By Assunta Ng
Honorable Gary Locke speaks at the Washington Place groundbreaking ceremony (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
The former ambassador has only returned to Washington state for a few months after serving for three years as the first Chinese American U.S. ambassador to China. He’s in demand—everyone wants to use his name, have him speak, fundraise, and be a public figure. His name instantly draws traffic.
In one week, he was making as many as four to five public appearances. People just love to see him, shake his hand, and take pictures with him like old days as governor. However, not everyone recognizes Locke at first. At a few occasions, people actually asked me, “Where’s Gary?”
Does he really look that different other than the missing white hair? It’s more than that—a shaved white head. I don’t know why folks are so surprised by Locke’s look. Why can’t people just accept their favorite son ages just like everybody else? His haircut was once the subject of media attention when he was Washington state governor in the 1990s. His boyish face might change, but he’s still the same old Gary Locke. At 64, he has experienced more than many of us in the other Washington (when he’s U.S. Cabinet Secretary of Commerce) and of course, China.
“White hair just means wisdom,” said Mei Young, an entrepreneur. “Why need to disguise that (white hair)?”
Simply stated—be yourself. (end)