To address potential abuses and cultural appropriation concerns, San Francisco has recently implemented a policy to regulate the longstanding practice of candidates selecting their Chinese names to appear on the ballot.
Traditionally employed to appeal to Asian American voters, this practice has faced scrutiny for its potential misuse and the possibility of candidates appropriating Chinese culture for electoral gain.
The Art of Strategic Naming in Chinese Descent Candidate
Historically, candidates of Chinese descent and those from other ethnic backgrounds have strategically chosen Chinese names to convey specific personality traits, aiming to enhance their public image.
For instance, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins adopted the name 謝安宜 (Xie An Yi), translating to “safety and pleasant” in Mandarin and Ze On Ji in Cantonese, during the 2022 special election. Similarly, in 2010, Michael Nava ran unsuccessfully for San Francisco Superior Court judge with the name 李正平 (Li Zheng Ping), meaning “correct and fair” in Mandarin.
San Francisco’s Department of Elections has taken a stance against this practice by introducing a policy requiring candidates to submit evidence of an established use of a Chinese name for at least two years.
This move aims to address concerns the Board of Supervisors raised regarding potential abuses of terms and transliteration. The memorandum issued by the department emphasizes the need for transparency in candidates’ use of Chinese names.
Beyond the concerns of strategically boosting election campaigns, there are issues of potential double dipping and the appropriation of Chinese culture. The recent controversy involving Democratic County Central Committee candidate Emma Heiken illustrates this, as she adopted the name 馬凱勤 (Ma Hoi Kan) during her campaign, mirroring her opponent Natalie Gee’s name.
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San Francisco Electoral Reforms and the Scrutiny of Candidate Chinese Names
Gee, who has carried her name since birth (朱凱勤 – Zyu Hoi Kan), expressed discomfort with Heiken’s use of the identical moniker.
Gee’s case sheds light on the cultural significance of Chinese names and the potential insensitivity involved in candidates adopting them for political purposes. Gee’s name, carefully crafted by her mother, reflects her parents’ struggles when starting a new life in the United States and symbolizes the hope and dreams they held for a better future.
Such deeply personal and culturally meaningful names can be overshadowed when misused for political gain.
San Francisco’s crackdown on candidates selecting Chinese names for the ballot signals a shift toward greater scrutiny and accountability in the electoral process.
By implementing this policy, the city aims to foster transparency and discourage potential abuses while respecting the cultural significance of Chinese names.
As the debate over cultural appropriation and electoral strategies continues, the policy change reflects a commitment to fair and respectful campaigning in a diverse, multicultural society.
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