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Honoring Okinawan American Activist
Dick Jiro Kobashigawa
Saturday, May 31, 2008
2 p.m.
@ the Southern California Library
The Southern California Library is pleased to honor Dick Jiro Kobashigawa for his more than seven decades of activism in the Okinawan,
Japanese American, and broader progressive
movements in Los Angeles. At a ceremony this Saturday, May 31, we will place a plaque on our Wall of Honor in his name.
From the 1930s to the 1970s, Mr. Kobashigawa joined with others in Okinawan immigrant organizations to
promote peace and
justice in the U.S. and Japan, worker rights for immigrants, and political awareness through cultural activities. Since the 1970s,
he has served as a bridge-builder, helping younger activists form new community groups, such as the
Japanese Welfare Rights Organization in Little Tokyo.
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History of Okinawans
in North America:
The Okinawan immigrant Left played a key role in influencing the political development of Asian Americans, but this history has not been
widely documented.
Mr. Kobashigawa and other leaders of the Okinawan Club of America were instrumental in having the UCLA Asian American
Studies Center publish an English language version of the book
History of the
Okinawans in North America, in 1989--one of the few collections of translated primary documents of community organizing activities
in an early Asian immigrant community.
Copies of the book will be available at the event.
See a selection of books and music on Okinawa
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Featuring tributes by:
as well as a cultural/musical performance. Everyone is welcome.
@ The Southern California Library
6120 S. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Download the event flyer (PDF)
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(323) 759-6063