"Our ultimate objective in learning about anything is to try to create and develop a more just society."
- YURI KOCHIYAMA
- YURI KOCHIYAMA | 7 ARTS CORE
REMEMBERING YURI KOCHIYAMA
Yuri Kochiyama (May 19, 1921 – June 1, 2014) was a tireless political activist who dedicated her life to contributing to social change through her participation in social justice and human rights movements. Kochiyama’s activism started in Harlem in the early 1960s, where she participated in the Asian American, Black, and Third World movements for civil and human rights, ethnic studies, and against the war in Vietnam. She was a fixture in support movements involving organizations such as the Young Lords and the Harlem Community for Self Defense. As founder of Asian Americans for Action, she also sought to build a more political Asian American movement that would link itself to the struggle for Black liberation. “Racism has placed all ethnic peoples in similar positions of oppression poverty and marginalization.” In 1963, she met Malcolm X. Their friendship and political alliance changed her life and outlook. She joined his group, the Organization for Afro-American Unity, to work for racial justice and human rights. Yuri was present on the day he was tragically shot and killed in 1965. In the Life magazine article “Death of Malcolm X,” she can be seen crouched in the background, cradling Malcolm X’s head.
[Excerpt from ZINNED PROJECT]
- YURI KOCHIYAMA & MALCOM X | SUSHMITA ARORA
YUR KOCHIYAMA: (L) A MAGAZINE; (R) FAIR USE IMAGE
UNDERSTANDING THE ASIAN-AMERICAN REALITY
WHAT TO READ AND WATCH
NATIVE SPEAKER
By Chang-rae Lee
AMERICA IS IN THE HEART
By Carlos Bulosan
PASSING IT ON
By Yuri Kochiyama
INTERSECTIONALITY
By Patricia Collins & Sirma Bilge
The concept of intersectionality is a relatively new concept to penetrate our understanding of discrimination and issues of bias. This book sheds a lot of light on it.
WOMEN, RACE & CLASS
By Angela Davis
A powerful overview of the women's liberation movement in the United States from the perspective of a renowned activist and central figure in the fight against racism.
SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE
By Ijeoma Oluo
A great breakdown of the racial landscape in America that tackles a host of issues from privilege and police brutality, to intersectionality and micro-aggressions.