Asian American official reveals war scars during town meeting to push back against racism: ‘Is this patriot enough?’

An Asian American official revealed his scars from serving in the military while discussing racism at a recent town meeting in Ohio.

“People question my patriotism, that I don’t look American enough. They could not get over this face. I want to show you something, I don’t have to live in fear, intimidation, insults,” West Chester Township Trustee Lee Wong, a Republican, said, The Enquirer reported.

“I’ll show you what patriotism looks like,” Wong continued while unbuttoning his shirt.

When his speech was finished, the official from Ohio lifted up his shirt to show a scar he got during his 20 years in the U.S. military, asking ‘Is this patriot enough?’

Racism and discrimination against Asian Americans has become a national topic after shootings in Atlanta in which six Asian women were killed.

“For too long, we have, I have, put up with a lot of shit in silence, excuse the language, too afraid to speak out, fearing more abuse and discrimination,” Wong said during his speech.

A bipartisan group of 26 governors released a statement on Friday condemning anti-Asian violence. 

A local business in Wong’s area called the Oriental Wok said it has been receiving daily racist calls with people telling them to “go back to China,” according to The Enquirer.

Wong is 69 years old and immigrated to the US at 18 years old. He recalled a time where he was beaten up for being Asian and the court let his assailants go. 

Wong is an elected official to a nonpartisan position but did campaign as a Republican with a “Make America Great Again” hat.