The executive orders signed by President Donald Trump to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from the federal government and conduct mass deportations has angered minority communities and nonprofit entities across the country.
One of the loudest protestors against Trump’s policies is the board of trustees of the Japanese American National Museum, who have issued several strongly worded statements criticizing the president’s actions “to systematically dismantle pillars of diversity and democracy.”
In addition, the organization has reaffirmed its commitment to “continue to speak out against policies that erode civil rights, deny people their humanity, and attempt to undo decades of progress toward justice, equity, and inclusion.”
JANM Board Chair William “Bill” Fujioka compared the president’s actions to the unjust removal of Japanese Americans to internment camps in 1942.
Explaining the parallel, Fujioka said, “Back in 1942 when the Japanese were sent to camps, 125,000 individuals of Japanese heritage – 60% were American citizens – were put behind barbed wire without due process. There was no court trial and that’s happening right now with immigrants. So, I think it’s imperative for each one of us to speak up.
“Some people think it’s predominantly Latino immigrants [being affected], but this administration is going after African Americans, they’re going after Asian Americans, they’re going after everybody!”
One reason Fujioka is so passionate and committed is because his family experienced life in the internment camps. His grandfather was an immigrant, but Fujioka’s father was born in the U.SA. in 1921 and even enlisted in the U.S. Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
While his family grew up in Boyle Heights, they weren’t exempted from the government’s actions. As Fujioka recalled, “They just forced them on the buses and took them to these camps where they stayed for about four years. The majority of families lost everything.
“That’s why as grandchildren or children of people who were incarcerated, we feel strongly that we have to stand up and support other minority communities.”
Fujioka’s firm stance also encompasses DEI. In a statement, he and JANM board of trustees emphasized that “the systematic dismantling of diversity initiatives…strip people of their humanity and dignity and reverse course on our nation’s journey towards a more just and equitable future.”
According to Fujioka, JANM’s viewpoint of DEI “is not political because diversity is our community.” Like African Americans, Japanese Americans can be found in families of every ethnicity.
“Equity is guaranteed in the Constitution and then inclusion is what we should be doing as Americans. America should be a very inclusive society. It should embrace everyone who lives in this country. Again, that should not be viewed through a political lens,” he said.
Considering his long career in government service, Fujioka can recognize when issues are influenced by politics. His positions as chief administrative officer for the City of Los Angeles and chief executive officer for the County of Los Angeles required that he work closely with elected officials to deftly balance their desires with the needs of the community.
Those experiences continue to serve him well as he and JANM stand firm against attacks on civil rights and DEI even though the museum expects to lose $1.45 million in funding that JANM was approved to receive from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“Now, more so than ever, there’s a need for ethnic, cultural, religious, all communities, to join together to fight this madness,” insisted Fujioka. “We need to stand together. We need to be holding hands. At JANM, we’re going to fight for all communities.
The Japanese American National Museum is located at 100 N. Central Avenue in the Little Toyko District of Los Angeles. To learn more, visit janm.org.
