Amerasia Journal 35:2 (2009): 223-232

Richard Aoki (1938-2008): Toughest Oriental to Come Out of West Oakland

Harvey Dong

Longtime activist and (BPP) founder, Richard Aoki passed away Sunday morning on March 15, 2009. The day before his passing, Third World Lib- eration Front (TWLF) strike veterans and students were celebrat- ing the fortieth anniversary of the strike for Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Activities included an Asian American Pacific Islander student conference and an Asian American alumni dinner—fo- cused on the legacy of the Third World Strike of 1969. Although Richard was too ill to attend the dinner and other TWLF fortieth anniversary commemorative events, different speakers credited him for his past leadership contributions. Attendees at the Sat- urday dinner signed “get well” messages on an event poster that was brought over to Richard’s home. His body did not respond well to the previous week’s dialysis treatment. His heart had stopped and had to be revived by doctors. Exhausted from his stay in the hospital and not feeling improvement, he opted to return home to recover. Over the years, he had taken the route of going home for recovery from at least two strokes, except this time was different. The next morning, Richard was brought by ambulance to the hospital where he passed away. A number of Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA) friends had scheduled to have coffee on that same Sunday morn- ing before leaving town in the afternoon. AAPA was the Asian American organization that worked with other student groups to form the TWLF in 1969. Richard Aoki was one of its founding members and was instrumental in bringing different nationali- ties together into a cohesive force. Instead of bidding each other a happy farewell, they established the Richard Aoki Memorial

Harvey Dong was active in the Third World Liberation Front Strike at UC Berkeley and later community organizing in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2002, he received a PhD in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley and currently teaches Asian American Studies courses there.

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blog began to fill with notices: blog began

Oakland Tribune

March 20, 2009 March Please accept my deepest sympathies. Duplessis, Toni Southlake, Texas Now an ancestor, he shall live on through us as we honor him he shall live on through Now an ancestor, and on Richard with our actions, deeds and libations! Shine loved! Many blessings to the friends and know that you are experiencing loss. family who are Ayanna, Mama Oakland, California many lives mines as well. Power to the people, & power to many lives mines as well. Power to the Aoki, as I thank you for being in my life! Richard my brother Jose Pena, Oakland, California 2009 22, March lives. and his example in our blessed to have Richard we were ing Department; memories of him walking in “cool as can ing Department; memories of him walking to always ready be” with his black briefcase, shades - and his good friend help a student or friend in need. I remember that changed the views of counselors great Ken Waters—two them, views for the betterment of everyone who came across for equal of our sky and the strength in the power You’re life. and will always be the “right on” man in so are You rights. sincerest condolences. My prayers are with you. are condolences. My prayers sincerest Dominique N, California Berkeley, 2009 23, March Aoki while we both worked meeting Richard I remember for the Counsel together at in the mid 70’s Chicago, Illinois 23, 2009 March closer to Aoki for bringing civil rights equality Thank you Mr. American and Asian Thank you for helping to create reality. of your work and am grateful a product Ethnic Studies. I am my Aoki, family and friends of Mr. the to have met you. To Soon the 25, 2009 March was a College and she and I met you at Merritt My Mom brought work and you did great of the Party, former member Rest in Peace, Power to the People alot to the community. Cheryln Benavidez, 226 Amerasia Journal 2009 Sacramento, California Reenie Perez, Power To ThePeople! you willalwaysbepartofus and ourstruggle. In remembrance ofastrong, principledandcourageousman, March 19,2009 Pat Denoncourt Love &Blessings, him, andtobeconsidered afriend. kind andlovingperson.Ifeelveryfortunatetohaveknown remember hisloyalty, dedication,andgenerosity. Hewasa We whoknewRichard atCollegeof Alameda, willalways Dearest Aoki Family, March 19,2009 Kaneohe, Hawaii Keonaona, A HUIHOU! continue ithere. the heavens—Continueyourworkfrom there sothatwemay You are nowamongtheStarsinUniverseandsaints Aloha Aokisung - March 19,2009 Winston-Salem, NorthCarolina Nova B., Rest inpeace,Mr. Aoki. missed. and treasure ofthefightforhumanrightswhowillbegreatly Many condolencestothe Aoki family. Another champion March 20,2009 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Jun Zuniga, May yourmemoriesbringyoucomfort. Our thoughtsandprayersare withyouinyourtimeofgrief. March 20,2009 Oakland, California Nzinga Nyagua, Condolences. Thank you Aoki familyforgivingusthisgreat soldier. March 20,2009

Richard Aoki (1938-2008) 227 ------

What followed was a series of speakers that highlighted Richard Richard highlighted that speakers of series a was followed What In May 2, 2008, A “Celebration of the Life and Times of Rich of Times and Life the of “Celebration A 2008, 2, May In The public response to Richard’s death was a challenge to March 19, 2009 March righteous joyous A to all of us. and are you were What a gift evident was in the struggle power and goodness man whose at all times. Nancy J, California Berkeley, tivism was addressed by Shaka At-Thinnin (chairman of Black Au Black of (chairman At-Thinnin Shaka by addressed was tivism TWLF (1999 Hernandez Roberto and audience the Committee) thanked Organizing gust Aoki James cousin Richard’s Berkeley). UC of life. Richard’s from learn and celebrate to come who War Jack (Native American Students United) and Carl Mack (Afro (Afro Mack Carl and United) Students American edu (Native Jack Richard’s War addressed that Speakers Union). Students Commit American Memorial the (of Arai Shoshana included: legacy Diane cational friend), and classmate school (graduate Daniels Douglas tee), and biographer) Bill Sato in Fujino (Richard’s (co-worker Peralta ac and retirement of years latter His system). College Community American Studies, UC Berkeley) and Carlos Munoz (Ethnic Studies, Studies, (Ethnic Munoz Carlos and Berkeley) UC Studies, American years defining early Richard’s on spoke who Those Berkeley). UC of included: activism Bobby of Seale (chairman the BPP), Tarika Japa (a Tagawa Mike BPP), the of member female first (the Lewis Kochiyama Yuri and Seattle), in UC BPP the of veteran Richard’s American to nese spoke who Those activist). rights human (longtime LaNada (AAPA), Wong TWLF years included: Berkeley Victoria TWLF Member.” TWLF Member.” his activism, TWLF his years, Party Panther Black his legacy: contin Aoki’s his and colleges community Peralta for were educator an as addresses work opening The retirement. after activism political ued Asian and Committee Memorial the (of Dong Harvey by presented discover. discover. Aoki” was held Auditorium. at UC This Berkeley’s ard Wheeler celebration opened with the marching in Black of August BPP Organizingalumni Committeeand honor guards banner made by alumnus moment BPP Billy A of X silence. Jen leading a and Panther Black Aoki. Richard Warrior. “People’s stated: kins make the memorial as inclusive as possible. The memorial event memorial The possible. as inclusive as memorial the make became not just a telling of Richard’s life but the history of the movement in which he operated. Participants did not just state re- their part of the history but were able to find connections and lessons that in earlier times they were not in the position to 228 Amerasia Journal 2009 not wastedbutfounduselater inthemovement. was assessed, Richard training, military his Still, children. and did not want to be placed in the position of having to kill he women humanitarianism, and code bushido the in belief his scope. to in Due up picking be to going was and “dirty” was war the Vietnamfrom returningthat GI’s other from information ceived Vietnam.in involvement US reof He questioning relatedhis to was re-enlist not to decision His 1964. in discharge honorable remains in the reserve program of the Army for seven years until duty, active of he year one After graduation. after days three til in theU.S. Army whilestillasenior. Hedelayedactivedutyun enlisted he graduation to prior Shortly club. social multiracial a is placed in a more integrated environment. He joined the Saints, mother in Berkeley and attended Berkeley High School where he worse thathehadseeninWest Oakland. the than worse were conditions States, United the of parts other nation and lynching with a great deal of horror at the fact that in of newcomersfrom theSouthwhoresettled inOakland. and learn the history of Blacks in America. He listened to stories West Oakland he learned to appreciate African American culture In P.Newton. Huey leader BPP future with friends childhood became he where Oakland West in resettled family his II, War World After camp. concentration Topaz, the at family tire From 1942 to 1945, Richard, at age four, was interned with his en Citizen No. 13711-C some uniquephasesofhislife. keys for understanding current race relations. The following are the movement. Because he crossed racial boundaries, it provides Wang Ben andMikeCheng. documentarians by shown was Richard to tribute video a and mic open an from read were Statements ceremonies. fering maesori (Sister Sound) providing music and leadership in the of Ja group drumming Korean burned. and read were messages and poems where point focal a provided People The Serve and Alliance Arts Eastside the by made shrine ancestral An lective. ter sponsored by the Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Student Col After his parents’ divorce in 1955, Richard lived with his his with lived Richard 1955, in divorce parents’ his After Richardrecalled discrimi racism, of stories their to listening of memory collective a provided history life Aoki’s Richard Cen Multi-Cultural the at held was reception a Afterwards, ------Richard Aoki (1938-2008) 229 ------At that time, police brutality was a pressing concern and in port for the struggles ofAfrican American, Chicano andAmeri can Indians to attain freedom, justice and equality; and position4) toop imperialist policies being pursued by the American when time a during significant especially was This government. and became a founding member American of Asian Political the Alliance, the first organization of Asian to designate themselves Asian and not the stereotypical “oriental”, for fundamentalcalling revolutionary change in society. In July 1968, Richard madeplatform publicthat AAPA’s called for 1) an end to racism Americans;Asianagainst 2) affirmation of the right to self-determination for the Asian American community; 3) sup park and stood off several hundred police officers. The rally was rally The officers. police hundred several off stood and park member male every afterwards, and incident without conducted of the Dowell family joined the BPP. AAPA In July 1968, Richard attended graduate school at UC Berkeley volved in a tense confrontation involving the Black community and the police. Denzel Dowell, a Americanseventeen-year-old youth in AfricanNorth Richmond was shot to death by police. the Dowell’s mother wanted to organize a rally grievancesto overair the her shooting but was denied the permit. her family and She,friends asked the BPP to help secure the park for a public protest. Three carloads of armed Panthers secured the by the fact that its demands for “land, bread, housing, education, housing, bread, “land, for demands its that fact the by clothing, justice, peace and people’s community control of mod other by demands adopted and supported were technology” ern communities of color. one 1967 incident in Richmond, California, Richard became in became a field marshal. Hereluctant wasto joinat first because he was Japanese and not Black. Huey retorted that the struggle be justice, and equality transcended race. The BPP for freedom, came the premier revolutionary nationalist organization in the U.S. that challenged institutional racism, imperialism and capi viewed be can Panthers Black the by made advances The talism. Black Panther Years Panther Black In October 1966, Richard attended Merritt College where he re united with friends Huey P. Newton and . Hueyand Bobby drafted the BPP ten-point program with andRichard before consultedfinalizing it. Upon completion of the pro gram, he was asked by Huey to join the BPP. Richard did and 230 Amerasia Journal 2009 of Alameda), Native American Student Association (Merritt Col was faculty sponsor for: Filipino Student Alliance Club (College He recommendation. of letters writing and advising hours less count spent and education higher to onward continue to dents stu encouraged He Colleges. Peralta the in students of needs educational and lives the improve greatly He to position his system. used College Community Peralta the in administrator and member, senate academic instructor, counselor, a was He tor for the first Asian American Studies program at UC Berkeley. ard Aoki became and educator for the people. He was coordina Berkeley,Rich UC Welfare from Social M.S.W.in and UC Berkeley at Sociology in AB College, Community Merritt at AA his the community.the serve Richardto people, it used from receivingUpon apart himself place to education his using of Instead Educator for the People other campuses. fornia system and made it easier to establish similar programs in Cali of University the in Studies Ethnic established movement every arrestee was taken care of with bail and legal support. The ensureto that attention particular wherepaid member he mittee com central a as strike TWLF the in active was Richard rests. ar mass were there and students on dropped were gas CS and Mace Guard. National U.S. the eventually and sheriffs police, riot of hundreds of use the included and extensive was TWLF the community. repressionon their State involve that programs ThirdWorld3) and all over positions decision-making in people power, of positions World in Third 2) people College, Third a 1) for demands movement TWLF the derail to attempted Reagan Ronald States, United the in governor conservative most the by controlled administration university non-responsive a time, the At programs. Studies Ethnic for struggle the in color of people among unity build to AAPAexperience and Panther Black his became a leader in the student strike for Ethnic Studies. He used 1969 January In TWLF in the Asian American community. black and brown liberation movements as well as struggles with militancy. Instead, Richard and other AAPA members supported protest brown and black to answer the as politicians by and dia me public in touted was stereotype minority model Asian the , , Richard Aoki helped establish the TWLF and and TWLF the establish helped Aoki Richard ------Richard Aoki (1938-2008) 231 ------, an African American free The Commemorator Half of Richard Aoki’s ashes were interred at the Chapel of the the of Chapel the at interred were ashes Aoki’s Richard of Half In late 2008, Peralta TV and the Peralta Community College cific Ocean where he could join his beloved mother Toshiko Kani Toshiko mother beloved his join could he where Ocean cific his complicated divorce Parental Kaniye. Albert stepfather and ye Council City Oakland the 2009, 12, May On death. after even life Years Forty Over For Aoki Richard Honoring Resolution a passed tims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The screening The screening Slave Trade. tims of Slavery and the Transatlantic is and York New in headquarters Nations United the at held was honor. a prestigious considered the same slot with he his fa shares where Columbarium Chimes Pa the in sea at scattered were half other the and Aoki, Shozo ther District produced a documentary “Merritt College: Home of the of Home College: “Merritt documentary a produced District .” Richard was not initially interviewed firstin runthe of the film but fellow Panthers and Nations others United the by selected was film The added. be voice his asked that for a special screening in March 2009 as part of its annual com Vic the of Remembrance of Day International the of memoration tion in 2008 and the showing of the documentary about his life at life his about documentary the of showing the and 2008 in tion the Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland. For his seventieth birth a day, large bash was held again at Eastside Arts. Richard was delighted with being emcee the summer previous for the found ing meeting of the Serve the People organization, an organiza Asian youth. tion of Southeast Richard suffered ups and downs due to deteriorated health these these health deteriorated to due downs and ups suffered Richard past few years. What helped him greatly was his support base of friends. He looked forward to his aqua exercise classes with his old high school friends Oliver and Barbara Petry. The wa helped ter greatly his exercises blood flow and stamina. He also Panther Black the at friends old with reuniting to forward looked Fortieth Anniversary in 2006, Fortieththe AAPA Commemora Job Opportunities in Center the Area, AsianBay Berkeley Youth and English Language Institute of the Area. Bay He was also ex officio advisor to monthly newspaper. Years Final lege), Asian American Student Club (Merritt College), and the Black Association Veterans (North Peralta). He was also an ac tive member of the Peralta College employees union that fought for decent job and health benefits and later,retiree health care programs. His community activities for alsoAsian including: involvednon-profits various for serving directors of board on the 232 Amerasia Journal 2009 the world in order to change it, just like Richard Aoki. shetoowill beamong Oakland’s best—starting off tolearn about that so encouragement and scholarship small a with University Howardattending be will Togethershe year Nextorganization. Gutu, a Tongan student who was part of the Oakland-based Youth shipFundforinner-city youth. Among thoseselected wasMalia ni Associationraisedmoniesestablish to Richard a AokiScholar though he would prefer to be outside protesting. The AAPI Alum community. If he were alive he would gladly accept the award al ard AokilovedOakland andtoldhisstudents givetobacktheto ceived the posthumous award from the council adding how Rich Civilof Rights ActivismandCommunity Service. Thiswriter re - - - - -