A Mississippi courtroom, a Supreme Court call and JACL’s civil rights role

Vol. 64, No. 13, March 31, 1967. 12 pages. View this issue

Civil rights ran through this 12-page issue. On the front page, William Marutani continued his account of defending a Black client on a grand theft charge in a Mississippi courtroom, with its segregated seating and its guilty verdict. He was also invited by the U.S. Supreme Court to present oral argument in the Loving v. Virginia case, which challenged Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law. Inside, Mike Masaoka traced JACL’s long record on civil rights, and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1967 civil rights message to Congress is reprinted. Jerry Enomoto wrote of an evening honoring Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, and later urged JACL toward broader concerns.

Other items include a commentary asking whether JACL should take a position on the death penalty, Bill Hosokawa on Nisei and Japanese culture, and Jim Henry on snow and Japan’s Tokaido Line. Chapters will find the May 15 deadline for JACL scholarship nominees, new medical plan benefits starting July 1, and Donald Kazama on forming a Human Relations Committee.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• A Day in a Southern Court (Part Three), by By William Marutani, page 1. Marutani recounts defending a Black client on a grand theft charge in a Mississippi courtroom, detailing jury selection, the trial, and the guilty verdict. He describes the segregated courtroom and his efforts despite the odds.
• Evening with Patsy, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. JACL National President Jerry Enomoto describes a San Francisco JACL reception honoring Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink. The column is a brief commentary on the event and her work in Congress.
• Staff Addition, by Masao Satow, page 1. National Director Masao Satow announces a new Assistant National Director to serve the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council and its chapters. The column also notes growth in national memberships and 1000 Club support.
• A Matter of Culture, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa reflects on Nisei knowledge of Japanese culture after noting the Aspen Institute’s Far Eastern Thought Seminar. He questions whether Nisei should know more about their ancestral heritage.
• Snow Woes, by Jim Henry, page 3. Henry describes Japan National Railways’ efforts to keep the Tokaido Line running in snow, including a jet-powered snow plough that proved too noisy. He wryly reflects on the cost of progress.
• Guiding the Youth, by Kay Nakagiri, page 4. Nakagiri offers advice to chapters on sustaining youth groups, including adviser involvement, chapter support, and youth program funding. She previews new Jr. JACL manuals and the 1968 convention.
• Integration a Factor, by George Yoshinaga, page 4. Yoshinaga observes that Negro athletes now dominate Los Angeles city high school basketball honors and credits their hunger to succeed. He contrasts this with Sansei athletes who he believes are too coddled.
• Two-fold Purpose in JACL, by Ellen Endo, page 4. Endo argues JACL’s purpose is to unite Japanese Americans and to take firm stands advancing their position. She criticizes members who avoid civil rights positions to avoid controversy.
• Kuroki’s Stand, by James A. Michener, page 4. Michener writes in response to Ben Kuroki’s opposition to Japanese-Caucasian marriages, noting he would have been affected had such a stance existed earlier. He expresses relief at the lack of earlier prohibition.
• President Johnson Delivers 1967 Civil Rights Message, by Lyndon B. Johnson, page 5. President Johnson’s message to Congress reviews civil rights progress in voting, schools, hospitals, and public accommodations. He proposes fair housing, jury, employment, and enforcement legislation.
• In A Greater America, by Jerry Enomoto, page 5. National President Enomoto urges JACL to move beyond narrow ethnic concerns and embrace broader civil rights work. He hopes the monthly civil rights page will reflect diverse member views.

National

• A JACL Issue?, page 1. A commentary argues JACL should decline a request to take an official position opposing the death penalty, since the subject does not directly affect Japanese Americans. It notes individuals may pursue the issue through other organizations.
• U.S. Supreme Court Calls Nisei to Argue Loving Case, page 1. JACL National Legal Counsel William Marutani was invited by the U.S. Supreme Court to present oral argument in the Loving v. Virginia case challenging Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law. The article also summarizes Virginia’s contrary arguments.

Community

• Youth Brotherhood Award Started, page 1. The Chicago JACL presented its 1967 Brotherhood Award to educator Thomas S. Teraji and launched the Abraham Hagiwara Memorial Brotherhood Award, first given to Margaret Iwanaga. The article profiles their community service.
• PSW Medical Plan to Boost Benefits Effective July 1, page 1. The PSWDC board approved increased JACL major medical plan benefits, raising the per-sickness maximum to $7,500 and hospital room limit to $35 per day, effective July 1, 1967. New quarterly premiums were also announced.
• Forming a Human Relations Committee in the Chapter, by Donald Kazama, page 3. Kazama describes how the Seattle JACL formed a Human Relations Committee and held community meetings and discussion series with Negro and American Indian groups. He reports growing invitations for Nisei participation in community activities.

JACL

• JACL Chapters Have Until May 15 to Pick Scholarship Nominees, page 1. JACL chapters received information and forms for the 1967 National JACL scholarship program, with nominations due May 15. Nominees must be of Japanese descent or chapter-recommended, and receipt of other awards does not disqualify them.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL’s Civil Rights History, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka traces JACL’s long involvement in civil rights, from wartime evacuation challenges to postwar court cases. He argues JACL’s civil rights work has benefited all minorities and should continue through litigation and legislation.

Military & Veterans

• Military Newsletter Briefs, page 2. Brief news items cover Nisei military news including a Vietnam death and legislation on service exemptions and veteran pensions. Content is largely summary-level.

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