Asian American Activism: Honoring Past Leaders
Written by Zoe Pecson
Across the global Asian community, there is a long and diverse history of individuals and leaders who have made lasting contributions, spanning thousands of years. While the history of Asian Americans is more recent, it has been shaped by people who fought for a future rooted in equality and justice, creating opportunities that continue to impact us today.
This article highlights several Asian American figures whose activism reflects the ideals expressed in the U.S. Constitution that all people are “endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Through their work, these individuals pushed the nation to more fully extend these rights to Asian Americans and other marginalized communities.
Patsy Mink (1927 – 2002)
Patsy Mink, a Japanese American from Hawaii, was the first ever woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress. She is best known for co-authoring Title IX, which banned gender discrimination in education. Her work helped expand access to sports and academics for women across the country. As an Asian American woman, she pushed back against both racial and gender barriers, making her a major figure in civil rights and feminist movements.
Grace Lee Boggs (1915 – 2015)
Grace Lee Boggs was a Chinese American philosopher and activist who spent decades working in Detroit’s Black liberation and labor movements. She focused on community organizing and long-term social change, emphasizing relationships and grassroots activism. Her work shows how Asian American activism has often been deeply connected to broader struggles for racial and economic justice.
Eqbal Ahmad (1933 – 1999)
Eqbal Ahmad was a Pakistani political scientist, writer, and antiwar activist who taught at universities including Cornell and the University of Illinois and worked with the Institute for Policy Studies. He was a strong critic of the Vietnam War and an advocate for Palestinian autonomy, often connecting global struggles against war and imperialism. He was part of the Harrisburg Seven case, where activists were accused of conspiracy but not convicted. He continued writing and speaking on global justice until his death in 1999.
Yuri Kochiyama (1921 – 2014)
Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American activist known for her involvement in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. She worked closely with Malcolm X and supported political prisoners, anti-war efforts, and Asian American rights. Her activism highlights cross-racial solidarity and resistance to injustice.
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (1896 – 1966)
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese American suffragist who advocated for women’s right to vote in the early 1900s. She led a major suffrage parade in New York at just 16 years old. Ironically, due to racist laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, she could not vote herself. Her activism highlights the intersection of gender and racial discrimination in early U.S. history.
Philip Vera Cruz (1904 – 1994)
Philip Vera Cruz was a Filipino American labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers. He played a key role in organizing the Delano grape strike alongside César Chávez, helping lead Filipino farmworkers in a major labor movement that demanded fair wages, better working conditions, and union recognition in California’s agricultural industry. He fought for better wages and working conditions for farmworkers, bringing attention to Filipino contributions to labor activism.
Edward Said (1935 – 2003)
Edward Said was a Palestinian American scholar and activist best known for his book Orientalism. He challenged how the West portrays the East and advocated for Palestinian rights and independence. His work shaped how people understand culture, power, and representation, making him highly influential in both academia and activism.
Kiyoshi Kuromiya (1943 – 2000)
Kiyoshi Kuromiya was a Japanese American activist involved in civil rights, anti-war protests, LGBTQ+ liberation, and AIDS activism. He worked with ACT UP and created resources to support people living with HIV/AIDS. His work addressed both public health and social stigma.
Rushan Abbas (1967 – Present)
Rushan Abbas is a Uyghur American activist who advocates for the rights of Uyghur Muslims facing persecution in China. She founded Campaign for Uyghurs and works to raise global awareness about human rights abuses. Her activism focuses on international advocacy and policy change.
Manjusha Kulkarni (1969 – Present)
Manjusha Kulkarni is an Indian American civil rights activist and attorney. She is a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks and responds to anti-Asian discrimination and violence. Her work focuses on community protection, policy advocacy, and raising awareness about racism against Asian Americans.
Wong Kim Ark (1873 – after 1904)
Wong Kim Ark was a Chinese American man whose legal case established birthright citizenship in the United States. Born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, he was denied reentry after traveling abroad due to discriminatory immigration laws. His case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, went to the Supreme Court in 1898, which ruled that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen under the 14th Amendment, setting a lasting legal precedent against racial exclusion.
These are just a handful of many activists whose contributions to the Asian American community still impact us today. May they hold as an inspiration for us all who live in the future they believed possible and built for us, one rooted in justice, equality, and representation. As we move forward, their legacies challenge us to carry their work and principles into the future and continue building on what they started.
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