From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement
America in 1982: Japanese car companies are on the rise and believed to be putting U.S. autoworkers out of their jobs. Anti-Asian American sentiment simmers, especially in Detroit. A bar fight turns fatal, leaving a Chinese American man, Vincent Chin, beaten to death at the hands of two white men, autoworker Ronald Ebens and his stepson, Michael Nitz.
Paula Yoo has crafted a searing examination of the killing and the trial and verdicts that followed. When Ebens and Nitz pled guilty to manslaughter and received only a $3,000 fine and three years' probation, the lenient sentence sparked outrage. The protests that followed led to a federal civil rights trial--the first involving a crime against an Asian American--and galvanized what came to be known as the Asian American movement.
Extensively researched from court transcripts, contemporary news accounts, and in-person interviews with key participants, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry is a suspenseful, nuanced, and authoritative portrait of a pivotal moment in civil rights history, and a man who became a symbol against hatred and racism.
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A tremendous feat of both research and writing--and a major contribution to our inspiring and infuriating American story.-- "Steve Sheinkin"
This clear and lucid account, based on in-depth research, superlatively conveys the context and significance of the events.... An accessible and compelling account of a tragedy that resonates through the decades.-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"
Admirably objective.... Yoo discusses the resurgence of anti-Asian attitudes and rhetoric in connection to COVID-19, reinforcing the book's through line that Chin mustn't be forgotten.-- "Booklist (starred review)"
Yoo skillfully retells the life story of Vincent Chin [and] reminds readers of Chin's legacy 'to fight back against hate.'-- "Horn Book Magazine (starred review)"
Suspenseful.... [A] resonant, painstakingly recreated historical account.-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
Readers will be riveted.... Highly recommended for readers interested in social justice nonfiction such as Chris Crowe's Getting Away with Murder and Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy.-- "School Library Journal (starred review)"
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2021
A Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Book of 2021
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021
An NPR Best Book of 2021
A Horn Book Best Book of 2021
[An] extensive examination.... From a Whisper is arguably the most comprehensive overview of the gruesome events and the aftermath of trials, protests, convictions, reversals and civil suits.... Yoo is determined: "not knowing" is no longer an option.-- "Shelf Awareness"
