GIDRA: April 1974 issue

Licensing

This album shares the final issue of Gidra  magazine (April 1974) as a part of the Japanese American National Museum's exhibition  Drawing the Line: Japanese American Art, Design & Activism in Post-War Los Angeles on view from October 15, 2011 to February 11, 2011.

Gidra Staff: Doug Aihara, Linda Fujikawa, Jeff Furumura, Bruce Iwasaki, Glen Iwasaki, David Monkawa, Mike Murase, Alan Ota, Alan Takemoto, Steve Tatsukawa, Dean Toji, and Evelyn Yoshimura. Contributors: Carrie Furuya, Peter Hata, Seigo Hayashi, Tomo Hisamoto, Tamiko Hirano, Eddie Ikuta, Stuart Iwasaki, Miller Jew, Duane Kubo, Dan Kuramoto, June Okida Kuramoto, Sharon Machida, Danny Matsumura, Ken Minamiji, Amy Murakami, Scott Nagatani, Teri Nitta, Alan Ohashi, Henry Omori, Linda Iwataki Omori, Merle Oyadomori, Susie Partridge, Val Sakanoi, Laura Tokunaga, Richard Tokunaga, Brian Wakano, Jerry Wong, Mike Yamamoto, Mike Yanagita, and others.

* * *

Gidra was a monthly publication that called itself the “voice of the Asian American movement.” Founded by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) students in April 1969, the magazine took a radically progressive political position, providing information about the movement not found elsewhere in the mainstream media. The magazine eventually moved off campus, operating out of a series of offices in the Crenshaw area until its last issue went to press in April 1974.

The magazine’s sixty issues offered news from the third world struggle perspective—aligning the Asian American movement not only with domestic empowerment movements like the Black Power, Chicano, and Native American movements but also the international struggles of oppressed peoples in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Gidra addressed issues like drug abuse in the Asian American community, news about the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement, prison conditions, and the redevelopment of Little Tokyo, among other issues. Art, especially poetry and drawing, were integrated into every issue of the magazine; such creative expressions were crucial to articulating a nascent Asian American identity and were intertwined with the political goals of the movement.

The magazine was edited by a changing, non-hierarchical collective that included individuals like Mike Murase, Doug Aihara, Evelyn Yoshimura, Steve Tatsukawa, and Bruce Iwasaki, along with a roster of talented graphic designers and artists that included Alan Takemoto, Dean Toji, David Monkawa, and Glenn Iwasaki.

[Gift of Janice Diane Tanaka, Japanese American National Museum (90.8.1)]

Slides in this album 

Page 1

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication

GIDRA 1974 - Page 1
Contributed by: JANM

Page 2

Includes:

- Table of Contents

- final message from the Gidra staff

- On the Scene: The Oil Issue by John Ohta

GIDRA 1974 - Page 2
Contributed by: JANM

Page 3

Includes:

- On the Scene:

     * The Oil Issue by John Ohta (continued)

     * Pagkakaisa: Building Unity

     * Long March Harassed

GIDRA 1974 - Page 3
Contributed by: JANM

Page 4

Includes:

- On the Scene:

     * Long March Harassed (continued)

     * Dumping on Nixon

     * The Grassroots: Southwest Community Council

     * Omai Faatasi Storefront: Coming Together

     * Manzanar: 1974

GIDRA 1974 - Page 4
Contributed by: JANM

Page 5

Includes:

- "The Final Venomouse Jabberwocky: Feverish Grunts on the Movement and The Word" by Bruce Iwasaki

GIDRA 1974 - Page 5
Contributed by: JANM

Page 6

Includes:

- "Funk and Soul on the Koto" by June Okida Kuramoto with Evelyn Yoshimura.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 6
Contributed by: JANM

Page 7

Includes:

- "Funk and Soul on the Koto" (continued) by June Okida Kuramoto with Evelyn Yoshimura.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 7
Contributed by: JANM

Page 8

Includes:

- "Funk and Soul on the Koto" (continued) by June Okida Kuramoto with Evelyn Yoshimura. Includes illustration by Dan Kuramoto.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 8
Contributed by: JANM

Page 9

Includes:

- "Raga" by Song Fong

- "Muse" poem by Bruce Iwasaki

- "sandman" poem by Laura Tokunaga

GIDRA 1974 - Page 9
Contributed by: JANM

Page 13

Includes:

- "The Prisons and the Asian American" by Judy Chu

GIDRA 1974 - Page 13
Contributed by: JANM

Page 14

Includes:

- "The Prisons and the Asian American" by Judy Chu (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 14
Contributed by: JANM

Page 16

Includes:

- "The Hitchhike" fiction by Mike Yamamoto (continued) with illustration by Takemoto

GIDRA 1974 - Page 16
Contributed by: JANM

Page 17

Includes:

- "Shots" photography by Alan Ohashi & Ed Ikuta

GIDRA 1974 - Page 17
Contributed by: JANM

Page 18

Includes:

- "Shots" photography by Alan Ohashi & Ed Ikuta (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 18
Contributed by: JANM

Page 19

Includes:

- "Shots" photography by Alan Ohashi & Ed Ikuta (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 19
Contributed by: JANM

Page 21

Includes:

- "Where Do We Go From Here?" by Mo Nishida (continued)

- "Ode to our partners" by Marc/Tien de Harlem, NY

- 2 more poems

GIDRA 1974 - Page 21
Contributed by: JANM

Page 23

Includes:

- "Ain't I a Woman?" by Linda Iwataki Omori (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 23
Contributed by: JANM

Page 24

Includes:

- "Ain't I a Woman?" by Linda Iwataki Omori (continued)

- "Sister, Para Nuestra Hermanas" poem

GIDRA 1974 - Page 24
Contributed by: JANM

Page 25

Includes:

- "Minamiji's Things" illustration by Ken Minamiji

GIDRA 1974 - Page 25
Contributed by: JANM

Page 27

Includes:

- "Kelso Hashimoto" fiction by Alan Ota (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 27
Contributed by: JANM

Page 28

Includes:

- “People: We’re All Human—A look at movement standards” by Doug Aihara

- “I Believe” poetry by Doug

- “The City” poetry by Doug

GIDRA 1974 - Page 28
Contributed by: JANM

Page 29

Includes:

- “There”s a Tunnel at the End of the Tunnel—The War Drags On” by Tom Hayden

GIDRA 1974 - Page 29
Contributed by: JANM

Page 30

Includes:

- “There”s a Tunnel at the End of the Tunnel—The War Drags On” by Tom Hayden (continued)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 30
Contributed by: JANM

Page 31

Includes:

- “There”s a Tunnel at the End of the Tunnel—The War Drags On” by Tom Hayden (continued)

- “Twelve Thoughts on Becoming Extinct” poetry by Marsha Takayanagi about outmarriage

GIDRA 1974 - Page 31
Contributed by: JANM

Page 32

Includes:

- "Gidra Graphics" - cartoons by Glen Iwasaki and Mike Murase

GIDRA 1974 - Page 32
Contributed by: JANM

Page 33

Includes:

- "Gidra Graphics" (continued) - cartoon and photo 

GIDRA 1974 - Page 33
Contributed by: JANM

Page 34

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 1) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication, includes reproductions of page 1 & 2 from the very first issue.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 34
Contributed by: JANM

Page 35

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 34) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication, includes reproductions of page 3 & 4 from the very first issue.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 35
Contributed by: JANM

Page 36

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 35) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) Demonstration against Hayakawa at Disneyland (April, 1969) by M. Murase

  2) Van Troi Anti-Imperialist Youth Brigade at the Nisei Week parade burning …

GIDRA 1974 - Page 36
Contributed by: JANM

Page 37

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 36) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photo: Pat Sumi addresses Asian Strike Committee rally at UCLA (May 1970) by M. Murase

GIDRA 1974 - Page 37
Contributed by: JANM

Page 38

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 37) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) Children at Coliseum Street School (June 1969) by M. Murase

  2) Community Day in Little Tokyo (June 1971) by A. Ohashi

GIDRA 1974 - Page 38
Contributed by: JANM

Page 39

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 38) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) Anti-war demonstration in San Francisco (December 1969) by R. Okamura

  2) San Francisco Chinatown (March 1970) by G. Hayashi

  3) Dancing …

GIDRA 1974 - Page 39
Contributed by: JANM

Page 40

Includes:

- “Gidra people” - the left half of a full-page spread photograph of Gidra staff with a listing of their names.

  On this page are pictured: Jeff Furumura, Linda Fujikawa, Evelyn Yoshimura, Bruce Iwasaki, Alan Ota, Alan Takemoto

GIDRA 1974 - Page 40
Contributed by: JANM

Page 41

Includes:

- “Gidra people” - the right half of a full-page spread photograph of Gidra staff with a listing of their names.

  On this page are pictured: Glen Iwasaki, Dean Toji, Steve Tatsukawa, Doug Aihara, David Monkawa, Carrie Furuya, and Mike Murase.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 41
Contributed by: JANM

Page 42

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 39) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) Asian American contingent marching down Wilshire Boulevard as part of nation-wide demonstration against the [Vietnam] war (April 22, 1972) by M. Murase

  …

GIDRA 1974 - Page 42
Contributed by: JANM

Page 43

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 42) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) People dancing at the park to celebrate a “community union” (1972) by M. Murase

  2) Tourists and residents of Little Tokyo (March …

GIDRA 1974 - Page 43
Contributed by: JANM

Page 44

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 43) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Illustrations/cartoons by: David Monkawa, Dean Toji, Alan Takemoto, Glen Iwasaki

GIDRA 1974 - Page 44
Contributed by: JANM

Page 45

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 44) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

- Photos:

  1) Participants at the Fourth Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage rally around signs of ten World War II concentration camps (April 14, 1973) by E. Ikuta

GIDRA 1974 - Page 45
Contributed by: JANM

Page 46

Includes:

- “Toward Barefoot Journalism” (continued from page 45 - final page) by Mike Murase reflecting on Gidra’s 5-year life and the decision to suspend publication.

GIDRA 1974 - Page 46
Contributed by: JANM

Page 47

Includes:

- “What Gidra Means to Me” by Gidra Staff

- “An ‘Old Staffer’ Reflects” by Seigo Hayashi

GIDRA 1974 - Page 47
Contributed by: JANM

Page 48

Includes:

- “On Strike! Shut It Down!” edited from The Guardian, Hawaii Bureau about Hawaii’s plantation strikes

GIDRA 1974 - Page 48
Contributed by: JANM

Page 49

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

- Illustration by Glen Iwasaki

GIDRA 1974 - Page 49
Contributed by: JANM

Page 50

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

GIDRA 1974 - Page 50
Contributed by: JANM

Page 51

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 50) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

- Illustration

GIDRA 1974 - Page 51
Contributed by: JANM

Page 52

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 51) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

- Illustration

GIDRA 1974 - Page 52
Contributed by: JANM

Page 53

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 52) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

GIDRA 1974 - Page 53
Contributed by: JANM

Page 54

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 53) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

- Illustration

GIDRA 1974 - Page 54
Contributed by: JANM

Page 55

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 54) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

GIDRA 1974 - Page 55
Contributed by: JANM

Page 56

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 55) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

GIDRA 1974 - Page 56
Contributed by: JANM

Page 57

Includes:

- “Cruising on Peruvian Flake: In Search of Truth and Soul on the West Coast” (continued from page 56 - last page) fiction by Steve Tatsukawa

- Illustration

GIDRA 1974 - Page 57
Contributed by: JANM

Page 59

Includes:

- “Drawings” (continued from page 58) by Alan Takemoto

GIDRA 1974 - Page 59
Contributed by: JANM

Page 60

Includes:

- “Drawings” (continued from page 59) by Alan Takemoto

GIDRA 1974 - Page 60
Contributed by: JANM

Page 61

Includes:

- “Colonized Mentality” by JACS Writing Team

GIDRA 1974 - Page 61
Contributed by: JANM

Page 62

Includes:

- “Colonized Mentality” (continued from page 61) by JACS Writing Team

GIDRA 1974 - Page 62
Contributed by: JANM

Page 63

Includes:

- “Colonized Mentality” (continued from page 62) by JACS Philosophy Writing Team

GIDRA 1974 - Page 63
Contributed by: JANM

Page 64

Includes:

- “Colonized Mentality” (continued from page 63) by JACS Philosophy Writing Team

- Poetry:

  * “Balikhayan” by Philip V. Vera Cruz

  * “Crashing Through” by Anon. Sansei

  * “Abortion” by Mei Berssenbrugge (copyright 1973)

  * Untitled by Mei Berssenbrugge (copyright 1973)

  * “Liberation” by John Tanaka

  * “garuda” …

GIDRA 1974 - Page 64
Contributed by: JANM

Page 65

Includes:

- “A Letter to a Community Worker” by Shin'ya Ono

GIDRA 1974 - Page 65
Contributed by: JANM

Page 66

Includes:

- “Third World People: Shoulder to Shoulder”—A Historical Basis for Third World Unity by Pat Sumi

GIDRA 1974 - Page 66
Contributed by: JANM

Page 67

Includes:

- “The Korean People” by Sam Rhee

- “Third World People: Shoulder to Shoulder”—A Historical Basis for Third World Unity by Pat Sumi (continued from page 66)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 67
Contributed by: JANM

Page 68

Includes:

- “The Arrow” graphic art by Richard Tokunaga

GIDRA 1974 - Page 68
Contributed by: JANM

Page 69

Includes:

- “Cable TV Meets the Community” by Duane Kubo & Eddie Wong

GIDRA 1974 - Page 69
Contributed by: JANM

Page 70

Includes:

- “Cable TV Meets the Community” (continued from page 69) by Duane Kubo & Eddie Wong 

GIDRA 1974 - Page 70
Contributed by: JANM

Page 71

Includes:

- “Cable TV Meets the Community” (continued from page 70) by Duane Kubo & Eddie Wong 

GIDRA 1974 - Page 71
Contributed by: JANM

Page 73

Includes:

- “Gidra Graphics” (continued from page 72) by Various Artists

GIDRA 1974 - Page 73
Contributed by: JANM

Page 74

Includes:

- “At the Stronghold” poetry by Lawson Inada

GIDRA 1974 - Page 74
Contributed by: JANM

Page 75

Includes:

- “At the Stronghold” poetry by Lawson Inada (continued from page 74)

GIDRA 1974 - Page 75
Contributed by: JANM

Page 76

Includes:

- “Agape Fellowship—the new Christian community” by Bill Watanabe

GIDRA 1974 - Page 76
Contributed by: JANM

Page 77

Includes:

- “Lessons in Community Organizing” by Jerry Wong

GIDRA 1974 - Page 77
Contributed by: JANM

Page 78

Includes:

- “Gidra Thanks” by Gidra Staff

- assorted ads

GIDRA 1974 - Page 78
Contributed by: JANM


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