Letters to the Editor

(Because of the length of the following letter it will be published in two parts, the second appearing next week. With the publishing of a reply from Nobu Kawai, all letters to the editor as nearly as possible will be limited to 300 words in the future. Ed. Note.)

To the Editors:

In defense of the FPC against the intimidations and slanderous editorials of the Heart Mountain Sentinel, the center's newspaper, I am writing this article.

I do not believe it is the policy of the Fair Play committee to engage in any political disputes with individuals or publications, but the editorial that appeared in the March 11 and March 18 issue of the Heart Mountain Sentinel was so un-American and unsound in the light of a democratic country, that I, as a member of the Fair Play committee take this opportunity to try and straighten out some things for the benefit of the Sentinel's editors.

The Sentinel editorial publicly announced that the FPC was being investigated and would soon be broken up on the rocks of law and reason. They hopefully look forward to such an event. The FPC would welcome such an investigation, for we are on the side of LAW and REASON. Furthermore, we are on the side of Justice, Humanity and Fair Play, but above all, we are on the side from which emanates justice, freedom, and liberty. The Constitution and bill of Rights of the United States.

The Sentinel editorial has now dropped down to the level of accusing the FPC of intimidating and threatening those who oppose the FPC, that the FPC leaders have tried to "fire with fanatical zeal the weaker members in the latrines, behind closed doors, and under the protection of darkness." If the writers of this editorial can produce one single evidence of such a nature, I think the FPC would appreciate knowing of it. These editors who first tried intimidations and veiled threats against the FPC are now resorting to the usual smearing tactics to try and discredit and break up the FPC.

What manner of persons have we in the Sentinel editorial staff who would express, who would write such un-American, un-democratic, and bigoted words? Who are those people who would like to destroy anything that stands for justice, Constitutionalism, and humanity? Why would they like to intimidate, threaten, suppress, ridicule, those who have the fortitude to stand up for justice, righteousness, Constitutionalism, and for the very fundamentals which this nation was built upon?

What makes them try to present an artificial front, an apple-polished exterior to the public, while trying to stifle the truth of how we loyal American citizens of Japanese ancestry feel towards all the injustices, the discriminations, and the suppressing of our rights which are our rightful heritage? Is it because of selfish interests which exist in the hearts of certain individuals? Or is it because of certain persons, that they would carry on against anything or anyone that raises its voice for justice, equity, and the perseverance of our constitutional rights?

Why do these editors want to blame the parents for the indecision of the nisei to respond to the present discriminatory program? These parents who have suffered untold hardships, who have suffered extreme self-denial, and who have made every kind of sacrifice for their children, who literally sweated blood so that they, the nisei, may never know what, may never experience insecurity, may receive the best in education, may hold the respect of their fellow citizens.

These parents who although are ineligible for citizenship, nevertheless are loyal, upright examples of good citizens, who would never think of doing anything to jeopardize the future welfare of their children, who would gladly send their sons to the army with their blessings if they, the niseis were treated like any other loyal American citizen. Why do they want to cast off their parents like an old discarded shoe, once they do not need their help any longer, just so they can further their own misconcepted and twisted ideas and motives.

Why these editors would shove the blame on the parents is beyond human comprehension. These persons must have parents, or at least had parents. They did not grow up like weeds or animals. They did not grow up by themselves, nor received their education through their own efforts. Why they accuse the parents in such a cowardly way is beyond the imagination of any normal, intelligent person. The above questions, I would like to ask of our editors and the so called apple-polishing "leaders" of our community. Especially, of a former J.A.C.L. president of Pasadena and the present associate editor of our Sentinel, Mr. Nobu Kawai, who spoke on Sunday, March 12, at the Heart Mountain Buddhist church.

Some members of the FPC who were present, took down in shorthand the text of his talk on Democracy, therefore the following quotes are entirely accurate. He said, quote, "The only true democracy is of one mind; the rule of the majority. If the minority raises the ire of the majority, the majority can rule. The majority can change the Constitution itself.

The rights and privileges of the minority can be held up -- cannot fight against democracy. I believe today that the Japanese are the minority and behind the eightball. We have to use public relations to secure our future. Let us remember that the majority can change the Constitution and make this a dictatorship if they so desire. I am trying to put the right type of thinking into the minds of those persons." Unquote. Those are some of the highlights of his address.

Frank Emi
9-21-B

To the Editor:

I had hoped to make several reports back to you while on my trip east, but I've been on the go so much that I haven't been able to do so that I haven't been able to do so till now.

In the first place I'd like to give some impressions of Camp Shelby where I spent last weekend. The men are confident that the 442nd is really "going places" when once they get "over there." The officers are justly proud of the men and showed me the trophies they had won in baseball and swimming. Of course, they hate war and hope it may soon end but when volunteers were asked for to replace losses in the 100th whole platoons rushed to volunteer.

However, I noticed two undercurrents that were natural and should be called to the attention of young men back in the centers. As the 100th and most of the 442nd are largely made up of Hawaiian men they resent the men from the mainland using their achievements for their own ends! I tried to explain that we do have a common cause and that we must all fight together for what is right. However, we of the mainland must not rest on the laurels these men have won for us, but must do our part also!

Another undercurrent was the feeling common to us all, that racial discrimination should be abolished for men who are giving their all for their country. There is little that we can do about this other than keep the right spirit and do our part. But nisei have a host of friends who are really "going to bat" for them.

Right on this line I'd like to tell of my visit in Washington on the 14th. Outside the government and in the government there are people who have a sympathetic understanding of the nisei situation and are doing all they can to restore all civil rights. I wish I could report in detail two long interviews I had with key men in the Pentagon building. Suffice it to say that the army is dead against race discrimination but admits that it has gotten in because of certain pressure groups.

Now that the draft is again in force they feel that nisei should enter the army as Americans and not Japanese. You don't know what harm some of the protests caused because they were made in a bitter spirit, nor how much good others did because they were written in a grand spirit. The army recognizes this and any protests nisei may feel to make should be made in an unselfish, loyal spirit.

So let's keep a stiff upper lip and do our part to the full even if it be "the last full measure." I stood in the Lincoln memorial recently and was again impressed with the spirit of the man, as I read his Gettysburg speech and the second inaugural, engraved there in the marble. Then over Lincoln's head the words "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." O that America may keep hold of its greatness as expressed in the lines of its great men past and present! And may you and I be on the side of the ideal America that will last when injustice and greed are past.

H.V. Nicholson
Sewell, New Jersey

To the Editor:

Paul Nakadate's statement that the community council used "underhanded procedures" in preparing a petition for American citizens "without the approval of the citizen body" smacks of "sour grapes."

The council appointed a special committee to investigate and prepare the subject matter of the petition. After the subject of the petition was discussed at all block meetings, the petition was drawn from the concensus [consensus] of opinion expressed at these meetings.

It is probable the final petition did not suit Nakadate and his FPC. But the FPC does not, and will not, dictate the policy of the community council nor the citizen body.

The council allowed three full days for each block to obtain signatures on the petition. "The hurried overnight drive for signatures" referred to by Nakadate can be no more than expression of his resentment that the council will not recognize his demand that the petition be held until his group could revise it to their liking.

His assertion that "many resignations" from the council resulted from the attack of his group on the council is indicative of the wild statements he makes. Two councilmen resigned, but their resignation was due to personal reasons and were in no way due to the aftermath of the problem.

Saburo Nakashima,
Chairman,
Community Council