
19/05/2025
“Unless we know ourselves and our history, and other people and their history, there is really no way that we can really have positive kinds of interaction where there is real understanding.” - Yuri Kochiyama
Today marks the birthday of Japanese-American activist . Born in Los Angeles, she was motivated by Malcolm X to become involved in the 20th-century freedom movement. Yuri was a staunch advocate for unity between Black and Asian communities. She also dedicated herself to supporting political prisoners, promoting labor rights, advocating for educational improvements, opposing war, and engaging in numerous other causes.
For more information on the life of , be sure to read the debut children’s picture book “The Bridges Yuri Built: How Yuri Kochiyama Marched Across Movements” written by her grand-daughter and Illustrated by .
Link: https://www.kaepernickpublishing.com/yuri