Philadelphia is once again in the spotlight as discussions emerge regarding a historical marker for a now-demolished hostel that provided refuge for Japanese Americans during World War II.
The initiative, led by Robert Buscher, Connor Nakamura, and the University City Historical Society, seeks to shine a light on the city’s legacy of compassion amid a turbulent time in American history.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes along the West Coast, forcing them into incarceration camps.
This dark chapter in U.S. history severely infringed upon the rights of Japanese Americans, stripping many families of their homes and wealth, while imposing significant hardships on their communities.
In Philadelphia, reactions to this order were polarized. While some in the city supported the forced relocation, as echoed by Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Ivan Peterman who derisively termed Japanese Americans as “transplanted Orientals,” others vehemently opposed the policy.
Within this dissenting faction, a small yet vital community of Quakers emerged, advocating for justice and opposing the internment policy.
Notable figures like Henry Patterson, a civil rights activist and Philadelphian, joined the War Relocation Authority (WRA) to influence policy changes from within.
Additionally, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), based in Philadelphia, provided aid such as food and resources for the displaced Japanese Americans.
Buscher highlighted how individual Philadelphians resisted the injustices faced by their Japanese American friends, with figures like Edward G. Budd, a wartime contractor, risking his livelihood to advocate for his employee, Penn graduate Yosuke Watanbe Nakano.
Efforts to support Japanese Americans extended beyond simple opposition to their displacement; there were coordinated plans to facilitate their relocation.
In May 1942, the AFSC played a crucial role in establishing the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council, which helped students escape the camps by allowing them to attend colleges including Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr.
Their experiences were often transformative. For example, George Inouye, in a heartfelt letter to his parents, expressed gratitude for the opportunities and friendships made during his time at Swarthmore, affirming his belief in a divine presence looking out for them.
In total, many Japanese Americans chose Philadelphia as their new home after the war, benefiting from the integration initiated during this tumultuous period.
The WRA’s aim to sectorize and resettle Japanese Americans led to the establishment of an office in Philadelphia in July 1943, with Henry Patterson heading operations.
Faced with the need to construct a supportive environment for those released from camps, Philadelphians, including Quakers and various community groups, banded together to devise a plan for a hostel.
On August 16, 1943, a gathering of representatives from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, The Philadelphia Federation of Churches, and other influential entities convened in Patterson’s office to orchestrate this effort.
The chosen chair for this initiative was artist Henry Lee Willet, who had to be cautious about media exposure due to anticipated backlash.
It wasn’t long before their concerns were validated; shortly after their meeting, a congressional committee criticized the WRA, and protests against the agency spread distrust around Japanese Americans.
The group encountered significant obstacles including neighborhood objections, which led to delays in securing a lease.
In a letter from February 1944, Mildred Scott Olmsted detailed the group’s struggles in finding a suitable location due to hostility towards a boarding house specifically for Japanese Americans.
Ultimately, they secured the 3228 Chestnut Street location, favorably located near 30th Street Station and the Baltimore–Ohio Railroad, intending to ease Japanese Americans’ reintegration into Philadelphia.
Katherine Arnett, a leading peace activist, took charge of furnishing and preparing the hostel for opening.
Her connections with various faith communities and organizations facilitated the necessary groundwork to support the initiative.
Finally, in April 1944, the hostel officially opened its doors.
The arrival of Japanese Americans was notably eased by the support of the local African American community, who played a crucial role during this period.
Pastor William Stevenson, an African American leader, extended an invitation for Japanese Americans to join his congregation, emphasizing shared experiences of racial prejudice.
Buscher noted that many individuals in proximity to the hostel understood the internment of Japanese Americans as rooted in systemic racism perpetuated by government decisions.
To strengthen community ties, an African American choir performed at the hostel, fostering fellowship and marking the hospitality extended to newcomers.
The choice of staffing for the hostel further contributed to its warmth and supportive environment.
The Inouye family, who had their own experience of being uprooted from Sacramento, took on roles as caretakers at the hostel, providing nurturing support to residents.
Buscher described Saburo and Michiyo Inouye as comforting figures, akin to ‘house parents’ for those coming through the hostel.
Eventually, the Inouye family became permanent residents of Philadelphia and were celebrated for their contributions to both the Japanese American community and the support of many local students.
Personal accounts from those who passed through the hostel underscore its significance.
Grayce Uyehara, a South Jersey resident, recounted how her experience at the Philadelphia Hostel marked a pivotal moment in her life, igniting her passion for advocating for the Japanese American community.
Herb Horikawa reflected on forming friendships within the Philadelphia Japanese American community, including connections made at the hostel.
By the end of the hostel’s operation, over 1,100 Japanese Americans had passed through its doors, growing Philadelphia’s Japanese American population exponentially.
Post-war efforts saw Willet assisting the Inouye family in acquiring property to continue their operations, ultimately forgiving part of the loan.
Despite the eventual destruction of the hostel during urban development in West Philadelphia, the recent movement to establish a historical marker seeks to commemorate the compassion shown by Philadelphians during a time of great injustice.
If approved, the marker will serve as a testament to the city’s commitment to aiding displaced Americans and a reminder of a collective humanitarian effort in the face of adversity.
image source from：hiddencityphila
