Is Frank Chu Really "the Modern-Day Emperor Norton"?
IT'S A COMPARISON that is invoked with some regularity.
But, what do those who make the comparison mean by it?
It's true that — like Emperor Norton did — Frank Chu:
spends a lot of time on the streets of San Francisco;
frequently is seen at public events;
has a signature look;
has a message;
has a knack for attracting media attention;
says and does things that lead many to suppose that he is somewhere between eccentric and crazy; and
has been doing what he does with great consistency for many years.
But, these are extremely broad strokes.
The Emperor had his occasional conspiracy-theorizing moments. But, Frank's whole project is built around a conspiracy theory.
Moreover, a careful reading of Emperor Norton's words and deeds tells us that what the Emperor sought to accomplish — his program, if you like — was very different from Frank's.
Does anyone call Emperor Norton "the 19th-century Frank Chu"?
In 2010, one commentator called Emperor Norton "the prototype of Frank Chu." That might be marginally more apt than calling Frank Chu "the modern-day Emperor Norton."
But, trying to unpack either one of these too-clever reductios leaves one with little but the most general of generalities.
Does Frank Chu stand within the long tradition of San Francisco street characters that started during the reign of Emperor Norton? Undoubtedly.
But, is Frank really any more "the modern-day Emperor Norton" than he is the modern-day George Washington II, as played by Frederick Coombs (c.1803–1874) — an earlier "FC," who lived in San Francisco from 1861 to 1864?
After all, Coombs did — unlike the Emp — create large placards and banners and always use these as props for his curbside evangelizing. Like Frank, Freddie was rarely seen on San Francisco streets without his signs.
“The Union Matrimonial Promoter,” 1866. Frederick Coombs (c.1803–1874) as George Washington II. Carte de visite. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Source: Library of Congress
I prefer to let Emperor Norton be Emperor Norton and let Frank be Frank — without trying to make Frank wear a suit that doesn't fit.
To answer No to the title question is not to insult Frank Chu. It's to have enough respect for both Frank and the Emperor to allow each to be his own true self without reference to the other.
:: :: ::
For an archive of all of the Trust’s blog posts and a complete listing of search tags, please click here.
Search our blog...