A professor from Illinois College has collaborated on a research project examining MacMurray College’s involvement during World War II, particularly regarding the transfer of female Japanese American students to continue their studies.
The scientists discovered that how students who were moved presented themselves contributed to the concept of Asian Americans as a “model minority.”
The model minority myth is a stereotype suggesting that all individuals from a specific background are inherently more intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated, leading to greater academic, social, and financial success compared to others, as stated by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Learning for Justice.
Jaclyn Tabor, a sociology instructor at Illinois College, collaborated with Jennifer C. Lee and Tiffanie Vo from Indiana University in Bloomington to examine the application records of 14 Japanese American students who enrolled at MacMurray College shortly before and during World War II.
Supported by the MacMurray Foundation and Alumni Association, along with the Jacksonville Area Museum, I have co-written a study that looks at the college applications of Japanese American and White women from the 1930s and 1940s — documents saved in the archives of MacMurray College,” Tabor stated. “Our research reveals how these young women portrayed themselves as ‘model citizens’ during the challenging period of World War II, helping to shape what would later be recognized as the ‘model minority’ stereotype of Asian Americans.
The study, “Model Students, Model Citizens: Narratives of Japanese American Students, 1930s–1940s” has been released by the American Sociological Association’s journal “Sociology of Race and Ethnicity.”
The research looked at the college applications of Japanese American students, alongside those of white students, from each year during the war.
As per the research, from 1942 to 1944, five Nisei students from California and Washington applied to MacMurray College as part of the WWII Student Relocation Program. An additional 14 students came from Hawaii — seven before the country joined the war (from 1937 to 1941) and seven between 1942 and 1947.
At that time, young Japanese men were joining the military to avoid being sent to camps, while women were signing up as students in the relocation initiative. To enhance their security, they attempted to appear as exemplary citizens.
Using a group of 19 Japanese American students — eight of whom did not submit college essays — along with 44 randomly chosen white students, the research examined application essays and found that those
Each student received the prompt, “Create a brief story about yourself: your family life, school experiences, personal achievements (including “earning” related experiences), free time activities, and travel. Which of all your accomplishments, whether in or outside of school, has brought you the most personal fulfillment? What is your goal in attending college?”
In their examination of the personal essays, the researchers discovered that Japanese American students portrayed idyllic childhoods, whereas white students frequently described their backgrounds as “average” or “typical.”
They also discovered that eight, approximately 57%, of Japanese American students emphasized “greater good” motivations for pursuing higher education, whereas 43.9% mentioned self-centered objectives, like financial security and job stability.
On the other hand, all white student applicants emphasized self-serving motivations for their application.
It was these students who contributed to shaping the perception of the typical Asian American as diligent and academic, according to the research, resulting in those stereotypes present in today’s society.
“The results not only enhance our comprehension of gender and race in mid-20th century America, but also highlight the significance of local educational institutions — such as MacMurray — in influencing both personal destinies and national stories,” Tabor stated.
Tabor mentioned that examining the school’s role in the program helped link Jacksonville to a significant period in history.
Importantly, the study links Jacksonville to a significant period in U.S. history: the WWII Student Relocation Program, a government effort that allowed Japanese American students to enroll in colleges in the Midwest and East while their families were detained in internment camps,” Tabor said. “MacMurray College was one of the few schools that took in these students, making Jacksonville part of an obscure yet impactful national narrative.
