A New History: The Snake Dance of Asian American Activism: Community, Vision, and Power

10/2/08

A new history of Asian American activism reinterprets the Asian American movement (AAM). Michael Liu, Kim Geron, and Tracy Lai describe the AAM's dramatic impact on the direction of Asian American political and social activity beginning in the 1960s, particularly in terms of neighborhood redevelopment, civil rights, international solidarity, and the Jesse Jackson presidential campaigns.

They argue that the movement was more influential and protracted than generally understood and became the vehicle to bring Asian American communities into the mainstream of civil life.
The history’s other main points about the AAM were its vision for structural change and its character as a social movement that have effects and lessons for today.

The history describes In addition to the well-known centers of the AAM in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York, the history expands the Movement’s scope by discussing important episodes in Seattle, Boston, and Hawai’i activism.

Michael Liu and Kim Geron are also members of API Movement.

A more extensive review will soon be available and copies of this book will be for sale from this site.