Asian American Activists in the Civil Rights Movement
- Balance Learning Resources
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 7-12
Duration of videos: 7 minutes, 4 minutes, 1 minute
Themes: Activism, Labor Rights, Racial Solidarity
Lesson Overview:
The fight for justice has never been fought alone. Asian American activists worked alongside Black, Latinx, and Indigenous leaders to challenge oppression and demand equality. Their contributions remain inspiring and relevant today, offering powerful lessons on solidarity, resilience, and social change.
Resources & Materials:
Videos:
Readings:
Suggested Primary Sources and Timelines:
LESSON PLAN:
Objectives:
Identify contributions of Asian American activists in the Civil Rights Movement.
Analyze the roles of Grace Lee Boggs, Larry Itliong, and Philip Vera Cruz.
Understand the intersectionality of Black liberation and labor rights movements.
Reflect on how these historical alliances shape modern activism.
1. Warm-Up Discussion (10 min) – What Makes an Activist?
Begin with a thought-provoking discussion. Ask students:
What qualities define an activist?
Can anyone be an activist?
What issues today would you take a stand for? Encourage students to connect activism to their own lives and communities.
2. Learning from History: Key Figures in Asian American Activism (20 min)
💡 Introduce three groundbreaking activists and their contributions:
Grace Lee Boggs:- A Chinese American philosopher and activist who worked alongside Black activists in Detroit’s Black Power Movement. 🎥 Grace Lee Boggs
Larry Itliong: A Filipino labor organizer who led farmworker strikes, fighting for fair wages and workers' rights. 🎥 The legacy of Larry Itliong, the father of the West Coast labor movement
🎥 Philip Vera Cruz: A leader in the United Farm Workers movement, advocating for immigrant labor rights
🗣Discussion Questions:
Why did these activists see their struggles as connected to the Black Civil Rights Movement?
How did their work impact social justice movements today?
3. Case Study: The Delano Grape Strike (20 min)
🎥Watch a short documentary clip on the Delano Grape Strike: The Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers"
📖 Group Analysis:
Break students into small groups to analyze primary source materials (use suggested primary sources or allow students to research their own) speeches, newspaper articles, or letters from the movement.
📌 Guiding Questions for Groups:
● What were the key demands of the farmworkers?
● What role did solidarity between racial groups play in the movement?
● How does this movement connect to labor rights issues today?
Each group presents a 2-minute summary of their findings.
4. Creative Activity: Mini-Documentary (30 min)
🎬 Task: Students create a mini-documentary (video, slideshow, or illustrated timeline) highlighting an Asian American activist’s contributions.
💡 Options for Content:
● Images, quotes, and short descriptions of their work.
● Voice-over narrations or interview-style reflections. 📌 Alternative: Students without access to video tools can create a one-page profile on an activist.
5. Reflection & Closing Discussion (10 min)
🗣 Discussion Questions:
● What did these activists teach us about solidarity?
● How do today’s movements continue their legacy?
● Why is it important to recognize and celebrate these histories?
📝 Exit Ticket: Students write down one action they can take to promote racial and labor justice in their communities.
✊ Let’s build a generation of allies and advocates!
