All Of It (WNYC) – April 10, 2024

Episode: A Retrospective of Photographer Corky Lee's Work Documenting Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
Host: Khusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: May Nye, Professor, Columbia University, Co-editor of Corky Lee’s Asian America: 50 Years of Photographic Justice

Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It is a moving tribute and deep dive into the life, work, and enduring legacy of Corky Lee, a legendary photographer and activist renowned for his half-century documentation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Host Khusha Navadar interviews May Nye, a longtime friend of Lee and co-editor of his definitive photo collection, about Lee’s pivotal role in archiving social movements, everyday life, and community transformations within New York and beyond from the 1970s through the 2020s.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Corky Lee’s Place in New York’s Social Movements & Community (02:14–06:16)

• Activist Roots: Corky and May Nye were both active in the emerging Asian American movement in 1970s Chinatown, considered “young radicals...making good trouble all over Chinatown” (May Nye, 04:36).
• Corky's Ubiquity: Lee attended and photographed virtually every significant AAPI event for five decades, becoming “a fixture” whose “commitment...was really extraordinary” (May Nye, 04:56).
• Unpaid Labor of Love: Lee's tireless documentation wasn't a paid profession; he often covered multiple events per day after his regular job, especially during APA Heritage Month (May Nye, 06:01).

2. The Genesis and Structure of the Book (06:16–08:38)

• How the Book Came About: An Asian American editor at Penguin Random House catalyzed the project by contacting Lee’s brother, highlighting the importance of diversity in publishing (May Nye, 06:33).
• Selection of Photos: The book began with 100 images curated by Lee in 2011, then added selections from exhibitions, community collaborations, and never-before-seen archival shots—aiming to “stay true to what Corky thought should have been in his book” (May Nye, 07:56).
• Supplementary Essays: Contributions from friends and colleagues offer personal memories and broader social context.

3. Family Influence and Historical Context (08:38–12:03)

• Immigrant Heritage: Lee was the son of a WWII veteran and hand laundryman in Queens, himself a “paper son” who circumvented the Chinese Exclusion laws (May Nye, 09:47).
• Unique Generational Position: Lee and his brothers were born at the “hinge in history” at the tail end of Chinese exclusion and witnessed sweeping transformations post-1965 immigration reform, embodying both observer and participant roles (May Nye, 11:22).
• “ABC from NYC”: Both Lee and Nye identified as American-born Chinese from New York City, situating their perspective within a specific generational and locational identity (May Nye, 11:43).

4. Balancing Activism and Documentation (12:03–13:05)

• Behind the Lens, Within the Movement: Lee’s “half a step back” positioning as a photographer enabled him both to participate and remain above factional disputes, maintaining an “ecumenical view of the movement” (May Nye, 12:42).

5. Early Activism and Use of Photography (13:05–15:09)

• Beginnings in Chinatown (Late 1960s–Early 1970s):
  • Drafted as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, Lee worked at a local social service organization and initially borrowed a camera to document poor living conditions in tenements (May Nye, 13:23).
  • Involvement with the Asian Media Collective and Basement Workshop fostered his early photo documentation and educational slide presentations for schools and community groups.

6. Evolution of Focus and Community Coverage (15:09–17:17)

• From Neighborhood Fairs to Pan-Ethnic Tapestry:
  • Lee not only organized and photographed health fairs and street festivals but also chronicled everyday street life, capturing profound demographic transformation in Chinatown.
  • He documented events across the Asian diaspora, such as Japanese American Days of Remembrance, Philippine Independence Day, and more, illustrating the demographic “explosion of ethnic diversity” post-1965 (May Nye, 17:36).

7. Expanding Definition of Asian America (17:17–18:24)

• Changing AAPI Demographics: Immigration reform prompted increased migration, expanding the scope of Lee’s work to include a diversity of Asian groups in America (May Nye, 17:36).

8. Iconic Images and Moments (18:24–20:03)

• After 9/11: Lee sensitively captured the impact of racist backlash on Sikh and Muslim communities, Chinatown’s economic devastation, and moments of patriotic affirmation (e.g., images of Sikh Americans draped in US flags) (May Nye, 18:24, 19:26).
  • Quote: “Corky loved to photograph Asian Americans with American flags...he liked to show that Asian Americans had an Asian identity and an American identity. And Corky himself believed that he was a patriot.” (May Nye, 19:26)

9. Documenting the Pandemic and Rising Anti-Asian Hate (20:03–22:02)

• Chinatown during COVID-19:
  • Lee chronicled the emptiness of shuttered streets and restaurants, small moments of resilience (e.g., street vendors, community patrols), and resistance against rising anti-Asian violence.
  • Memorable Photo: Series of people posed in front of their favorite shuttered restaurants, conveying “how the community was struggling” (May Nye, 20:24–21:54).

10. Personal Impact & Lasting Legacy (22:02–24:17)

• Favorite Images: Nye’s personal favorites are Lee’s 1970s snapshots of “ordinary people...living their lives,” reflecting Lee’s aim: “I want to show Chinatown as a real place with real people, not a tourist drive-by. Real people with real concerns.” (May Nye, 22:15)
• Historical Narrative: The book’s chronological arc provides a “visual narrative of the Asian American movement from 1970–2020,” and “that’s something that I hope this book can contribute... not only for people to enjoy and think about these pictures, but also think about the broad history that they represent.” (May Nye, 23:00–24:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Commitment:
  “He did this out of love. And sometimes... he would photograph two or three events a day after he got off work.”
  — May Nye (05:52)

• On Diversity in Publishing:
  “This is why diversity in publishing is important, because she knew who Corky was.”
  — May Nye (06:40)

• On Community Organizing:
  “There’s probably three people on the planet who know how to close [off] Mott Street. Corky knew how to do that.”
  — May Nye (15:41)

• On Patriotism:
  “He liked to show that Asian Americans had an Asian identity and an American identity. And Corky himself believed that he was a patriot.”
  — May Nye (19:26)

• On Representation:
  “I want to show Chinatown as a real place with real people—not a tourist drive by. Real people with real concerns.”
  — May Nye, quoting Corky Lee (22:38)

Key Timestamps

• [02:14] – Introduction to Corky Lee’s legacy and book
• [04:36] – May Nye describes Corky as an activist and fixture in NYC’s AAPI community
• [06:33] – The impetus and process for compiling Lee’s photo collection
• [09:47] – Lee’s family background and historical context
• [13:23] – Lee’s early activism and first use of photography in Chinatown
• [17:36] – Changing demographics and pan-Asian coverage
• [18:24] – Impact of 9/11 and Lee’s patriotic imagery
• [20:24] – Lee’s pandemic-era photography in Chinatown
• [22:15] – Nye reflects on her favorite Lee images and his documentary ethos
• [23:00–24:17] – On the book’s historical narrative and lasting contribution

Episode Tone

The conversation is warm, deeply informed, and reverential, blending personal anecdotes with historical analysis. May Nye’s tone is reflective, passionate, and thoughtful—echoing Corky Lee’s own commitment and sense of purpose as both an insider and observer of Asian American history.

Summary

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the intersections of activism, art, and community chronicle. It provides both a celebration of Corky Lee’s immeasurable contributions and a critical reminder of the stories—not just the headlines, but the everyday lived experiences—that shape and sustain New York’s (and America’s) cultural fabric.