Responses of non-Japanese Americans

The reactions of non-Japanese friends, neighbors and classmates were mixed. Some turned their heads and refused to recognize their former friends. Others believed the government propaganda and became outright hostile. Still others helped their Japanese American neighbors by storing belongings and driving them to the places where they were to be picked up. Perhaps only a handful of people understood the true implications of the course of events.

World War II (277)
Pearl Harbor and aftermath (298)
Responses of non-Japanese Americans (184)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Asian American response to incarceration, Jewish response to incarceration

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184 items
Tom Akashi Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-164-12)
vh Tom Akashi Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-164-12)
Returning to school after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, getting in fights with other students over racist name-calling
Mas Akiyama Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-188-12)
vh Mas Akiyama Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-188-12)
Observations of changes within Spokane community after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

This interview was conducted as part of a project to capture stories of the Japanese American community of Spokane, Washington. Densho worked in collaboration with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

David R. Boyd - Marietta Boyd Gruner Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-419-6)
vh David R. Boyd - Marietta Boyd Gruner Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-419-6)
Bringing athletic equipment to the Japanese Americans at the Puyallup Assembly Center
Floyd Schmoe Interview I Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1000-83-2)
vh Floyd Schmoe Interview I Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1000-83-2)
Setting up an American Friends Service Committee office at the onset of war to try and "prevent the internment"

In this interview Mr. Schmoe refers to Aki Kurose, a former employee, fellow Quaker, peace activist, and long-time friend. At the time of this interview, Ms. Kurose had recently passed away after a long struggle with cancer. …

Marion Tsutakawa Kanemoto Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-148-16)
vh Marion Tsutakawa Kanemoto Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1000-148-16)
Memories of the bombing of Pearl Harbor: mother's fear of deportation, parents' "demeanor was so different"
Akiko Kurose Interview I Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-41-13)
vh Akiko Kurose Interview I Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-41-13)
"I no longer felt I was an equal American": reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Cherry Kinoshita Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-34-5)
vh Cherry Kinoshita Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-34-5)
Being questioned by the FBI over the family's short wave radio
Cherry Kinoshita Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-34-6)
vh Cherry Kinoshita Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-34-6)
Feeling "suspect" because of community atmosphere following the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Mary Kageyama Nomura Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-255-13)
vh Mary Kageyama Nomura Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-255-13)
Hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor; attending school afterwards
Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-107-11)
vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-107-11)
Ostracization by classmates following bombing of Pearl Harbor: "I'm still bitter"
Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-53-18)
vh Henry Miyatake Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-53-18)
Principal addresses curfew and other restrictions at a school assembly
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-250-11)
vh Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga Interview II Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-250-11)
Experiencing prejudice in school following the bombing of Pearl Harbor: "At that point, I was mad at Japan"
Cookie Takeshita Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-465-6)
vh Cookie Takeshita Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-465-6)
Hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor, remembering the kindness of the school principal
Mits Takahashi Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-207-10)
vh Mits Takahashi Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-207-10)
Impact of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on father's gardening business
Setsu Tsuboi Tanemura Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-266-13)
vh Setsu Tsuboi Tanemura Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-266-13)
School principal writes a supportive letter for Japanese Americans following the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Martha Nishitani Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-71-12)
vh Martha Nishitani Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-71-12)
Refused service on a public bus after the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-42-6)
vh Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-42-6)
Reaction of non-Japanese Americans to the bombing of Pearl Harbor: mixed responses

Mrs. Kurose was undergoing treatment for cancer and required frequent breaks and medication to help her with pain management.

Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-42-5)
vh Akiko Kurose Interview II Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-42-5)
Attending school the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

Mrs. Kurose was undergoing treatment for cancer and required frequent breaks and medication to help her with pain management.

Jimi Yamaichi Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-106-3)
vh Jimi Yamaichi Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-106-3)
Events following Pearl Harbor: a Caucasian friend's tearful warning, and opportunistic farmers look to cash in on the mass removal
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