Vol. 60, No. 14, April 2, 1965. 4 pages. View this issue
The murder of Viola Liuzzo in Alabama and the push for voting rights ran through this four-page issue. William Marutani’s column on the front page asked “Where Does It Stop?” and argued that complacency about racial violence had to end. Richard Gima, a Nisei reporter, covered the 50-mile march in Alabama, including the Hawaii delegation and the rally in Montgomery. Inside, JACL and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights urged Congress to pass a comprehensive voting rights bill with four amendments, and an editorial pressed the JACL to hold its postponed convention and act on civil rights in concrete ways.
Other items include the San Francisco chapter’s record 1,613 membership cards, support from fifteen senators and congressmen for the Japanese American History Project, and Bill Hosokawa’s column on Patsy Mink and Jack Soo. Former Congressman Thomas P. Gill spoke at a 442nd veterans luau in Hawaii, and Dr. Murai’s customs collector post was abolished.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Where Does It Stop?, by William Marutani, page 1. Marutani reflects on the murder of Viola Liuzzo in Alabama and the broader pattern of racial violence that the nation has stood by while it occurred. He argues that complacency must end and that people must act before the question “Where does it stop?” is answered by more deaths.
- Editorial: Postponed Convention and Civil Rights Stand, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial urges the JACL to hold its convention despite postponement, calling for Japanese Americans to demonstrate democratic participation. It stresses the community’s need to act on civil rights in concrete ways.
- Where Does It Stop?, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa examines how Patsy Mink and Jack Soo received favorable national media coverage as individuals in their own right rather than as stereotypes. He argues that Nisei should be recognized by their accomplishments and not solely their ancestry.
JACL
- San Francisco JACL Signs Up 1,600 Members, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The San Francisco JACL chapter submitted 1,613 membership cards to national headquarters, surpassing its previous all-time high of 1,226. The chapter credited a 95 percent renewal rate and a new JACL-CPS health plan for the record increase.
- 1968 JACL Convention Postponed in Nevada District, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The 1968 JACL national convention, originally scheduled for Oakland, California, has been indefinitely postponed. The decision followed the Oakland chapter’s decision to reconsider hosting the event in light of the wider climate.
Incarceration & Redress
- 15 U.S. Senators Enthusiastic in Support of History Project, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fifteen U.S. senators and congressmen expressed support for the Japanese American History Project, which will study the first-generation Issei, Nisei experiences, and interracial relations. The project uses questionnaires and oral interviews and is seeking federal funding.
- Japanese American History Project, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Japanese American History Project continues its study of the Issei and Nisei experiences and interracial relations. Oral interviews and questionnaires are being used to document the community’s history.
National
- FDC Chapters Ask for Progress Report of National JACL Civil Rights Fund, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Eastern District Council chapters requested a progress report on the National JACL Civil Rights Fund and discussed the Walter Memorial Fund appeal. Delegates also addressed the Voting Rights Legislation and planned youth programming for the upcoming convention.
- Nisei Reporter Covers 50-Mile Alabama Voting Rights March, by Richard Gima, page 1. Nisei reporter Richard Gima covered the 50-mile voting rights march in Alabama, describing the reaction of marchers and local residents. The article recounts the tension, the Hawaii delegation’s experiences, and the emotional rally in Montgomery.
- Dr. Murai’s Job as Customs Collector Abolished by LBJ, by P.C. Staff, page 1. President Johnson’s reorganization plan abolished the customs collector post held by Dr. Murai, who had served since 1961. Dr. Murai said he had no immediate plans for the future.
- Congress Urged to Pass Comprehensive Voting Rights Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 2. JACL and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights urged Congress to pass a comprehensive voting rights bill with four key amendments. Members were encouraged to write to their representatives to support the legislation.
Community
- Racial Groupings in Hawaii Anachronism, Ex-Congressman Tells 442nd Veterans Luau, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Former Congressman Thomas P. Gill told a 442nd veterans luau that racial groupings in Hawaii are an anachronism that should be dismantled. He urged the people of Hawaii to pursue a more intellectual excellence and a perfected racial harmony.
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