Corky Lee's Asian America

“For generations, Corky taught us how to see ourselves—as individuals and as a community.”—From the Foreword by Hua Hsu, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Stay True“Corky Lee put in the center of his frame working-class women, children, and men who have been erased from the annals, capturing their struggle and solidarity with grit, dedication, and beauty. Corky Lee’s Asian America is an enduring and important book about Asian American resistance that will help change the way we look at American history.”—Cathy Park Hong, author of Minor Feelings“Corky Lee’s remarkable images demonstrate how crucial it is to make sure that Asian Americans are seen, first and foremost, as themselves. His oeuvre is a valuable and moving record of Asian American existence, culture, and activism. Not least, his work is a critical testimony to the Asian American movement of which he was a part, and which he helped to preserve through his photographs.”—Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of A Man of Two Faces“These stunning photographs by Corky Lee and the stirring essays by those who knew him will take your breath away. For fifty years Corky was the fly on the wall of Asian American–Pacific Islander life. Every image he produced was that of an artist with deep knowledge and commitment to his subject, not that of some outsider searching for easy stereotypes.”—Juan González, cohost of Democracy Now!“What a fantastic celebration of both the documented and the documenter! To see Asian American history as it was made, and to feel the power of witness—this is the tribute to Corky Lee that he amply deserves, and a gift of incalculable value to American history.”—Gish Jen, author of Thank You, Mr. Nixon“Corky Lee and his photographs not only documented the most significant transformations in Asian America, they also inspire us to work toward justice. Corky Lee’s Asian America is the book that we have been waiting for. It will become an instant classic that inspires the next generation of artists and activists to continue the work that Corky began.”—Erika Lee, professor of history, Harvard University“Corky Lee’s Asian America makes visible the unseen contours of a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse Asian American community. This selection will no doubt become an invaluable resource and inspiration for all who want to ‘think and know more’ about the individuals who became artists, protestors, educators, and activists fostering a sense of Asian American community, together.”—Stephanie H. Tung, Byrne Family Curator of Photography, Peabody Essex Museum

Corky Lee (1947-2021), a native of Queens, New York, was an activist-photographer who documented Asian American communities and movements for social justice for fifty continuous years.

Mae Ngai is Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies and professor of history at Columbia University. She is the author of several books, most recently The Chinese Question.

Chee Wang Ng is a New York-based visual artist and photographer.

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