On November 1, 2023, the world lost a remarkable advocate for healthcare reform and social justice. Ady Barkan, an inspirational activist who tirelessly fought for universal healthcare and other reforms in America’s healthcare system, passed away at the age of 39 in a Santa Barbara, California hospital.
Advertisement
Ady Barkan’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to social justice, even as he battled the debilitating effects of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Ady Barkan’s Struggle with ALS
Ady Barkan’s journey as an activist and his courageous battle with ALS made him a symbol of resilience and determination. ALS is a degenerative disease that gradually robs individuals of their ability to move and speak. Liz Jaff, co-founder of the political advocacy group Be a Hero, confirmed that complications from ALS were the cause of Ady Barkan’s passing.
Early Activism and Recognition
Before his ALS diagnosis, Ady Barkan had already established himself as a formidable force in American politics. A Yale-trained lawyer, he initially worked on causes such as improving housing for low-income Americans and strengthening immigration protections.
In 2016, Politico recognized him as one of the most influential figures in American politics, thanks to his efforts to reform the country’s banking system. Barkan’s argument that the Federal Reserve did not adequately address the needs of working people highlighted his commitment to social and economic justice.
A Personal Reckoning
The same year he received influential recognition from Politico, Ady Barkan received the devastating diagnosis of ALS. This diagnosis forced him into a personal reckoning as he grappled with the challenges of living with a terminal illness. However, he quickly recognized that his illness could be a powerful tool to engage policymakers, who often ignored activists’ pleas for healthcare reform.
Advertisement
A Life of Advocacy
Ady Barkan’s life was characterized by his dedication to progressive values and social justice. He had a history of political involvement, having campaigned for Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) in 2000. His political identity initially leaned towards being a centrist Democrat, but his disillusionment with America’s political system deepened after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which revealed the need for more progressive reforms.
Barkan’s educational background included a bachelor’s degree in economics from Columbia University in 2006 and graduation from Yale Law School in 2010. He worked for the Center for Popular Democracy, a progressive advocacy organization, before launching Be a Hero.
Leaving a Legacy
Ady Barkan’s legacy extends far beyond his lifetime. He authored a memoir in 2019 titled “Eyes to the Wind: A Memoir of Love and Death, Hope and Resistance,” and was the focus of the 2021 documentary “Not Going Quietly.” These works and his tireless activism serve as a lasting testament to the power of determination and the capacity of one individual to bring about change.
Survivors and Impact
Ady Barkan’s impact on society is immeasurable, and he leaves behind a family and a network of friends who shared his vision for a more just and equitable world.
His wife, Rachael King, an associate professor of English literature at the University of California at Santa Barbara, along with their two children, Carl and Willow, continue to carry his legacy forward.
His parents, Diana Kormos Buchwald and Jed Buchwald, both professors of the history of science at the California Institute of Technology, and Elazar Barkan, a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia, along with his stepmother, Pamela Smith, a history professor at Columbia, also mourn his loss.
Leave a Reply