Founded in 1929, the JACL is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. The JACL monitors and responds to issues that enhance or threaten the civil and human rights of all Americans and implements strategies to effect positive social change, particularly to the Asian Pacific American community.
The JACL and the Japanese American community are continuously affected by changes in the political environment and in demographics. Our society continues to be impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, which created a worldwide climate of uncertainty and insecurity where we must reconcile the proper balance between issues of national security and our civil liberties. We are also affected by the changing demographics of race, ethnicity and age.
Looking to our future, the JACL constantly assesses the effectiveness of its role in Japanese American, Asian Pacific American and civil rights communities, and what infrastructure is necessary to effectively support our mission and efficiently achieve our goals. Today, with inter-racial and multi-ethnic marriages changing the face of the Japanese American community, the JACL faces additional challenges in looking to its future and to the future of the Japanese American community.
Following the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans from the West Coast during World War II, many Nikkei (emigrants and their descendants) relocated to the Midwest to get a fresh start. For the most part, those who came to Dayton, Ohio, were welcomed into the community. Leaders of the Council of Churches helped Japanese Americans find housing and jobs. In 1949, the Dayton chapter of the JACL was organized. It was important for these folks to come together frequently for mutual support and help with adjustment to life in the Midwest.
On a side note, the Dayton JACL is a founding group of “A World A’Fair,” Dayton’s International Festival. Shortly after the chapter was created, JACL was befriended by the program director of the Dayton YWCA, who invited them to regularly meet in its facilities. Later, the JACL wished to share their culture and raise funds. They sponsored a “Tea House in August Moon” event at the YWCA, sparking much interest. Within a few years, JACL joined with several other ethnic groups to co-found the international festival that is now called “A World A’Fair.”
Recent Activities
Dayton JACL is a co-sponsor of the annual three-day “A World A’Fair,” now in its 48th year, with a total of 34 countries represented. It is one of the largest events in the Greater Dayton community. We also participate with the Dayton Sister Cities Committee. In 2019, the City of Dayton and Oiso, Japan, celebrated 50 years of its Sister Cities Relationship with an anniversary dinner and public celebration.
In 2019, with the support of a JACL Legacy Grant, we brought the exhibit “Connecting the Pieces: Dialogues on the Amache Archaeology Collection” to the Main Dayton Metro Library. Dr. Bonnie Clark of the University of Denver confirmed that “Culture and Humanity Can Prevail Over Prejudice and Injustice” as it did during the incarceration of Japanese Americans at the Amache concentration camp.
Also in 2019, Dayton JACL hosted Karen Korematsu, who presented “Fred Korematsu and His Fight for Justice” at Wright State University, University of Dayton Law School and Sinclair Community College. The theme of an ordinary person standing up for civil rights is as relevant today as it was nearly eighty years ago.
JACL works closely with other Asian American and ethnic communities to promote understanding and appreciation through an Asian American Council. We speak out against hate groups and injustice experienced by Muslims and immigrants. We partner with other organizations that promote inclusion like the Dayton International Peace Museum. We also participate in an Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Day at the State Capitol in Columbus.
As we look to the future, Dayton JACL will continue to serve a vital role in increasing understanding, fostering better relations, showing appreciation of our cultural heritage and passing these along to future generations.
We educate our Nikkei friends and the wider community of the significant history, contributions and experiences of Japanese Americans. And we continue to address injustice when it lifts its ugly head, joining with others who share our values.