The Japanese American National Museum Denounces Racist Remarks from the Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) is gravely concerned by the offensive tropes designed to mock Asian languages that Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon uttered during a commencement ceremony on December 10, 2022. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee released a letter demanding Keon’s resignation and has yet to hear from him.

“As the public face and leader of the university, Keon was responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone—students, faculty, parents, family, friends—is respected as they celebrate a momentous milestone together. His mockery of Asian languages violated that and insulted the university’s entire Asian Pacific American population. Bigotry and prejudice have no place in public life and especially not in centers of learning. We add our voice to calls for his immediate resignation,” said Ann Burroughs, President and CEO.

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