Gidra

The first of its kind, Gidra was created by UCLA students Dinora Gil, Laura Ho, Tracy Okida, Colin Watanabe, and Mike Murase. It offered a thoughtful analysis of American culture via graphic art, poetry, journalism, and provocative political commentary. Although the publication only comprised 59 issues, Gidra, the self-proclaimed “voice of the Asian American movement,” set a precedent for Asian American activism and remains influential to this day. Throughout its five-year run, Gidra expressed a strong stance against the war in Vietnam. "We as Asian Americans should feel an even greater commitment to the cause of peace," ran a 1969 editorial. "Our brothers are killing and dying on both sides of a senseless war. We should feel the horror and disgust when we hear that over 100 Asians have been slaughtered at My Lai. But as American citizens, we must also bear the guilt that we allowed this to happen."