Support from the non-Japanese American community

During mass removal and incarceration, Japanese Americans received outside support and assistance from religious organizations, civil rights groups, and other concerned individuals. The American Friends Service Committee was one of the most active groups to help the Japanese American community during World War II. Committee members donated educational materials to the camp schools and libraries and were influential in persuading the government to allow Nisei to leave the camps for colleges in the interior of the country. Ministers, peace activists and other supporters of the Japanese American community often visited the camps and spoke out publicly against the incarceration. Church groups across the country also organized clothing and food drives for the camp inmates.

World War II (231)
Support from the non-Japanese American community (447)

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447 items

doc Letter from Rose Tani to Rev. Miller, 1942 May 10 (ddr-csujad-20-17)

Vociferous indictment of the Ladies aid of the Methodist Church for holding a luncheon picnic for "Japanese leaving Santa Anita," and similar efforts, stating that such overtures to "entertain enemies of their native land" are "traitor[ous]" and "disgrace the good sense of American woman hood." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-17/

doc Letter from An American Mother to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 2, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-1/

doc Letter from the Suzuki's to Rev. and Mrs. Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-13)

Letter from the Suzuki's to Rev. and Mrs. Miller regarding recent happenings at the Santa Anita Assembly Center. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_14

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-13/

doc Letter from Lester Suzuki to Brother [Wendell L.] Miller, May 4, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-3)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Temporary Assembly Center and describing early days there, including lack of regular work and schooling schedules and of appropriate food for children; scouts and boys' clubs being in development; religious services on Sundays attracting nearly 2000 people; and the need to wait for community facilities such as laundry and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-3/

doc Letter from T. Takahashi and Family to Rev. Wendell L. Miller, May 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-5)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center; thanks Miller for his "kind treatment and wonderful assistance in our evacuation" and mentions that his or her mother is now recovering with them after suffering from worry and tiredness. Takahashi states that their life was previously too materialistic, and that this is a "God-given opportunity ... …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-5/

doc Letter from Lester Suzuki to Mrs. Miller, 1942 May 5 (ddr-csujad-20-18)

Letter from Lester Suzuki to Mrs. Miller wishing her a speedy recovery and thanking her for letting Mr. Miller help them in many ways. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_18

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-18/

doc Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)

Personal letter states that she is going to Jerome, Arkansas rather than to Granada, a change that pleases her because "there's a certain someone in Jerome - We're both so very happy"; also mentions passes for Miller [and Mrs. Miller?] as well as for the Reverend and Mrs. Clay, and asks that Miller help her by …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-7/

doc Letter from George K. Sakai, 1942 May 4 (ddr-csujad-20-14)

Letter from George Sakai to United Methodist Church regarding address information for a mutual friend. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_13

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-14/

doc Letter from Rose Tani to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-8)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center expressing gratitude for Miller's having allowed them to store goods at his church; also thanks Miller and Reverend Clay for the lunch prepared by church members, and describes church services for Issei and for Nisei. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-8/

doc Letter from Rosalie Y. Obi to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, 1942 June 17 (ddr-csujad-20-9)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center expressing thanks to Miller and his congregation for the lunch that they provided on the day of their removal from Los Angeles, departing from the Japanese Methodist Church, May 1, 1942. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WLM_01-46_07

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-9/

doc Letter from Geo. Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell] Miller, September 22, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-10)

Personal letter written en route to Granada, Colorado from the Temporary Assembly Center at Santa Anita, describing the train ride thus far, one day into their journey. Included are a description of the food, the terrain in Utah, where they have currently made a stop, and the train itself, a Pullman with two cars out of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-10/

doc Letter from Mrs. L. [Lester] Suzuki to Rev. [Wendell L.] and Mrs. [?] Miller, May 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-4)

Personal letter written from the Santa Anita Assembly Center. Suzuki thanks Reverend Miller and Mrs. Miller for their kindness; mentions friends among the "dear Caucasian ministers such as you"; and discusses the importance of religious services, housing in a new barrack vs. in the stables, making furniture from scrap wood, an impending increase in number of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-4/

doc Postcard to brother Wendell Millermura [Wendell L. Miller], 1942 May 6 (ddr-csujad-20-2)

Backside of postcard with cartoon of U.S. plane bombing Tokyo and an angry Japanese citizen reacting, saying "Ho! You cannot do this to me! I am the son of heaven! What the hell?" Postcard is addressed to "My dear brother Wendell Millermura" and describes the writer as "a member of the Christian Church," asking Miller, "Where …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-20-2/

doc Giri: kodomo no tame ni = For the sake of the children (ddr-csujad-23-1)

Interview transcripts from oral histories with Sonoma County Japanese American families. Conducted by Sonoma County JACL Oral History Project. The book was published in 2003. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: lp041-01-012

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-23-1/

doc Card from Miss Eleanor M. Dougherty, Supervisor for pre-school, to Mitzi Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-388)

A Christmas greeting card from Miss Eleanor M. Dougherty in Montana to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara. It was probably sent to Mitzi while she was incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 23. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_24_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-388/

doc Card from M. Davis to Mitzi Naohara, March 31, 1945 (ddr-csujad-38-383)

An Easter card from Miss M. Davis in Fremont, Ohio to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 20. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_21_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-383/

img Poston school teacher, Barbara Washler (ddr-csujad-38-175)

Photographed is Barbara Washler, a high school teacher at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Poston school teacher, Barbara Washler. Title from caption. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 3. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_03_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-175/

doc Card from Hazel Irene Rodgers to Mitzi Naohara, April 25, 1943 (ddr-csujad-38-404)

An Easter card from Hazel Irene Rodgers of Indianapolis, Indiana. It was mailed to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. It appears that Hazel Irene Rodgers is affiliated with church and supporting Mitzi in teaching in a nursery in the camp. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 31. See this …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-404/

doc American refugees (ddr-csujad-48-47)

American refugees, June 1942. Appeal opposing the Japanese American mass removal from the U.S. west coast. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: ecm_wells_0047

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-48-47/

doc Letter from Roy E. Weaver to Tsuneo Iwata, April 21, 1942 (ddr-csujad-46-18)

Letter of gratitude from Roy E. Weaver, president of First National Bank, Turlock California, to Tsuneo Iwata, president of Turlock Social Club, in regards to mass removal. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csus_nac_0018

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-46-18/

doc College summer service in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-18-5)

Call for college students to meet a "desperate need" by serving as group work leaders supporting community activities, arts and recreation, church vacation Bible schools, and boys and girls clubs in either the Gila River or Manzanar Incarceration Camp; flier states that such service would provide the students with the opportunity to "serve significantly in these …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-18-5/

doc Suggestions for resolutions about evacuees of Japanese ancestry (ddr-csujad-18-4)

Presents arguments and supporting "data" to assert that the claim that "America is a white man's country" is "un-American"; that the Government must make a greater effort to supply housing and financial aid for people who are resettling; that those opposing resettlement are "making a mockery of our war aim to ensure justice and freedom"; and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-18-4/

doc Invitation to freedom - A proposal for a program of liberal adult education (ddr-csujad-18-1)

Detailed proposal for an "adult education system for the Japanese relocation project at Poston, Arizona"; the author credits the American Friends Service Committee for financial support for research and a trial of the plan. Sections of the report include "Background at Poston"; "Foreground of the Problem"; "The Great Books"; "The Seminar"; "The Schedule and Organization"; "The …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-18-1/

doc Final audit of National Japanese American Student Relocation Council (ddr-csujad-18-3)

A report regarding closing operations of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council. The report covers from May 1, 1946 to June 30, 1946, and regards "the Council's operations during the closing two month period." Topics addressed include financial statements and various aspects of closing operations, including Council staff; treatment of mail; enrollment and referral of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-18-3/

doc Letter from Michi Weglyn to [Frank Chin], April 14, 1998 (ddr-csujad-24-54)

A letter from Michi Weglyn, probably to Frank Chin. Weglyn writes that she is researching the "Santa Anita incident," presumably the disturbance at the Santa Anita Assembly Center on August 9, 1942. She also writes that the Chinese were the most welcoming to the Japanese returning to Los Angeles at the end of World War II. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-24-54/