Art and the Election: John McCain "Hates the (racial slur here)"

October 21, 3:41 PMSF Art ExaminerMarisa Nakasone

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Stephan Ha's Print.

Art and the Presidential Election: John McCain "Hates the G ooks"

**Because of the racist nature of the term used by none other than our Republican presidential nominee, the examiner publising tool will not permit us to use the word in our articles.  Thus, I place a space between the first and last three letters so you know what I am referring to.

In February of 2000, John McCain publicly stated that he "hates the G ooks," (source: San Francisco Chronicle, SF Gate.com) referring to his captors while he was a POW during the Vietnam war.  McCain refused to apologize for his use of the slur, stating in his defense that, "I was referring to my prison guards...and I will continue refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends."  Though John McCain has made it clear that his hatred extends solely to his captors, his use of the word "g ook" is irresponsible and unacceptable for a politician of his stature and experience.

Now, I have nothing but respect for John McCain's magnanimous sacrifice during the Vietnam war---as a prisoner, he was subjected to brutal torture for days on end and forced into signing a "confession." No one can deny that his torturers were wrong and cruel in their treatment of other human beings and one can understand the strong feelings McCain has in this regard.  "G ook," he says, "is the kindest appellation I can give."

However, to continue to use this word without sensitivity to Asian Americans, particularly Vietnamese Americans, and the painful history this word evokes does not help us get past that scar in history and in people's lives across ethnic boundaries.  Furthermore, I think it is valuable to have a leader who is (at the very least) eloquent and has the intellectual capacity to speak in a manner that is politically correct and or sensitive to our increasingly diverse population.  Political correctness is complex and sometimes difficult to keep in mind all the time, but I certainly do not want a leader (one of the most powerful in the world, at that) using racist terminology--I want a leader who is dignified, professional, eloquent, and sensitive to the citizens of the country he represents.  Despite his poor choice in words, should McCain be elected, I hope that his past experiences will not impede his competency as a leader and representative in foreign affairs.

Art has and continues to be political--with an increasing number of works focusing on the candidates and issues at stake in this year's election.  While Barack Obama's mug appears in the vast majority of these recently created works, it seems we have one that depicts John McCain...albeit in an unflattering light.

San Francisco-based artist, Steven Ha created a print for awareness website, McCainhatestheg ooks.com. The print is free to download on this website.  Limited edition prints are available for purchase.