Vol. 41, No. 9, August 26, 1955. 8 pages. View this issue
Olympic diving champion Major Sammy Lee of the U.S. Army was denied the chance to buy a home in Garden Grove, California, because of his Asian ancestry, and the story ran across this eight-page issue. Columns by Larry Nakatsuka, Tats Kushida and G. Arlene Fukei, along with an editorial, looked at housing bias and why Nisei should not quietly accept it. Lee said he wanted to test how Californians really felt, and the front page reported offers of support that reached him within days.
Other pages cover the JACL joining a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a Virginia case on interracial marriage bans, and an Immigration and Naturalization Service ruling on re-entry permits for Issei. Seiji Itahara of Chicago was named the 1955 Masaoka scholarship winner. Bill Hosokawa wrote about Japanese fan language, and Harry K. Honda traced the origins of Los Angeles Nisei Week.
What’s in this issue
National
- Olympic champ fights Oriental housing bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Olympic diving champion Major Sammy Lee was denied the purchase of a home in Garden Grove, California, because of his Korean ancestry. The incident drew national attention and offers of support from officials and community members.
- Visa discrimination inquiry: three nations reply, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Consular officials of Great Britain, Costa Rica, and El Salvador responded to inquiries about discrimination in travel visas to American citizens of Asian ancestry. Their replies suggested that staff may not be fully informed and that complaints should go directly to visa officials.
Military & Veterans
- 442nd reserves wind up training, by P.C. Staff, page 1. About 450 members of the 442nd Infantry Regiment reserves completed a two-week field training program at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. A formal review was scheduled for veterans of the original 442nd and 100th Battalion.
- Hawaii certificates of citizenship revoked by I&NS, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Immigration and Naturalization Service revoked Hawaii certificates of citizenship and stopped authorizing new forms. The JACL Washington office said it would monitor hardships affecting citizens unable to obtain birth certificates.
JACL
- Interracial marriage issue on block, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL joined a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a Virginia case challenging state bans on interracial marriage under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case involves a Chinese husband and a Caucasian wife whose marriage was annulled.
- Masaoka scholarship winner named, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Seiji Itahara of Chicago was named recipient of the 1955 Pvt. Ben Frank Masaoka Memorial Scholarship. He graduated as valedictorian of his Lane Technical High School class and plans to study chemical engineering at MIT.
Obituaries
- George Nishita, JACL leader, succumbs at 44, by P.C. Staff, page 1. George Kazuto Nishita, a San Benito County farm operator and JACL leader, died of a heart attack at age 44. He had served as vice-chairman and then chairman of the Northern California-Western Nevada District Council.
- RIP: George Nishita, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This tribute remembers George Nishita as a venerable patriarch of the San Benito County JACL chapter who gave decades of service. It notes his success in business and his balanced devotion to community, family, and hobbies.
Community
- Renewal of re-entry permits barred; alien Issei to be affected, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Immigration and Naturalization Service ruled that resident alien Japanese denied a re-entry permit extension while abroad cannot appeal the decision. The new rule changes prior practice affecting Issei travelers.
- Very truly yours: Nisei Week nursed in prewar years as JACL project, by Harry K. Honda, page 7. Harry Honda traces the origins of Los Angeles Nisei Week, which began as a JACL-supported summer festival in the early 1930s. He describes how its format evolved and why it remains a valued community tradition.
- Shonien Child Care Center superintendent selection expected soon, by P.C. Staff, page 8. The Shonien Child Care Center in Los Angeles, ready for dedication in October, has narrowed its superintendent search to three applicants. A dozen trained workers from across the country had applied.
Commentary
- Tokyo Topics: Transcript found in postal ministry, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 2. Murayama reports on Ryukyu postal stamps and the use of the Imperial Chrysanthemum Crest on Japanese stamps and currency. A philatelic expert explains the history of the crest and why it is restricted to Imperial Family properties.
- From the Frying Pan: Love talk with folding fan, by Bill Hosokawa, page 2. Hosokawa humorously discusses Japanese fan language and its gestures for romantic communication. He reflects on how the fan signals differ from Hollywood depictions.
- Fine folks like Sammy Lees, by Larry Nakatsuka, page 3. Columnist Larry Nakatsuka argues that person-to-person acquaintance can break down racial barriers, using the Sammy Lee case as an example. He cites diplomats and officials who stress mutual understanding between peoples.
- Dateline Northwest: Housing situation in Seattle, by G. Arlene Fukei, page 5. Arlene Fukei describes how some Seattle real estate firms refuse to show property to Orientals despite state law. She argues the public attitude is changing but that Orientals should not have to wait 15 to 20 years for equal rights.
- You can’t live here, by Tats Kushida, page 6. Kushida criticizes Nisei homebuyers who quietly accept rejection instead of fighting discrimination, and describes JACL efforts supporting Sammy Lee. He notes local officials and newspapers that spoke out against the discrimination.
- Samony Lee wants to stand on own two feet over rejection, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Sammy Lee said he wants to test whether Californians truly feel as the housing rejection suggests, and noted the irony of facing discrimination after promoting American fairness abroad. His sister added that he had done more for democracy than many who rejected him.
- Since when can minority outnumber the majority?, by P.C. Staff, page 7. This editorial argues that the Sammy Lee incident shows discrimination still exists despite Nisei complacency about assimilation. It contends that color-based housing restrictions cannot be justified by fears of minority majorities.
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