekend, noting how far Japanese Americans and Japan have progressed. He praises the Chicago JACL, the Ambassador’s visit, and the Chicago Nisei Ambassadors Drum & Bugle Corps.
- From the Frying Pan: Vietnam, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa summarizes Edwin Reischauer’s Look article on U.S. choices in Vietnam, including escalation, withdrawal, and negotiated settlement. He notes the dangers of each and recommends that Nisei read the piece.
- Youth Council Session in Brief, by Russell Obana, page 3. Obana reports on the National Youth Council interim session in San Jose, covering constitution revisions, a Peace Corps donation, and Happi Coat fundraising. He also summarizes the Youth Page schedule change and the queen contest authorization.
- There’s More to Life than Job and Family, by Francis Oka, page 3. Oka argues that a meaningful life requires clarifying one’s own beliefs and then living by them fully. He presents this as the deepest purpose of life beyond work and family.
- How Many Times?, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. The author questions whether adults truly listen to youth and calls for mutual courtesy and acceptance across generations. The piece urges both sides to pay attention and stop repeating themselves unheard.
- Membership Push, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Matsui urges Pacific Southwest District chapters to build mailing lists for the October membership drive. He notes the district’s goal of 15,000 names and invites volunteers to a district meeting.
- Go Bwe La’ Iya?, by Ken Kuroiwa, page 4. A wandering young writer reflects on ‘tabi-dero,’ the Japanese rite of passage of traveling to see the world. He connects his journey to his grandfather’s own migration and to his heritage.
Community
- Seattle Bon Odori attendance tempered by neighborhood unrest, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. Seattle avoided the violence seen elsewhere in summer 1967, but officials moved quickly to ease racial tensions through meetings with Negro community representatives. Bon Odori attendance dipped and the festival closed early amid police concerns.
- Min Yasui appointed director of Denver’s community relations group, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Attorney Minoru Yasui became director of Denver’s Commission on Community Relations, succeeding Helen Peterson. His background includes wartime incarceration and long service with the Japanese American Citizens League.
- Arboretum of flowering Japanese trees presented by Chicago Japanese community for city park, by Mari Aki, page 1. The Chicago Japanese American community gave the city an arboretum of flowering trees to thank Chicago for welcoming evacuees 25 years earlier. The trees will be planted around Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park.
- Jr. JACL Council Highlights, by Misako Hasebe, page 3. The National Youth Council met in San Jose on Aug. 19-20 and discussed budget deficits, a Happi Coat fundraiser, and membership procedures. It also approved a constitution draft and a new Jr. JACL seal.
- From pros & cons, new Jr. JACL organized for Spokane youth, by Linda Takami, page 3. Spokane formed its first Jr. JACL after a series of organizational meetings and secured adult advisers. The group has already conducted fundraising and held a banquet installing officers.
- Midwest DYC chapters inaugurate own recognitions program; 10 receive plaques, by Richard Okabe and Carol Nakagawa, page 5. At the EDC-MDC Convention, Midwest Jr. chapters held their first youth recognitions program and presented plaques to individuals for service. The convention also featured fundraising, elections, and a banquet with Ambassador Shimoda.
National
- Matsunaga fights plan for civil service racial survey, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga opposed a Civil Service Commission plan to use visual observation to classify federal employees by race. He said such surveys bring embarrassment and vowed to block them in Hawaii.
- ‘Red Guard’ turns Japan toward U.S., by P.C. Staff, page 1. Toshio Tsukahira, a Nisei consul, said Red Guard excesses in China have pushed Japanese public opinion closer to the United States. He spoke in Oakland before taking his post in Fukuoka.
In-Depth
- Japanese Americans hold superficial show of education in higher esteem, by Todd Endo, page 1. Endo argues that Japanese Americans value the outward signs of education, such as grades and degrees, more than learning itself. He calls for students to cultivate curiosity, sensitivity, and independent thought.
- Harry S. Kawabe continues to show faith in Alaska, by Charles Russell, page 4. Seattle businessman Harry Kawabe, 77, has built a diversified fortune and now promotes economic development in Alaska through Japanese partnerships. The profile traces his life from his arrival in Seattle in 1906 through his laundry business and wartime internment.
Obituaries
- Tamura, Hatsuzo, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Obituary listings for community members appear in the issue. These are name-only listings and are skipped.
JACL
- Teresa Muraoka, Cincinnati’s last-minute entry, wins queen title in her first queen contest, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Teresa Muraoka of Cincinnati was crowned queen of the 7th Biennial EDC-MDC Convention after being a last-minute entry from the newly organized Dayton-Cincinnati Jr. JACL. The 16-year-old won over other contestants and went on to greet Ambassador Shimoda at the airport.
- ‘Wear… but in Chicago’ offers kicky contrast during EDC-MDC joint convention luncheon, by Karen Hanamoto, page 2. The EDC-MDC luncheon fashion show featured designs from Japan, New York, England, and Chicago. Teresa Muraoka was crowned queen, and Capt. Allan Bosworth received a JACL citation for his book.
- EDC-MDC Convention, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka praises the Chicago JACL for hosting a successful Seventh Biennial EDC-MDC Convention. He highlights the Ambassador’s participation, the stag luncheon, the Sunday banquet, and the presentation of trees to the city.
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