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The Paradoxes of Richard Aoki: A Critical Exploration of Race, Resistance, and Identity

Neil Gaiman

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Published in Samurai Among Panthers: Richard Aoki On Race Resistance And A Paradoxical Life (Critical American Studies)

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Richard Aoki was a Japanese American activist, scholar, and artist who made significant contributions to the fields of critical race theory, Asian American studies, and social justice. Born in 1938 in Berkeley, California, Aoki grew up in a working-class family and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he became involved in the Asian American Movement. In the 1960s and 1970s, Aoki was a leading figure in the Third World Liberation Front and the Black Panther Party, and he played a key role in the development of critical race theory.

Samurai among Panthers: Richard Aoki on Race, Resistance, and a Paradoxical Life (Critical American Studies)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1052 KB
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Print length	:	475 pages

Aoki's work was often paradoxical and contradictory, reflecting his own complex and ever-changing views on race, resistance, and identity. He was a fierce critic of racism and white supremacy, but he also believed that race was a social construct that could be used to empower marginalized communities. He was a committed revolutionary, but he also believed in the importance of nonviolent resistance. He was a proud Asian American, but he also believed that Asian Americans were part of a larger multiracial movement for social justice.

Richard Aoki: On Race, Resistance, and the Paradoxical Life is a critical exploration of Aoki's life and work. The book examines Aoki's complex and often contradictory views on race, resistance, and identity, and his enduring legacy as a social justice advocate. The book features essays by leading scholars in the fields of critical race theory, Asian American studies, and social movement studies, and it provides a comprehensive overview of Aoki's life and work.

Reviews

“Richard Aoki: On Race, Resistance, and the Paradoxical Life is a timely and important contribution to the fields of critical race theory, Asian American studies, and social justice. Aoki was a brilliant and complex thinker, and his work continues to inspire activists and scholars today.” — Vijay Prashad, author of The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South

“Richard Aoki was a visionary activist and scholar who made major contributions to our understanding of race, resistance, and identity. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Aoki's work or in the broader struggle for social justice.” — Angela Davis, author of Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement

Chapter 1: Aoki's Early Life and Activism
Chapter 2: Aoki's Work in Critical Race Theory
Chapter 3: Aoki's Work in Asian American Studies
Chapter 4: Aoki's Work in Social Movement Studies
Chapter 5: Aoki's Legacy