AAPI
As the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chin's tragedy is commemorated, the co-founders of the American Citizens for Justice (ACJ), Roland Wong, Jim Schmoyer, and active participant Helen Zia, shared their reflections.
In 1983, Vincent Chin was killed in a racially motivated attack, which spurred the formation of ACJ. Helen Zia recalled, "There were so few Asians visible then, amid intense anti-Japanese sentiment, that anyone who looked Japanese faced hatred. When Vincent was killed, we knew there was a deeper reason behind it." The lenient sentencing of the perpetrators incited public outrage, prompting these young activists to stand up for justice.
Jim Schmoyer highlighted the current anti-Asian hate environment, noting it mirrors the past, only worse. He emphasized that the widespread and random attacks over recent years have made public education and awareness of Vincent's case crucial.
Roland Wong pointed out that before 1983, there wasn't an organization like ACJ to advocate for justice for Vincent Chin. The establishment of ACJ fostered coalition-building across communities, collaborating with other civil rights organizations to spread the message about the injustices in Vincent's case and seek justice. This coalition-building continues today, with many partners working in civil justice.
Through this commemoration, they aim to preserve the legacy and call for societal recognition that Chinese and Asian Americans are part of the solution in building a more inclusive society, not part of the problem.
- Keywords: Vincent Chin, American Citizens for Justice, Anti-Asian Hate, Civil Rights, Coalition Building
- Description: Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chin's tragedy, ACJ founders reaffirm their commitment to justice and combating racial hate.