Corky Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corky Lee
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Lee in 2019
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Lee Young Kwok (李揚國)
September 5, 1947 Queens, New York City, U.S.
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| Died | January 27, 2021 (aged 73) Queens, New York City, U.S.
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Corky Lee (born Young Kwok Lee, September 5, 1947 – January 27, 2021) was a Chinese-American activist, community organizer, and photographer. He was known as the "unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate." Corky Lee used his camera to fight against unfairness and show the true stories of Asian Americans. He wanted to make sure their history was a clear part of American history.
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Early Life and His Camera's Start
Corky Lee was born on September 5, 1947, in Queens, New York City. His parents came to the United States from China. His father ran a laundry business, and his mother worked as a seamstress.
Corky Lee taught himself how to take pictures. He often borrowed cameras because he could not afford his own. He was inspired by an old photo from 1869. This photo showed the completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah. Thousands of Chinese workers helped build this railroad. However, the famous photo did not show any of them. This made Corky Lee want to use his camera to make sure all people were seen and remembered.
Corky Lee's Powerful Photographs
Corky Lee's photos captured important moments in Asian American history. He used his camera to bring attention to unfair situations.
Fighting for Justice with His Lens
In 1975, Corky Lee took a powerful photo. It showed a Chinese American man being treated unfairly by police officers in New York City. When this picture was published, about 20,000 people marched. They walked from Chinatown to City Hall to protest against this unfair treatment.
Lee also photographed the protests after the tragic killing of Vincent Chin in 1982. Vincent Chin was a young Chinese American man in Detroit. He was attacked because people mistook him for being Japanese. This happened when some people blamed Japanese companies for job losses in the American auto industry. Corky Lee's photos helped show the world the injustice of this event.
Making the Invisible Visible
Corky Lee called himself the "unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate." This title meant he was the main photographer for the Asian American community. He documented the everyday lives of Asian Americans. He also captured big historical moments.
He believed his camera was like a sword. He used it to fight against racism and unfairness. He wanted to make sure that minority cultures and communities were seen and remembered. He helped show the world stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
A writer named Han Zhang said that Corky Lee was like a special photographer for Chinatown. He was similar to other famous photographers who captured the spirit of their communities.
Later Years and Legacy
On May 5, 1988, David Dinkins, who was the mayor of New York City at the time, declared it "Corky Lee Day." This was to honor Corky Lee's important work for the communities of New York City.
Corky Lee regularly shared his photos with local newspapers. These included Downtown Express and The Villager. He did this throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Corky Lee passed away on January 27, 2021, at the age of 73. He had become ill, possibly while helping protect Chinatown from anti-Asian violence. His work continues to inspire people today.
Awards and Recognition
- 1993, Photographer-Artist-in-Residence Award, Syracuse University
- 1993, Special Recognition Award, Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
- 2002, New York Press Association Award
- 2002, Artist-In-Residence, New York University's Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program & Institute
- 2008, Pioneer Award, Organization of Chinese Americans
- 2009, Susan Ahn Award for Civil Rights and Social Justice for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Asian American Journalists Association
- 2014, UC Regents Lecturer, University of California, Los Angeles Asian American Studies Center and Department & Luskin School of Public Affairs Urban Planning Department
See also
In Spanish: Corky Lee para niños
