Vincent Chin was killed 40 years ago. Here's why his case continues to resonate

Activist and author Helen Zia stands next to a painting of Vincent Chin in Detroit. The city is partnering with The Vincent Chin 40th Remembrance & Rededication Coalition to honor civil rights efforts that began with Chin's killing in 1982. (Corey Williams)/AP)

Forty years ago, 27-year-old Vincent Chin was enjoying a night out with his friends in Detroit. It was meant to be a celebration ahead of Chin's upcoming marriage, but he didn't make it to the wedding. That night he was beaten to death by two white men who worked in the auto industry and, according to witnesses, were angry over what they perceived as the loss of American jobs to Japanese imports.

The men targeted Chin because he was Asian – not knowing he was Chinese American, not Japanese. The killing galvanized Asian Americans across the entire country to fight for civil rights. It's a battle that continues today.