Born: 1921 (San Pedro, California)
Died: 2014
Biography:
Yuri Kochiyama (河内山 百合子 (ユリ・コウチヤマ), Kōchiyama Yuriko, formerly Mary Yuriko Nakahara; May 19, 1921 – June 1, 2014) was an American civil rights activist known for her tireless advocacy and commitment to social justice. Influenced by her Japanese-American family’s experience in an American internment camp, her association with prominent figures like Malcolm X, and her Maoist and Islamic beliefs, Kochiyama devoted her life to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities.
Mary Yuriko Nakahara was born on May 19, 1921, in San Pedro, California. Her parents, Seiichi Nakahara and Tsuyako Nakahara, were Japanese immigrants who instilled in their children a strong sense of community and compassion. Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, Kochiyama experienced both the privileges of her relatively affluent family and the discrimination faced by Japanese-Americans during that time.
Kochiyama attended San Pedro High School, where she made history as the first female student body officer. She was also involved in journalism, writing for the school newspaper, and showcased her athletic abilities as part of the tennis team. After graduating from high school in 1939, she continued her education at Compton College, studying English, journalism, and art. In 1941, she graduated from Compton, eager to explore the world and make a difference.
However, her plans were drastically altered after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of that year. Like thousands of other Japanese-Americans, Kochiyama’s life was upended when her father was arrested by FBI agents under suspicion of being a threat to national security. Unfortunately, her father’s health deteriorated during the six-week detention, and he passed away shortly after his release. This traumatic experience deeply impacted Kochiyama and solidified her commitment to fighting injustice.
In the wake of her father’s death, the United States government issued Executive Order 9066, which forcibly relocated around 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry to internment camps across the country. Kochiyama, along with her mother and brother, was interned first at the Santa Anita Assembly Center and later at the War Relocation Authority internment camp in Jerome, Arkansas. It was during her time in the camps that she met her future husband, Bill Kochiyama, a Nisei soldier. The couple married in 1946.
After World War II, Yuri and Bill Kochiyama moved to New York and settled in public housing. They became vocal advocates for civil rights and joined various organizations dedicated to social equality. In 1960, they relocated to Harlem and became actively involved in the Harlem Parents Committee and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). Kochiyama’s connection to the civil rights movement deepened when she crossed paths with Malcolm X, who would profoundly influence her activism.
Inspired by her friendship with Malcolm X, Kochiyama’s activism took a more radical turn. She became an influential figure in the struggle for racial equality and started advocating for black separatism. Through her involvement in various grassroots organizations, she fought against police brutality, institutional racism, and inequality on all fronts.
Kochiyama’s devotion to human rights extended beyond the fight for racial equality. She actively participated in the anti-war movement against the Vietnam War and supported the rights of political prisoners. Additionally, she tirelessly campaigned for reparations for Japanese-American internees, ensuring their stories were heard and acknowledged.
Yuri Kochiyama’s lifelong dedication to social justice serves as an inspiration to activists worldwide. Her commitment to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities, coupled with her unique perspective shaped by her personal experiences, laid the groundwork for her transformative impact on society. She remains an influential figure in women’s history, as her indomitable spirit continues to inspire future generations of activists.