James Kent thesis

Collection — Container: Mendez v. Westminster Box 2, Folder: 9

Identifier: 2010-004-r

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains an original second copy of a 1941 master's thesis titled "Segregation of Mexican school children in Southern California." It was written by James L. Kent while attending the University of Oregon in 1940. Kent was the Superintendant of Garden Grove School District during the Mendez v. Westminster trial of 1946, and his research in the thesis was introduced as evidence by the Mendez et al. attorney, David Marcus. It was used against Kent and the Orange County schools as it showed the racist attitudes of school administration officers. Kent testified that he considered Mexican-American children inferior and believed that Mexican-American children should not attend all-white schools, regardless of their intellectual abilities.

This collection also contains a letter from Katy Lenn from the University of Oregon, explaining that the thesis is a second copy that was de-accessioned from the University of Oregon's Knight Library.

Dates

1940 - 1941

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Extent

.08 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains an original (second) copy of James Kent's master's thesis from the University of Oregon. The thesis is titled "Segregation of Mexican school children in Southern California" and the research was used as evidence against him and the Orange County schools during the Mendez v. Westminster trial.

Physical Location

Leatherby Libraries, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Knight Library at the University of Oregon. Donated by Katy Lenn on behalf of the Knight Library. (De-accessioned from the University of Oregon's Knight Library.)