This weekend, we heard about the death of activist and educator Richard Aoki. Known for his lifelong dedication to revolutionary politics and the struggle for human rights, he died due to complications from longstanding medical problems. He was 70.
We often hear about Aoki's unique and noteworthy position as a Field Marshall in the Black Panther Party. While there were several other Asian Americans active in the organization at the time, Aoki was the only one to attain a formal leadership role.
He was also a founding member of the Asian American Political Alliance, a leader in the Third World Liberation Front Strike at UC Berkeley, coordinator for the first Asian American Studies program at UC Berkeley, an advisor for Asians for Job Opportunities, and a counselor, instructor and administrator at Merritt and Alameda Colleges.