A Discussion with Don Misumi about the Asian American Movement

By Shauna Lo
8/18/2002

Because I know that Don is a veteran Asian American activist, I thought it would be fascinating to hear his thoughts on the differences between the Asian American movement in the 1970s and today. I had endless questions about his activities, inspirations, goals and vision for the future, both then and now. In fact, I asked him so many questions, I think I made him late for his next appointment. Of course, Don was too polite to cut me off….

First, I asked Don to tell me about how his political consciousness developed and how he became active in the Asian American movement. Don told me that he was politicized while in college at UC Berkeley in the early to mid 1970s. The anti-Vietnam War movement and struggle for ethnic studies on campus were major influences, as were courses in Asian American studies. Don revealed that this was when he first learned about the Japanese American internment camps, to which his parents and grandparents were sent, but about which they never spoke.

Ethnic studies was quite a radical concept at the time. Its non-white focus, strong community component, and discussion of contemporary issues was threatening to the university on a number of different levels. As part of the struggle for ethnic studies, Don participated in huge demonstrations and marches on campus, as well as building takeovers. Though the university seemed determined to destroy ethnic studies one way or another, Don felt the power of the organizing large numbers of people around "a just cause and a popular cause."

Don became more active in graduate school. So active, in fact, he ended up dropping out. At UC Davis, he befriended several Asian American activists, including some who were members of the League of Revolutionary Struggle, a Marxist organization. For Don, the Asian American movement was part of a larger revolutionary struggle to overthrow an oppressive capitalist system. Only a true communist revolution could eradicate economic exploitation and, consequently, racism.

Don soon made the decision to return to San Francisco to work and organize in the Japanese American community. He joined the Japanese Community Progressive Alliance, an organization which later helped found the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations. Winning the struggle for redress and reparations was one of Don's most significant and personally satisfying achievements.

I asked Don for some thoughts on social change, the Asian American movement and activism today. Don said that much of his beliefs are the same as they were twenty years ago, although it has become clear to him that a one-party system such as communism does not work. He still believes that systemic social change is needed to redistribute wealth and power in our society. While he does not think that we are at a place now where a revolution could occur, he does have hope for popular systemic change.

The Asian American movement is weaker now than it was in the 70s, but the potential for developing a popular movement is there, Don says. There are unifying struggles facing Asian Americans such as political empowerment, the fight against anti-immigrant sentiment, and the maintenance of ethnic pride. And the economic situation that Southeast Asian communities are in are not dissimilar to that of East Asians communities before them. His own work as president of the Asian American Resource Workshop is to encourage empowerment through grassroots organizing and the development of new leaders.

We discussed the potential for organizing among younger generations of Asian Americans. Even I (being in my early 30s) missed the enthusiasm and energy of the 60s and 70s, and grew up during the years of Reaganism. So I wondered what might motivate and inspire younger Asian Americans–who are even more removed from the idealism of the 60s and who have experienced unparalleled economic growth and conservatism in their lifetimes–to fight for social change.

Don's own inspiration continues to derive from idealism and activism in the 70s. "The Vietnam War," he says, "was such a significant and unifying experience in people's lives." Although Don believes the underlying problems with the American system still exist, the times are very different now and the problems are masked behind this period of economic prosperity. As someone who thinks often about the potential for activism among young Asian Americans, Don has observed the lack of a catalyst, or unifying experience for them.

Still, he believes that there is great potential for activism among today's Asian American youth. While they did not experience the "political epiphanies of my generation that had its roots in the civil rights and anti-war movements," there continues to be a "gut-level" sense of alienation and anger at injustice due to discrimination and racism. Don sees many people who want to volunteer in and make some kind of contribution to the Asian American community, and he hopes that the Asian American Resource Workshop can help turn this abstract sense of social consciousness into something more overtly political. "How to do this is the real challenge."

Shauna Lo is a researcher for the Institute for Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Don Misumi is on the Board of Directors for the Asian American Resource Workshop in Boston, MA.

"Ethnic studies was quite a radical concept at the time. Its non-white focus, strong community component, and discussion of contemporary issues was threatening to the university on a number of different levels."