About 100 people converged on the YWCA Laniakea Tuesday on May 1, to celebrate and embrace the life of Vincent Chin with a special screeening of the documentary “Vincent Who” which was directed by Curtin Chin, Vincent Chins younger cousin. Chin, an Asian American man was beaten to death in 1982, by two intoxicated prejudice white males. Ronald Ebens and his stepson Michael Nitz who had been fired from their auto plants beat Chin to death with a baseball bat. The attack caused a feeling of anxiety across the city of Los Angeles with the release of both men on bail and a 3,000 fine as punishment. Asian-American’s were left distraught and shocked in the Los Angeles community, were so disturbed they created the ACJ, a pan Asian-American activist group that rallied to demand a retrial. Nothing happened to the two men and eventually all charges were dropped because they left the country.
“It was like a lynching,” said Jim Shimoura.
In todays world, murdering someone is worth 25 years to life in question of how cruel the crime is ruled. This crime committed toward Chin created such a stir that it is still remembered and honored today. Groups like the Asian American Journalists Association help publicize the Vincent Chin story and fight prejudice. The AAJA is an association that began in 1981 with 30 Asian American journalists.
“The more we bring down racism and take a stand against prejudice people the better this world will get,” said Sean Ibarra a board member of the AAJA.
Following the movie director, Curtis Chin spoke took the podium and delivered a speech to the audience, in which he thanked Hawaii and the YWCA for promoting “Vincent Who”. The YWCA is one of the oldest and largest women’s organization brought up to eliminate racism as well as empowering women.
“I have been to over 250 colleges in last four months promoting “Vince Who” as well as showing the country how the Asian American has changed and became stronger,” said Curtis Chin.
Vincent Chin taught people how to respond towards adversity and stand up for their rights as well as their culture. His case became so popular that it is still remembered and honored today, 30 years later.
“It’s not fair,” said Vincent Chin.
These were Chin’s last words before he died in 1982. If he only knew how much those words changed the world today and how many associations and groups were made up in his name. Curtis Chin was only a little boy when his cousin Vincent Chin died, and he had the honor of make a movie on him and showing it around the world 30 years later.