Mineo Katagiri facts for kids
Mineo Katagiri (born August 1, 1919 – died November 15, 2005) was a Japanese-American social activist. He worked hard for racial equality, which means treating all people fairly, no matter their race. He was also a minister for the United Church of Christ.
Early Life and Education
Mineo Katagiri was born in Haleiwa, Hawaii on August 1, 1919.
When he was a student at the University of Hawaii, he became the president of the university's YMCA group. He finished his studies there in 1941. After that, he went on to get a degree in theology (the study of religion) from the Union Theological Seminary in 1944.
Working for Change
After graduating, Katagiri started working with leaders of labor unions. These unions help workers get fair pay and good working conditions. He helped unite white, Black, and Japanese-American workers at Seabrook Farms. Many Japanese Americans who had been held in internment camps during World War II worked there as they returned to normal life.
Later, Katagiri taught at Doshisha University in Japan.
In 1959, he moved to Seattle. There, he became the campus minister at the University of Washington. In 1969, he started a group called the Asian Coalition for Equality. This group aimed to bring Asian Americans together to fight against unfair treatment. They also worked to support civil rights for all people, alongside African Americans. Katagiri always believed in equal rights and fairness for everyone.
He then moved to New York City in 1970. He worked for the United Church of Christ as their director of mission priorities. From 1975 to 1984, he led the church's Northern California Conference. During this time, he worked with Angel Taglucop and Erasto Arenas. Together, they helped set up church groups and support systems for the Filipino community in San Francisco.
Mineo Katagiri passed away in 2005 after a fall while he was golfing.
