The common perspective of the civil rights movement is often seen from one angle: and that is the African American civil rights movement towards racial equality. And though this movement had significant historical context in American history, the pursuits of other minorities such as the Asian American civil rights movement are often undermined and overlooked. Yet, the Asian American movement surpassed the efforts of the African American movement despite the social and cultural obstacles faced with integrating into a new society. Through intrinsic cultural unity and the influences of the African American civil rights movement, the Asian American civil rights movement achieved more success than the African American civil rights movement by identifying with a common goal and creating organizations to combat racial discrimination and government hypocrisy.
Described by journalist Amy Uyematsu as “victims--with less visible scars--of the white institutionalized racism”, Asian Americans faced similar, if not more brutal xenophobia and racism than African Americans especially given the circumstances and historical context. The post-WWII era unified blacks and whites against a common enemy and created an assimilated group that triggered the path towards racial equality--or in other words: the makings of a more equal and integrated society for blacks and whites. However, with post WWII Japanese resentment, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War, impressions of Asian Americans in the United States declined as those for African Americans rose. Moreover, the voice of Asian Americans often went unheard as they assimilated into a “White democracy”. As a result, the emergence of the “Yellow Power” movement began as a direct influence from the “Black Power” movement and the popularized “Black is Beautiful” cry amongst African Americans created an awareness and pride in both movements’ heritage. The Asian American civil rights movement was set into motion and challenged Asian stereotypes and promoted equal rights as Asian Americans took charge.
Since then, African and Asian Americans moved together in the pursuit for racial equality in similar pacing. Therefore, to fight for racial equality and combat bigotry, African Americans formed the NAACP as the Japanese Americans formed the JACL--similar organization both against racial discrimination and to assist its members in rising up in society. These councils significantly impacted the United States as they promoted the causes for social equality and influenced similar organizations all over the United States. Essentially as a catalyst for the civil rights movement, such organizations played a major role in gaining the voice of the people and created unification of citizens reluctant to voice their opinions in a white dominated country. For example, a similar council was created known as the Jackson Street Community Council, which promoted business, social groups, and public services. This created...
