Vol. 65, No. 3, July 21, 1967. 6 pages. View this issue
National JACL President Jerry Enomoto was at the center of this six-page issue. In a talk at an EDC banquet in Washington, he named the lessons learned since the Evacuation, above all that Japanese Americans must speak out against race prejudice and support full acceptance of all minorities. Also on the front page, Norman Y. Mineta was chosen from 24 candidates for a vacancy on the San Jose city council, and 12 winners of National JACL scholarships were announced, led by James Sakamoto Jr. of Pasadena.
Inside are columns from Bill Hosokawa on two young New Yorkers touring the West, Jeffrey Matsui on a symposium about human relations, and Yosh Hotta on a Nisei veteran’s meeting with former Japanese soldiers on Kiska Island. Richard Gima reported on Hawaii’s tourist boom, and Jim Henry wrote about beer gardens and golf in Japan. The Cortez JACL dedicated a new hall to its Issei pioneers, and two letters take up capital punishment and the term “mixed blood.”
What’s in this issue
JACL
- Enomoto Recalls Lessons from Evacuation at EDC Banquet in Washington, page 1. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto identified lessons learned since the Evacuation, most importantly that Japanese Americans must speak out against race prejudice and support full acceptance of all minorities. He also cited the need for a strong national organization and the value of the Japanese History Project.
- National JACL Scholarships Awarded to 12; Pasadenan Wins Top Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Twelve winners of National JACL scholarships were announced, led by James Sakamoto Jr. of Pasadena for the Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship. Other awardees from chapters across the country received scholarships ranging from $150 to $400 based on scholastic and community achievement.
Community
- Mineta Named to San Jose City Council, First Non-White Member, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Active JACLer Norman Y. Mineta was chosen from 24 candidates to fill a vacancy on the San Jose city council, becoming the first non-Caucasian to serve on the council. He was appointed to fill the seat until the next election and has expressed views on transit, city hall relocation, and a convention center.
- Cortez JACL Dedicates New Issei Memorial Hall, page 3. The Cortez JACL dedicated a new building to the Issei pioneers of its community in an outdoor ceremony attended by 200 people. National JACL President Jerry Enomoto congratulated the chapter on the project.
Commentary
- From the Frying Pan: Visitors, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa describes hosting two young New Yorkers, Judy Kanazawa and Sally Shimizu, who toured the western United States. He reflects on how their observations of the West highlight how Nisei have moved far from the rural life of earlier generations.
- Human Relations, by Jeffrey Matsui, page 4. Jeffrey Matsui recounts a frustrating symposium on human relations where Japanese Americans were praised in ways that implicitly criticized other minorities. He describes the tension of speaking modestly about Japanese American achievements while refusing to be used against other groups.
- Small World, by Yosh Hotta, page 4. Yosh Hotta shares a story about a Nisei veteran who met former Japanese soldiers on Kiska Island while serving in the Aleutians. The anecdote reflects on the folly of war and the small connections between people.
- Bout That Time, by Alan Kumamoto, page 4. Alan Kumamoto previews the joint National Jr. JACL Youth Council and Youth Commission meeting, tracing the history of the youth program. He encourages chapters to examine whether their youth programs can do more.
- Tourist Boom, by Richard Gima, page 5. Richard Gima reports that Hawaii will need 22,000 hotel rooms by 1969 to accommodate its projected million-visitor year. He also covers local news including military casualties and an accident in Hilo.
- Sakura Seppu: Kanpai Shimasho, by Jim Henry, page 5. Jim Henry writes about Japan’s beer-drinking culture, noting millions of drinkers and the rise of rooftop beer gardens. He also covers the growth of golf in Japan and the land and cost issues it raises.
- Letters: Capital Punishment, by Norman Ishimoto, page 6. Norman Ishimoto responds to Dr. Dave Miura’s support of capital punishment, arguing from Buddhist and Christian principles that society should not impose the death penalty. He urges society to address the root causes of crime through treatment and reform.
- We’ll Agree to This, by Allan Beekman, page 6. Allan Beekman protests the use of the term ‘mixed blood’ for children of mixed Japanese and non-Japanese parentage. He argues that such discrimination stems from circumstances, not blood, and that the label misleads.
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