Gidra Collection
- Emily Pan
- Apr 12
- 1 min read
Gidra was a pioneering Asian American political magazine published from 1969 to 1974 in Los Angeles, California. The publication emerged during the Asian American Movement and played a crucial role in developing Asian American identity and political consciousness.
Gidra was founded by UCLA students as the self-described "voice of the Asian American movement" and featured a mix of political commentary, community news, poetry, artwork, and cultural analysis. It frequently addressed issues such as anti-Vietnam War activism, racial discrimination, labor struggles, and identity politics, and aimed to highlight the diverse experiences of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and other Asian American communities. The newspaper became a platform for developing pan-Asian American solidarity and consciousness, featuring work from notable Asian American activists, writers, and artists. Specifically, it helped document grassroots organizing efforts in Asian American communities.
Gidra's archives represent an important historical resource for understanding the development of Asian American activism, identity formation, and community organizing during a pivotal period in American history. The collection provides valuable insights into how Asian Americans responded to and participated in broader social justice movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Gidra collection is a compilation of photos, newspaper articles, and primary sources that documents and digitizes these valuable assests. Check out the Gidra Collection: https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-297/.
