Civil rights pioneer Grace Lee Boggs dies; #GraceLeeTaughtMe

Grace Lee Boggs

ONE OF key figures in the United States' civil rights struggle has died. Grace Lee Boggs passed away this morning (Oct. 5) in her home in Detroit.

Democracy Now wrote:

"Just 20 years ago, Grace Lee Boggs was a rather obscure local figure, a feminist, scholar, and author who carried on the campaign she waged with her late husband Jimmy. Then, in 1994, she co-founded Detroit Summer, 'a multi-racial, inter-generational collective' that serves as a training ground for activists, attracting young people from around the country each year. And her longtime home on the city’s east side has been transformed into the nonprofit Boggs Center. Now there's even a Boggs charter school on Mitchell Street in Detroit. "

Not widely known outside of Detroit, Boggs is revered in progressive circles throughout the nation. She bridged the gap between the Asian and black communities.

Last summer, she marked her 100th birthday. More on the life and times of Grace Lee Boggs.

“Grace died as she lived surrounded by books, politics, people and ideas,” Alice Jennings and Shea Howell, two of Boggs' trustees, said in a statement.

UPDATED (OCT. 7): FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA:

"Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of author, philosopher, and activist Grace Lee Boggs. Grace dedicated her life to serving and advocating for the rights of others – from her community activism in Detroit, to her leadership in the civil rights movement, to her ideas that challenged us all to lead meaningful lives. As the child of Chinese immigrants and as a woman, Grace learned early on that the world needed changing, and she overcame barriers to do just that. She understood the power of community organizing at its core – the importance of bringing about change and getting people involved to shape their own destiny. Grace’s passion for helping others, and her work to rejuvenate communities that had fallen on hard times spanned her remarkable 100 years of life, and will continue to inspire generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with Grace’s family and friends, and all those who loved her dearly."


ADDENDUM: 10 Grace Lee Boggs quotes to live by. 

UPDATED: (OCT. 6)Greg Cedana started #GraceLeeTaughtMe. Read what others feel about her passing.

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Int'l Womens Day: Grace Lee Boggs

Civil rights advocate Grace Lee Boggs

One of the problems of having so many new immigrants in the Asian American  community - and we have recently surpassed Latinos as the fastest growing immigration rate - is that the new immigrants, through no fault of their own, have no knowledge of the American history that preceded their arrival especially in the area of civil rights.

This weekend marked the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when demonstrators tried to cross the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama and were pushed back by baton-wielding police.

Today, March 8,  is also International Womens Day.

I like what NBC News has done with the webpage they created honoring Asian American women's and their role in advancing civil rights - not only for Asian Americans, but for all Americans. Everyone should know that the advantages Asian Americans enjoy today is heavily indebted to the Civil Rights Movement, which is largely, and understandably, perceived as an African American story.

Mainstream media is quick to point out the misperception of a rocky relationship between Blacks and Asians, often using the model minority stereotype of AAPI to demean other minorities. That's why it is important to know the role of Grace Lee Boggs, the Third World Strike and just why was Martin Luther King wearing a Hawaiian lei when he marched across the bridge?

"Grace Lee Boggs [is] one of the great freedom fighters in the history of this nation… a revolutionary in spirit, heart, and mind," said black author and activist Cornel West.

The NBC page also highlights the heroines of the Asian American community that deserve to be remembered in US history books. our appreciation and respect. Some have passed away but many are still fighting the good fight.