Obachine Restaurant Art -- Matter Is An Overreaction

This letter is in response to your March 5 article regarding the controversy surrounding an allegedly "racist" art piece hanging in the upscale restaurant, ObaChine.

As a Caucasian male who is admittedly lacking significant historical knowledge of Asian-based discrimination and/or racism and, too, is lacking an understanding of Asian-focused art, I feel a bit confused by the message learned from this swirling dilemma.

From reading the article, it appears that Ron Chew, director of the Wing Luke Asian Museum, and representing the local chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, has embarked upon a crusade to rid public places of any "questionable" art pieces.

His focus, in this case, is a "framed print . . . of a Chinese man wearing a servant's jacket and holding a cup of tea." He, and his associates, apparently find the art piece to be "stereotypical and racist," and they have demanded that the restaurant owners remove the piece.

I find that I am struggling with my initial reaction, which takes exception with Chew's tactics and moral statements. It would seem different to me if the restaurant management had refused service to an Asian customer, or had used a racially derogatory slur toward an Asian customer, and Chew had followed up the allegation, rightfully so, in representing Asian interests and/or perspectives.

I tend to feel that this matter is an overreaction by publicity-seeking individuals who have swayed from their true mission into a near-fascist approach to "political correctness."

I would urge Chew to initiate the same level of scrutiny with the various art pieces displayed within the Wing Luke Asian Museum. I am sure that a number of historical representations may be at least borderline "stereotypical or racist." One such piece might be the common caricature of Buddha, as a pot-bellied, fanciful person, often duplicated as small figurines or statues.

Finally, I appreciate that Chew's motives are altruistic, but I would urge him to focus on the larger picture surrounding race relations.

Jon Gillis Issaquah