The Japanese American Citizens League
The JACL, Japanese American Citizens League, was founded by Jimmie Sakamoto. Sakamoto was
a "fun loving, hard drinking, hard driving Nisei prizefighter" from Seattle who had a vision
of a coast wide alliance (Nisei, 194). On January 1, 1928 he published the first issue of
"The Japanese American Courier," calling for the reorganizaton of the old Seattle
Progressive Citizens League. Instead of fighting against discrimination, which was the reason
for the Progressive Citizens League, Sakamoto believed "instead of worrying about anti-
Japanese activity or legislation, we must exert our efforts to building the abilities and
charter of the second generation so they will become loyal and useful citizens who, someday,
will make their contribution to the greatness of American life."
The JACL was established to meet the needs of Nisei (second generation) business and
professional people who wanted to claim their American identitiy. The JACL focused on
being enterprising and on self help as opposed to being confrontational. Sakamoto insisted,
"agitation begets agitation and this can never lead to the best results." He went on to
further say that "self improvement, not political demands, should be the Nisei approach
(Issei and Nisei, 110). The JACL started to take hold between 1930 and 1940 as the
the organization grew from 8 to 50 chapters and up to 5, 600 due-paying members
(Issei and Nisei, 110). Yet the biggest test of the JACL leadership occurred during
the internment period.
One of the major conflicts between the JACL and it's opponents revolved around selective
service. Should the JACL, at this point in history, demand the right to military
service for Japanese Americans? If so, should the JACL seek restoration of selective
service responsibilities, or should the JACL endorse the idea of Nisei volunteers for
military service? The following section will include parts of an actual discussion that
Mike Masaoka, the JACL national secretary and opponents had on this issue.
Mike Masaoka
The National JACL has always insisted upon our treatment as equal partners in the war
effort with every other American. We believe that we are entitled to share in the
good things of democracy just as much as we should share in the sacrifices and the
heartaches of our country. Even before evacuation took place, when it appeared that
some of the Selective Service boards were not accepting Nisei's on the same basis as other
Americans, we protested indignantly. Being deprived of the right to serve our country
in the armed forces today, we are being deprived of our biggest chance to prove to
those who are skeptical that our loyalty is as great as that of any other group.
Somewhere on the field of battle, in the baptism of blood, we and our comrades must
prove to all in question that we are ready and willing to die for the one country we
know and pledge allegiance to.
Opponent
To begin with, the Navy and Marines had a policy of not accepting Nisei even before
Pearl Harbor. And the Army had demanded evacuation and then carried it out. Shortly
after Pearl Harbor the Selective Service System had changed the classification of all
Nisei to 4C--aliens not subject to military service--thus imposing on them a blanket
exemption from the draft. The Nisei had resented discriminatory treatment deeply. On
top of this, many Nisei already in uniform had been released from active service by
transfer to the Enlisted Reserve Corp for the convenience of the government--a transparent
euphemism for being kicked out. No explanation was ever given; the names of Nisei GI's
(most of them kibei, born in the United States and educated in Japan) had been posted
without warning as Army installations along the Pacific Coast and the next day they were on
their way home. Other Nisei who remained with their outfits found themselves on
permanent K.P. or yard detail, stuck with the most menial jobs. When their buddies
were shipped overseas, the Nisei were transferred to other units. Now Masaoka has
urged the delegates to overlook this discrimination, overlook the fact that their people
had been locked up, ignore all this and petition that these same people be conscripted
to go out and fight for freedom. Masaoka's proposal is ridiculous and unrealistic, the Nisei
have every right to enjoy exemption from the draft since the government has made it
plain that we are not wanted.
Mike Masaoka's Ending Statement
I have come to the inescapable conclusion that this matter of Selective Service is the
cornerstone of our future in this country. Perhaps we may be somewhat short-sighted
today in the view of what we have gone through, but let me ask you to think of your
future--and that of your children and your children's children. When the war is won and
we are asked, "Say, buddy, what did you do in the war?" If we cannot answer that our job is
not done. We need Selective Service, the least we can do is to ask for it.
Summary
The JACL was a group whose primary motivation was to help the Japanese American community
better assimilate into American society. In the beginning, they represented the minority
Nisei community. They believed they could make an impact on America by showing their loyalty
and trustworthiness to the government, even though it meant agreeing to mass evacuation
and internment. The JACL believed that by acting 110% super-American they could relieve
tension between themselves and the rest of the community.
Alex Hong
Anson Leong
Jean Wang
Eric Yasui
