The recent designation of April 30th as “Jane Fonda Day” in Los Angeles County quickly sparked outrage and demands for its repeal among the region’s large Vietnamese-American community. For them the date marks not a celebration but rather the anniversary of the Fall of Saigon – a painful turning point that brought communist rule to Vietnam. In this article we talk about Vietnamese Reaction to Jane Fonda Day in L.A County – why is it considered significant.
Saigon’s Fall and the Start of a Vietnamese Exodus
April 30, 1975 was the day Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces. It marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a mass exodus of Vietnamese seeking refuge abroad. Many faced imprisonment re-education camps, or even execution at the hands of the communist regime.
The memorie remain raw for Vietnamese-American like state Senator Janet Nguyen. Her uncle a South Vietnamese Army officer was brought before his village and killed after the fall. Her parents were jailed for trying to escape.
For Assemblymember Tri Ta, April 30th brings back memorie of his father’s years in a re-education camp for daring to write books critical of communism.
Stories like these are common among the 2.3 million Vietnamese-Americans living in the U.S. They refer to April 30th as “Black April” and observe it as a solemn day of mourning and remembrance.
So when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor declared the date “Jane Fonda Day” to honor her activism the Vietnamese-American community was deeply offended.
To them Jane Fonda represent something very different. Her controversial 1972 visit to North Vietnam earned her the derogatory nickname “Hanoi Jane.” Photo of her laughing with North Vietnamese soldier and sitting at their anti-aircraft guns caused lasting anger among many Vietnamese refugees and American veterans.
Assemblymembers Call for Reversal of Jane Fonda Day, Citing Offense to Veterans’ Sacrifice
That is why Assemblymembers Tri Ta and Stephanie Nguyen quickly authored a letter decrying the honor as “an affront to the service and sacrifice of American and South Vietnamese soldiers.” Signed by nearly every Republican in the Assembly it urged the supervisors to rescind Jane Fonda Day.
The designation was not meant as an intentional slight according to a spokesperson for the supervisors. The date was simply chosen because it coincided with a regular meeting for issuing proclamations. Nonetheless the board soon voted to rename the occasion out of respect for the Vietnamese-American community.
To many the incident reflects a broader lack of awareness of Vietnamese-American history and sensitivities. Other examples include a 2017 bill to repeal California’s ban on communist government employees. Fierce backlash from Vietnamese refugees forced the legislator to quickly withdraw the bill and issue an apology.
Senator Janet Nguyen now make a point of introducing anti-communism resolutions in the very liberal California legislature. As she explains, escaping communist rule is precisely what allows Vietnamese-Americans to “treasure democracy and freedom” today.
Controversy Surrounding Jane Fonda Day
So while Jane Fonda Day may have been well-intentioned it touched a nerve for California’s over 500,000 Vietnamese-Americans. Black April remain a solemn memorial to the suffering, loss, and sacrifice endured under communism in Vietnam. For many refugee and their families, the painful memorie are still too near. Honoring controversial figure like Jane Fonda on that symbolic date can come across as profoundly disconnect from their communal trauma and identity.
It is only by learning this collective history and perspective that politicians and communities can avoid similar missteps. The outrage over Jane Fonda Day presents a teaching moment and a chance at greater understanding between Vietnamese-Americans and their neighbors. Through open dialogue, commemorations like Black April can perhaps become occasions to acknowledge the past while still envisioning a more inclusive future. I sincerely hope you find this “Vietnamese Reaction to Jane Fonda Day in L.A County – why is it considered significant?” article helpful.
Ruby Arora is the lead writer at LosAngelesDailyNews.net, where she brings her extensive expertise in journalism and communications to cover Los Angeles’ vibrant culture and breaking news. Ruby holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has a track record of delivering insightful and accurate stories. Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
