"Yellow Peril Supports Black Power"

The slogan “Yellow Peril Supports Black Power” has played an important part in our nation’s history. In 2020, Asian Americans adopted this phrase to express unity and support for the Black Lives Matter movement. This has brought activists to recently criticize its usage by arguing that the slogan diminishes the significance of the movement by conflating the struggles of Asian Americans with those of the Black community. 

The term “yellow peril” first originated in the 1800s. During this time in U.S. history, Chinese laborers were being brought to America to replace recently emancipated Black people as a cheap source of labor. It became evident that Chinese laborers were making less than their white counterparts and soon became one of the first victims of racist backlash from white workers who saw them as a threat to their livelihood. In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed and became the first law to restrict immigration based on race. 

Then, in the 1960s, the phrase “Yellow Peril Supports Black Power” started being used by students at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and University of California Berkeley when they formed a Third World Liberation Front to fight injustices in campus life, admissions, and the lives of students of color. The group was composed of SFSU’s Black Student Union, the Mexican American Student Confederation, the Asian-American Political Alliance, and the Native American Student Alliance. Through this coalition, students banded together to form and establish better academic studies and reclaimed the term “Yellow Peril” to use for empowerment. Richard Aoki became the only Asian American to hold leadership in the Black Panther organization. This organization was founded in 1966 in Oakland, California and was very influential in the Civil Rights Movement. The members challenged politicians, police, and protected Black citizens from brutality. 

However, today, this slogan is causing lots of controversy since the meaning and empowerment of the term is not the same as it was in the 60s. Connie Wun, co-founder and executive director of AAPI Women Lead, states, “We need to consider the fact that today there are a lot more Asian Americans who don’t identity as yellow, or East Asian, so the term ‘yellow peril’ isn’t inclusive.’” However, author Kat Chow takes pride in being considered “yellow.” She describes that “having yellow in my arsenal makes me feel like my identity doesn’t hinge on just one thing–one phrase, one history or one experience.” 

Asian Americans might not have battled the same injustices as Black Americans have. However, because they have experienced racism and injustices in the past and present, they see this as a chance not to divide minority groups but as an opportunity to band together to fight for the same cause: to fix the same system that keeps these communities from thriving. It must be noted that the history behind this movement must be taken into consideration when we talk about “Yellow Peril Supports Black Power.” The slogan echoes the struggles and solidarity of marginalized communities. It sparks contentious debate and reflects on the evolving complexities of identity and activism in our society. However, as our perceptions and experiences change and race continues to evolve, it is imperative to consider and understand our history’s nuances and the interconnected struggles against systemic injustices in all communities.