Exploring The Unlikely Friendship Of Yuri Kochiyama And Malcolm X

On paper, Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X made an unexpected pair — a Japanese American mother of six and a firebrand Muslim minister and Black nationalist. But their brief friendship, interrupted by his assassination in 1965, sheds light on the multi-racial cooperation of the civil rights movement and the broader fight against racial injustice around the world. The intertwining lives of these two iconic figures reveal the strength found in solidarity and shared struggles against oppression. Their legacies continue to inspire movements for justice and equality today.

Yuri Kochiyama’s journey began in 1921 when she was born as Mary Yuriko Nakahara in San Pedro, California. As a daughter of Japanese immigrant parents, her upbringing was relatively comfortable until the events of World War II drastically altered her family's life. The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor resulted in widespread suspicion and prejudice against Japanese Americans, leading to their forced relocation and internment. This traumatic experience planted the seeds of activism within Kochiyama, shaping her into a powerful advocate for civil rights.

After moving to New York City and marrying Bill Kochiyama, a Japanese American WWII veteran, she became increasingly engaged in the civil rights movement. Living in racially mixed neighborhoods, she formed connections with diverse communities and organizations, amplifying her commitment to social justice. Her activism blossomed further when she met Malcolm X in the early 1960s, marking a significant turning point in her political journey. Together, they challenged the status quo and fought against racial injustices, highlighting the importance of unity in the struggle for equality.

Kochiyama’s Activism Was Sparked by Her Traumatic Experiences During World War II

The daughter of Japanese immigrant parents, Mary Yuriko Nakahara was born in 1921 in San Pedro, California. Her father, Seiichi, was a successful fish merchant, and the family lived a comfortable life in their predominantly white neighborhood.

But her life, along with that of hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans and their families, was forever changed following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That same afternoon, shortly after she returned home from church, her father was arrested by the FBI due to erroneous suspicions regarding his connections with Japanese officials. After six weeks of harsh interrogation, Seiichi died just a day after he was released in January 1942.

The following month, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which mandated the forced removal of 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast. Like other Japanese families, the Nakaharas were stripped of their livelihoods and possessions, spending three years in an internment camp in Jerome, Arkansas. Initially, Kochiyama described herself as “apolitical,” but her experiences during the war, including witnessing the racism faced by African Americans, ignited her lifelong quest for justice and civil rights.

She Became Politically Involved After Moving to New York City

After marrying Bill Kochiyama, a Japanese American WWII veteran, the couple moved to New York City, where their growing family lived in racially mixed public housing projects. Kochiyama developed friendships with her white, Asian, Latinx, and Black neighbors, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

In the early 1960s, after moving to Harlem, she became increasingly active in the civil rights movement. She joined organizations like the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) and participated in sit-ins, voicing her opposition to racism and inequality in the United States and beyond. Kochiyama even involved her children in activism, taking them on a trip to Alabama in 1963 to witness the physical scars of racial protests in Birmingham.

Her Politics Became More Radical After Befriending Malcolm X

In October 1963, Kochiyama and her teenage son Billy attended a Brooklyn rally supporting workers protesting unjust hiring practices. After being detained by police, she saw Malcolm X arrive to support the primarily Black group of protesters. Initially hesitant to approach him, Kochiyama eventually introduced herself, expressing admiration for his work while sharing her disagreement with his stance on racial segregation.

Impressed by her courage to discuss differing views, Malcolm and Kochiyama quickly formed a bond. He encouraged her to delve deeper into the history of racial oppression and invited her to participate in his newly-formed Organization of Afro-American Unity. Kochiyama briefly converted to Islam, crediting Malcolm with transforming her worldview, stating, “He certainly changed my life. I was heading in one direction, integration, and he was going in another, total liberation, and he opened my eyes.”

They Met During a Tumultuous Period in Malcolm’s Life

Just months after their initial meeting, Malcolm X would break away from the Nation of Islam due to rising tensions with its leader, Elijah Muhammad. In spring 1964, Malcolm embarked on a transformative tour through Africa and the Middle East, altering his perspective on racial issues and encouraging peaceful solutions. During this time, he maintained correspondence with the Kochiyamas, sharing postcards about his travels.

Upon returning, he visited the Kochiyamas’ Harlem apartment to meet with Japanese survivors of the American bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He spoke about the shared struggles against both racism and American imperialism, emphasizing that "We are constantly hit by the bombs of racism — which are just as devastating."

Kochiyama Cradled Malcolm X’s Head Following His Assassination

On February 21, 1965, just 16 months after their first meeting, Kochiyama attended a speech Malcolm was set to deliver at New York’s Audubon Ballroom. Tensions in the room were high due to ongoing threats against his life. As a scuffle broke out, believed to be a planned diversion, multiple men rushed the stage and shot Malcolm repeatedly before fleeing.

In the chaos, Kochiyama saw another man rushing to help and followed him to the stage. A Life magazine photographer captured the iconic moment of Kochiyama cradling Malcolm’s head, pleading for him to stay alive. She would later visit his grave annually, honoring their shared birthday on May 19.

Despite Her Devastation Over Malcolm’s Death, Kochiyama Remained an Activist

For decades, the Kochiyamas’ apartment became a hub for Black nationalists and left-leaning groups. Her children recall the constant flow of political leaders and activists, describing their home as feeling like the movement itself. Among the visitors were notable figures such as Angela Davis and a young Tupac Shakur.

Throughout her activism, Kochiyama faced controversy due to her support of various radical causes. Despite this, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, highlighting her global impact as an activist. A particularly personal cause for her was advocating for reparations for Japanese Americans who were interned during WWII. Her efforts culminated in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which recognized the injustices faced by those detained and provided monetary compensation.