FDP section causes scandal in disguise

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A Facebook post is fatal to Stéphane Baechler (47). The president of the FDP from La Gruyère FR has organized a meal for his party supporters. The title: “La Chinoise du Président” – the president’s chinoise. The board of directors serves a fondue chinoise disguised as Asians. A now-deleted Facebook photo reveals the party.

De Juso Friborg reacted angrily: “The behavior of the Gruyere FDP is racist and should be denounced as such,” says board member Emily Baumgartner. “This is a blatant disrespect to members of the Asian community. A culture is not a disguise». The so-called “yellow face”, like the “black face”, is a racist act.

“Like all minorities, people of Asian descent experience injustice and discrimination in Switzerland,” says Baumgartner. “We expect the FDP to question their actions, seriously reconsider their prejudices and apologize.”

Between surprise and misunderstanding

Stéphane Baechler is surprised. They set a theme for each meal: “Once we offered perch fillets, so we dressed up as sailors. Another time it was paella. We dressed like Spaniards.” It’s similar now. “We chose Fondue Chinoise, so we dressed like Asians, with kimonos and hats.”

Baechler assures that it was never about hurting anyone. “We wanted to create a festive, child-friendly atmosphere in line with the Asia theme. We had red tablecloths, red and gold balloons,” says the deputy mayor of Sâles FR. “The idea was simply to spend a pleasant moment away from the sometimes sober and protocol image of politics.”

Baechler deleted the photo. “I wanted to end the polemic.” He suspects that the allegations were made because of the election campaign. “If the Juso’s primary problem is our food, then that’s good for them. We, on the other hand, will continue to focus on the energy crisis, the purchasing power or the war in Ukraine.”

Racist or not?

Blick handed the photo over to Martine Brunschwig Graf (73) of the Federal Commission against Racism. “The practice of ‘yellowface’ is not exactly identical, but it has some similarities with ‘blackfacing’,” she says. “Moustaches, clothes and hats used as disguises are part of a set of stereotypes and prejudices that have long been denounced and fought by those affected.”

It should not be forgotten that people of Asian descent have been increasingly discriminated against since the corona pandemic. The Commission is aware that there was no intent. Nevertheless, “politicians should be particularly aware that practices considered harmless may be harmful to individuals particularly vulnerable to racism and discrimination.”

“will discuss this”

Stéphane Baechler is convinced that the political attack is an election campaign maneuver. But, “We’ll discuss this at the next board meeting,” says Baechler.

“However, I ask myself the question: if disguise is discriminatory, should we ban carnival, youth or village parties? And if you go further: would an Asian man wearing a Swiss garment offend us? I am – and will remain – convinced that this is not the case.”

Meanwhile, the national party has also commented on the fondue dispute. National councilor and board member of the FDP Switzerland Philippe Nantermod (39) calls the criticism from the left on Twitter “as boring as rain. But much less useful.”

Source:Blick