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NEW DAWN RISING History and Summation of the Japan Town Collective (7 of 7)
Just before that period of time, I had left the organization in early 1974. I was turned off from the harshness of the internal struggle. People seemed to turn on one another, questioning people's commitment, making heavy demands and having a tone of self-righteousness and self-importance. It is my opinion that since the JTC leadership and group as a whole was unable and/or unwilling to deal with its lack of political and theoretical development that it turned inward and internal struggle became very dysfunctional. People started accusing one another of not being committed or sacrificing enough. Things got crazy and harsh. However, the JTC did leave a bold legacy in the San Francisco Japanese American community, from its opposition to the U.S.-Japan Treaty that allowed American military bases in Okinawa, to fighting redevelopment of the historic Nihonmachi community, to staging guerilla theater in the J-Town mall to educate the masses in the community. Despite its problems and implosion, in its short-lived history, it represented a revolutionary, organized expression among young Japanese American radicals to fight for the community as part of identifying with a larger, global anti-imperialist and revolutionary movement.
After two years in the Japan Town Collective, I left to join I Wor Kuen, which became the League of Revolutionary Struggle. In 1986 I eventually left the LRS due to a combination of reasons. My commitment was fading. I was dealing with the difficulties of raising kids, and I couldn't keep up with the demands of being in a cadre organization. I also no longer believed that a communist organization in the U.S. at that time was viable, but I think I mostly suffered from a loss of my idealism. Today, I still believe in many of the principles from that time, the need for a revolutionary core to give guidance and leadership to the mass organizations and struggles even though I personally may not be in a position or capable of participating. But I believe it's important to uphold the legacy of this period and to understand the lessons, the difficulties and problems.
