FULL CIRCLE (part 2 of 4)

Asian Americans stepped up to participate in this historic nation-wide movement. We fought for ethnic studies and forged a new positive Asian American identity through the arts and media. Gidra, the brainchild of a bunch of Sansei college students at UCLA became "the voice" of a nation-wide Asian American movement. Amerasia Bookstore opened its doors in Little Tokyo and we rocked to the incomparable sounds of Hiroshima and Kinnara Taiko. The Asian Women's Group and Asian Women's Center communicated the message of equality for women.

Organizing through JACS-AI
The Japanese American Community Services-Asian Involvement office was located in the Sun building in Little Tokyo. Through JACS-AI, we addressed the issues of the elderly and poor in Little Tokyo. We held health fairs and worked with the Pioneer Center to provide hot meals. When 31 Sansei youth died of barbiturate overdose in 1971, the Japanese American Community Services-Asian Involvement office launched a city-wide education campaign called the Drug Offensive to unite churches, community groups, parents, and youth in the fight against drug abuse. Soon ,self-help drug abuse groups like Yellow Brotherhood and Asian Sisters, formed to provide an alternative for youth seeking a better life. When redevelopment hit, Little Tokyo People's Rights organization formed to fight for low cost housing for seniors and for the rights of small mom and pop businesses in the area. We stood side by side with workers at Japan Food Corporation and Horikawa restaurant in their fight for fair working conditions. We formed coalitions with people of all nationalities to support the Native Americans at Wounded Knee and end the war in Vietnam.

Full Circle 3 - Asian Americans: The Movement and the Moment