Ariana Dideban

Ms. Hynes

Honors American History

24 March 2017

The Life of an Asian-American Revolutionary

Yuri Kochiyama was not a typical Japanese American mother; she was a political

activist that fought for the rights of not only her race but for all Americans. Kochiyama is

famous for being a key participant in Malcolm Xs movement for Black liberation. The

two political activists, Malcolm and Kochiyama, struck up an unlikely friendship that led

to the radicalization of Kochiyamas beliefs. Throughout her life, Kochiyama stood up for

causes that did not directly affect her, but still remained on her conscious. Her activism

accomplished great events in America including the Civil Liberties Act, and the

elimination of segregation among Blacks and Whites. Her outspoken determination and

her unique perspective allowed her to envision an America with equality for all.

Yuri Kochiyama was a second generation Japanese American whose father had a

successful marine and fish supply business. Her parents were prominent figures in the

Japanese American community and her mother was an interesting character; she had a

college education, smoked, and taught piano. Kochiyama also had a strong character; she

is believed to be the first girl to be elected to San Pedro High Schools student council.

She continued to break the mold by writing a sports column and eventually attending

Compton Community College for journalism. Kochiyama and her family were

assimilating without a problem until December 7, 1941 when the FBI arrested her father

for espionage. Her father joined the rest of the Japanese Americans who were wrongly
accused and arrested during World War II. Shortly after, Kochiyama was also sent to an

internment camp where she remained for two years. The internment camp she was sent to

was in Arkansas, which allowed her to witness the harsh Jim Crow Laws present in the

South. She was released in 1944 to help run a USO center where she met her husband

Bill Kochiyama who was a Japanese American soldier in the 442nd regimental combat

team. Together they moved to New York City to start and raise their family.

They lived in Harlem within the projects; Kochiyamas neighbors were Puerto

Rican and African American. Kochiyama observed the racial injustices that her neighbors

were subjected to and joined them in fighting for better schools and safer streets. She

enrolled in freedom schools in order to learn about Black history and culture. Her home

became a metropolis for civil rights activists and Freedom Riders. She soon joined the

civil rights movement and sympathized with the Black Panthers cause. She is known to

have been Malcolm Xs friend and is famous for being with him in his final moments

before his death. Malcolm X and Kochiyama met at a Brooklyn Courthouse where

Kochiyama approached him and introduced herself. Malcolm X came to Kochiyamas

home several times and had a written correspondence with her. They had differing views

regarding integration and separatism, but came together to discuss their beliefs and ideas.

After his death, Kochiyama continued her activism and fight for civil rights.

In the 1980s, Kochiyama successfully sought out reparations for Japanese-

Americans who were put into internment camps during World War II. She also helped

organize campaigns to free activist who had been wrongly imprisoned like Mumia Abu-

Jamal. She was also against the Vietnam War and was an advocate for Puerto Rican

independence and nuclear disarmament.

 Yuri Kochiyama was a radical activist that sought out equality for all races. She

did not confine herself to the struggles of Japanese-Americans and strived to understand

the struggles of all people. She has had a great influence on American politics and

society. Kochiyama did not sit back and observe the civil rights movement-- she joined in

and participated. Her background allowed her to empathize with the struggle of African

Americans, Puerto Rican Americans, and many other races. She symbolizes a true

American activist.
 Works Cited

Wang, Hansi Lo. "Not Just A 'Black Thing': An Asian-American's Bond With Malcolm

X." NPR.

NPR, 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Wang, Hansi Lo. "Yuri Kochiyama, Activist And Former World War II Internee, Dies At

93."

NPR. NPR, 02 June 2014. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Yardley, William. "Yuri Kochiyama, Rights Activist Who Befriended Malcolm X, Dies at

93." The New York Times. The New York Times, 04 June 2014. Web. 02 Apr.

2017.

"Yuri Kochiyama Dies at 93; Civil Rights Activist, Friend of Malcolm X." Los Angeles

Times.

Los Angeles Times, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.