The Japanese American National Museum Decries Racist Rhetoric Against Asian American Business Leaders in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) decries racist rhetoric against Walter Wang, CEO of Los Angeles-based pipe manufacturer JM Eagle, Dominic Ng, the CEO of East West Bank, and other Asian American business leaders in Los Angeles. A conservative news outlet recently published a story that wrongfully accused Wang, Ng, and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti of supporting the Chinese Communist Party. It is part of the outlet’s false narrative that Chinese and Taiwanese Americans connected to China are involved with un-American activities. In turn, it is part of America’s long history of anti-Asian racism—including the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans.

“Racist claims like this are fuel for anti-Asian hate in Los Angeles and across the nation. Calling into question Mr. Wang’s and Mr. Ng’s loyalty—and that of any other Asian Americans conducting business with China—are part of the systemic racism used to discriminate against Asian Americans in the US. We cannot let these attacks go unchecked,” said Ann Burroughs, President and CEO of JANM.

As part of JANM’s commitment to combat anti-Asian hate and promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity, the Museum provides resources like An American Vocabulary: Words to Action, a project that invites everyone to participate in a shared vocabulary of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander agency and unity in the fight for justice, healing, and understanding. 

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