Community,
Vision and Power
By Michael Liu, Kim Geron and Tracy Lai
Lexington Books, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008 2:00 pm
Avenue 50 Studio, Inc.
131 N. Avenue 50
Los
Angeles, CA 90042
323/258-1435
(Free parking is accessed by the left side of the Gallery)
Speakers: Michael Liu and Kim Geron
Finally, a book about the Asian American community
movements of the late twentieth century, written by activist-organizers in
those struggles!
A
new history of Asian American activism reinterprets
the lessons and legacies of the Asian American
movement. The book describes the movement’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. The
history recounts the development of a vision
for structural change and its character as a
social movement that has effects and lessons
for today.
Chronicling something as broad and complex as
the Asian American movement is a daunting task. In
this important book, Michael Liu, Kim Geron,
and Tracy Lai take on this challenge and deliver
a thorough, insightful, and engaging account.
They navigate the twists and turns, successes
and failures of the movement while never losing
sight of its ‘soul,’ which
inspired and inspires activists past and present.”
—Paul
Y. Watanabe, University of Massachusetts–Boston
“The Snake Dance of Asian American Activism illuminates the historical
significance of the social movement for equality and political
inclusion of Asian Americans during the late twentieth century. Drawing from
extensive primary sources and interviews, the authors show how Asian American
identity politics were integrally connected to radical demands for structural
change in society. As recounted by participants and eye witnesses, the American
movement brought about progressive change in ethnic neighborhoods and on college
campuses, creating new forms of contentious politics and participatory democracy,
while infusing progressive themes into an awakening Asian American culture and
arts movement. More than previously published accounts of this movement, this
work shows the movement’s
deep connections to ordinary working people and their day-to-day
concerns. This book will do much to advance needed intergenerational
dialogue about how the goals of social justice popularized by the
Asian American
movement can be effectively pursued in our time.”
—Carolyn Wong, Carleton College
Michael Liu is a senior research associate and
community programs coordinator at the Institute for Asian
American Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.
He is a co-founder and current supporter of the Asian
American movement ezine at aamovement.net.
Kim Geron is associate professor at California State University-East
Bay. He
is Vice-President of the statewide California Faculty Association. Kim
formerly was a rank-and-file activist in the Hotel and Restaurant
Workers Local 11 in Los Angeles.
Tracy Lai is a tenured historian at the Seattle
Central Community College.
Driving Directions: From
Los Angeles: take the 110 North; exit on Ave. 52 going left; turn
left on Figueroa; right on Ave. 50. Parking is accessible on the
left side of the gallery.
For more information: call
(323) 356-6352 or email: mmasaoka@aol.com
The Avenue 50 Studio, Inc. is
a non-profit art gallery formed to support the cultural vitality
of the community of Highland Park. It is Avenue 50 Studio’s
objective to provide an ongoing structure that will enhance public
recognition and appreciation of our multicultural art community,
and engender support for visual artists, writers and poets. Kathy
Gallegos is the founder and director
of Avenue 50 Studio.
