Vol. 55, No. 22, November 30, 1962. 4 pages. View this issue
JACL chapters took on a racial slur on television, and President Kennedy’s order against housing discrimination drew welcome. Chapter protests led the producers of an ABC comedy series to pledge more careful language after the slur “Jap” was used on air. Mike Masaoka wrote that JACL welcomed Kennedy’s executive order banning racial and religious bias in federally assisted housing, and the editorial page called it a long-needed step. Another story described how California’s fair housing law was strengthened by the federal order.
On page 3, Bill Hosokawa remembered Vaughn Mechau, a Heart Mountain administrator who was sympathetic to incarcerated Japanese Americans and helped start the camp newspaper. Hosokawa’s column also took up Japanese wages and trade. Page 4 carries district news, including 1963 membership renewals and the Intermountain District’s 20-year history, in this four-page issue.
What’s in this issue
Incarceration & Redress
- Chapter Protests Effective in Quelling Use of ‘Jap’ on TV, by P.C. Staff, page 1. JACL chapters protested the use of the slur ‘Jap’ in an ABC comedy series, prompting the producers to pledge more careful language. The National Director reported the studio’s assurances that such terms would be avoided in future episodes.
National
- JACL Welcomes Kennedy Order Banning Housing Bias, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. President Kennedy issued an executive order prohibiting racial and religious discrimination in federally assisted housing, which JACL welcomed. The order establishes a committee on equal opportunity in housing and applies to projects financed under federal loan programs.
- Calif. Housing Statute Said to Be Strengthened by Kennedy’s Order, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California’s existing fair housing law was described as substantially strengthened by the federal order issued the previous week. Governor Brown had previously signed the state measure, which makes discrimination in housing sales unlawful.
Commentary
- Progress in Housing, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial welcomes President Kennedy’s housing nondiscrimination order as a long-needed step against prejudice toward persons of Japanese ancestry. It notes that California already has fair housing laws while projecting that rising population will require significantly more housing construction.
- Bill Hosokawa’s Column, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa comments on Japanese labor wages and productivity, responding to Walter Reuther’s remarks on Japan’s competitive advantage. He also discusses broader issues of international trade and labor policy.
Community
- Northwest Chapters Hold Meetings, by Elmer Ogawa, page 2. Northwest district news reports on chapter activities and upcoming programs. The column covers local JACL developments in the region.
Obituaries
- Vaughn Mechau Dies in Libya, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa remembers Vaughn Mechau, a Heart Mountain administrator who was sympathetic to incarcerated Japanese Americans and helped start the camp newspaper. Mechau later died of a heart attack while serving in a foreign aid assignment in Libya.
JACL
- NC-WNDC Chapters and 1963 Memberships, by Masao Kow, page 4. Membership renewals for 1963 are coming in from chapters across the country, with early reports from Chicago, Contra Costa, and Washington, D.C. The column also reports on the McHale’s Navy TV program response and the district’s youth programming efforts.
- Intermountain District Meeting and IDC History, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Intermountain District Council held an installation ceremony in Salt Lake City and is completing a 20-year district history. Pocatello chapter news and planned national tournament participation are also highlighted.
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