California Bill Proposes Official ‘bruce Lee Day’ To Honor Martial Arts Legend

California whitethorn soon person an charismatic time dedicated to nan astir influential martial creator successful history. Assembly personnel Matt Haney has introduced measure AB 2455, which would found May 17 arsenic “Bruce Lee Day” crossed nan state.

If nan measure passes, Lee would beryllium nan first Chinese American to person a commemorative time successful California law. The connection specifically encourages nationalist schools and acquisition centers to clasp exercises that retrieve Lee’s life and his monolithic effect connected nan state’s history.

Why May 17?

The day holds important meaning for nan Lee family. While Bruce Lee was calved successful San Francisco, he spent overmuch of his puerility successful Hong Kong. May 17 marks nan time he returned to San Francisco astatine property 18 to statesman his life successful nan United States.

Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, serves arsenic nan CEO of nan Bruce Lee Foundation. She expressed her family’s gratitude for nan bill, noting that her father’s power goes acold beyond nan metallic screen.

Read more: New Bruce Lee Biography Examines His Role successful Defining Asian America

“From young group who recovered assurance and anticipation successful his philosophy, to families who yet saw themselves represented connected screen, to athletes who still tie connected his teachings of subject and soul strength, his scope is profound,” Shannon Lee said successful a statement. “My begetter was a span betwixt cultures done his courage, and his tone of interracial solidarity remains arsenic applicable arsenic ever.”

Changing nan Game successful Hollywood

Bruce Lee is celebrated for much than conscionable his lightning-fast kicks. Throughout nan 1960s and early 70s, he fought a different benignant of conflict against Hollywood’s constricted and often racist depictions of Asian men. At nan time, Asian actors were mostly relegated to roles arsenic servants aliases villains.

Through hits for illustration The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, and nan legendary Enter nan Dragon, Lee changed really nan world saw Asian lead actors. He besides starred arsenic Kato successful The Green Hornet, a domiciled that made him a family sanction for TV fans.

Lee died successful 1973 astatine nan property of 32, but his power connected action cinema and martial arts remains unmatched. This caller measure intends to guarantee nan adjacent procreation of Californians understands precisely really he changed nan world.