View XML QR Code

Japanese American Citizens League photograph collection, 1935-1990

Overview of the Collection

Title
Japanese American Citizens League photograph collection
Dates
1935-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
59 photographic prints ; sizes vary
131 negatives ; 35mm
186 color slides ; 35mm
Collection Number
PH0732
Summary
Group photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members at conventions, photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members and Japanese community members at official events and social events
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Background

The Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) served as the voice of the Nisei (second generation Japanese community) in the Seattle area. The members (primarily professionals) tended to be proud of their American citizenship, and aimed to promote good citizenship and active participation in civic life. Organized in 1921 as Seattle Progressive Citizens' League, it became the Seattle Chapter of JACL in 1930.

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Seattle Chapter met to organize an Emergency Defense Council composed of the presidents of many Nisei organizations. When incarceration in internment camps became inevitable, the Seattle Chapter began to cooperate with the War Relocation Authority in organizing the movement of Japanese citizens to the Puyallup Assembly Center (Camp Harmony). James Sakamoto, Chairman of the Emergency Defense Council, became Chief Supervisor of the Japanese staff at the Puyllup Assembly Center.

The Seattle Chapter was inactive during the period immediately following the war, but was formally reactivated in 1948. During the 1950s and 1960s, the JACL became involved in civil and human rights issues. Seattle Chapter members participated in the statewide effort to eliminate the 1899 Alien Land Law from the Washington state constitution. The Alien Land Law prohibited Asians from owning land. In 1966, SJR 20 passed as an amendment to the constitution.

In 1962, the seventeenth national JACL Biennial Convention was held in Seattle.

Return to Top

Content Description

Photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members at conventions and other events, Japanese American community events and celebrations, and other Japanese American organizations such as the Young People's Christian Conference.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format.

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Ryan Chin, 2011-06-20.

Processing Note

Processed by Clare Tally-Foos, 2013; processing completed by Elizabeth Russell and Elizabeth Wessells, 2016.

Separated Materials

Separated from Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Chapter records, MSS Collection #0217 .

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

 


2008 (Last modified: 9/27/2024)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West