Yuri Kochiyama (1921-2014)

Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American human rights activist. She was involved in numerous social justice movements ranging from civil rights, the anti-war movement, and nuclear disarmament. Yuri Kochiyama was a close friend and ally of Malcolm X. She was born in  San Pedro. At the time California was notoriously anti-Asian. White farmers were vexed with the presence of Japanese farmers whom they considered a threat. Anti-Japanese sentiment reached an apex when the US and the Japanese Empire went to war. Yuri Kochiyama was put into the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas. After being released she married and moved to New York City. There she began a life of activism.  

      Yuri Kochiyama met Malcolm X in 1963 and this changed her ideological direction. She became interested in black nationalism and devoted her efforts in the civil rights struggle. During this time she was involved with the Harlem Parents Committee. This organization fought for the integration of New York's public schools and reducing crime in the community. Her residence in Harlem became an organizing point for various activists. Yuri Kochiyama worked with the Freedom Riders. She also was active in the anti-war movement denouncing US war crimes in Vietnam. She was determined to fight racism in American society and got involved with Latino, Asian, and Native American causes. Yuri Kochiyama also was responsible for forcing the US government to compensate former Japanese  American internees.  The American Civil Liberties Act was singed into law in 1988. This allowed for a path way for compensation for Japanese Americans who had their constitutional rights violated in the 1940s. Kochiyama inspired generations of activists of various backgrounds, proving change is possible if you are willing to fight for it.  

Further Reading

Wang, Hansi. "Yuri Kochiyama,  "Activist and Former World War II Internee, Dies At 93." NPR.

          2014.  15 May.2015 < http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/24/06/02/318072652/japanese-

           american-activist-and-malcolm-x-ally-dies-at-93>.

Kazuyo, Tsuchiya. "Kochiyama, Yuri (1921-2014)." www.blackpast.org. University of Washington, Seattle, 8 Sept. 2014. Web. 5 May 2015. <http://www.blackpast.org/aah/kochiyama-yuri-1921>.