WAR PLACES SECOND GENERATION IN LEAD ONCE TAKEN BY ELDERS

Young Americans Of Japanese Ancestry Must Prove Their Right To Claim Protection Of Nation; Should Join With Other Citizens

RESOURCES AT HAND TO HELP SOLVE RIDDLE

By FRANK MIYAMOTO
(Associate in Department of Sociology, U. of W.)

I was listening to the Sunday afternoon broadcast of the New York Symphony Orchestra when the radio report was made that Japan had attacked Hawaii. At first the news came in a puzzling dribble something about ordering the an patrol to its station, something about the torpedoing of an American vessel in the Pacific -- then, the reporter was saying, "Airplanes bearing the insignia of the Rising Sun attacked the Pearl Harbor naval base about 7:50 this morning."

There was the initial moment of surprised unbelief, but after report upon report confirmed the fact, I thought, "Well, here it is at last, but where do we go from here? In particular, where do we Nisei go from here?"

Says Use Common Sense

In response to such a question I suppose a sociological should have some words of counsel to offer, but I find only the dictates of commonsense, the same thoughts that must arise in the minds of every Nisei who has felt the pulse of political life about him, filling my own mind. I need not mention the role which the Nisei must take as loyal citizens of a nation at war. Obviously, the part is not an easy one to play, for as the list of American casualties grows increasingly long, we must expect that some elements of the American populace will make us the target of their vengeful outbursts.

Knowing the sensitivity of the Nisei personality, which is incidentally a mighty desirable quality, I imagine the series of impacts will leave many of us emotionally ragged. In this connection, it should be noted that there is nothing that better gives psychological stability to a person, even in the fact of adversity, than persistent concentration upon a single set of worthy purposes.

Would Join With Others

Perhaps no more worthy purpose can be singled out in the present situation than of joining as completely as possible with others in striving for the downfall of dictatorial controls.

To the extent that we participate in this common effort we shall undoubtedly call forth the best elements of democratic idealism in the American people, which is after all a deeply ingrained characteristic of these people, and thus reduce the possibility of friction with the majority group.

Must Assume New Role

There is a new role which has been added to the functions of the Nisei in consequence of the war. Heretofore, the Nisei have been dependent in more or less degree upon the Issei for economic as well as moral leadership. The sweeping restrictions placed upon the economic function of the Issei, however, have produced a considerable reversal of position. For us Nisei, by and large, it means one assumption of a role to which we are unaccustomed, and for which our experience is comparatively limited. It means the assumption of responsibilities to an extent that we had not assumed it before.

Human beings are not transformed in their modes of behavior overnight, and we may expect that the Nisei will find their new situation somewhat overwhelming.

Problem Has Its Answer

There is nothing which the Nisei cannot do which any other group has done if the situation is met with intelligence. Intelligence means at least two things: the clear recognition of all the existing problems, and a logical analysis of the appropriate mode of attack. To accomplish these ends it is necessary to have access to adequate information and experience related to the problem, but there are very few problems for which such resources are not available. As a practical technique it may be desirable to jot down the main ideas that enter one's mind concerning these problems, and carefully think through all the contingencies involved.

Regardless of what may be said against the Issei during the present crisis, they have undoubtedly trained us Nisei well in the ways of intelligent citizenship, and we should strive to use that training to the utmost.