Funeral Services for legendary Democratic politician Arthur “Chink” Washington will be held Thursday, November 8 at Antioch Baptist Church, 2401 Annie Malone Dr. in North St. Louis. Visitation will be held 9-11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m.
The longtime 21st Ward committeeman and black Democratic political pioneer passed October 29, 2018 at age 88.
Along with Bill Clay, Benny Goines, John Bass, and Leroy Tyus, Washington was part of the surge of black political power to North St. Louis after the clearance of Mill Creek Valley. He was one the founders of the 21st Ward Regular Democratic Organization in 1964.
Under Washington’s leadership, the 21st Ward became one of the top vote-delivery wards in the City of St. Louis – the top black ward and one of the top five wards citywide – and produced a number of other political players of note.
Washington also was one of the best golfers in town of any color or creed. When home, he golfed at Forrest Park; no country clubs would admit a black golfer when Washington started playing the game. With Tyus he traveled the country playing golf competitively, for prize money, in a kind of black golf barnstorming circuit necessitated by the systemic racism of the PGA at the time.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he picked up the nickname by which he was universally known. While working at the Officer’s Club in an Army going through desegregation, a white officer asked who was that ‘Chink,’” referring to Washington, based on some of his Asiatic facial features.
“They meant it as an insult, but he took the name and embraced it,” said Mike Jones, St. Louis politician and commentator from the 21st Ward, who knew the deceased from age 7. “He came back to St. Louis and was known by that name ever since.”
