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Cannabischarlie
Resident badass
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why is "oriental" offensive?
#8971018 - 09/23/08 12:29 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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why is calling someone "oriental" offensive? I don't like to say Asian because Indian people live in Asia, and they are caucasians (even though they are dark, they are still caucasians)
I dont know when "oriental" become a pejorative, but it sounds perfectly respectable to me.
Also sometimes people get offended by "Negro" but I really dont understand why either.
I dont understand what is wrong with these terms, they hold no negative connotation and they really dont seem like slurs to me, I don't really understand why these descriptive terms are now "racist"
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Coaster
BaĘżal
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cuz foo they arnt a flavor
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antiPock
fighting entropy
Registered: 07/09/07
Posts: 2,509
Loc: Sol 3
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I can't speak to the term "oriental", but my boss once told me "I have to meet a Chinaman at 2 (pm)" I thought that was pertty offensive, and hilarious.
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Sophistic Radiance
Free sVs!
Registered: 07/11/06
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I can understand why the word "negro" is considered racist (have you seen those posters advertising an auction of 300 prime, healthy negroes?), but the status of "oriental" as a racist word confuses the shit out of me too. I don't get it. Granted it's sort of old style to call people oriental, but I don't know that it was connected with any more racism than exists presently.
-------------------- Enlil said: You really are the worst kind of person.
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monkeywrench
Why Not?
Registered: 09/16/08
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I agree with you but the deal is that people like being in a position to avail themselves. It's retarded, like Black people calling each other the N-word but if anyone else says it then all of a sudden things change. I couldn't care less what someone calls me but I respect others opinion and wishes on the matter. It's only a big deal cuz people give the issue so much credence. I can't stand the victim mentality though. my .02
-------------------- [quote]skalthren said: It's nice of you to imply that I've been brainwashed by the government, but the truth is that I'm simply intelligent enough to recognize the subtleties of these issues instead of going "durr hurr, weed should totally be legal!"[/quote]
Edited by monkeywrench (09/23/08 12:40 AM)
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Cannabischarlie
Resident badass
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Quote:
Tchan909 said: I can understand why the word "negro" is considered racist (have you seen those posters advertising an auction of 300 prime, healthy negroes?), but the status of "oriental" as a racist word confuses the shit out of me too. I don't get it. Granted it's sort of old style to call people oriental, but I don't know that it was connected with any more racism than exists presently.
that is because in the times of slavery, strong african or negro slaves where better than a small irish slave, etc. African Ancestored people where more sought after as slaves, and part of that is they do better in the sun (duh)
-------------------- This section of the signature line has been intentionally left blank. we could all use a little more sunshine. yeah, she's funny and somewhat interesting. not a beauty queen, but not bad lookin. i'd feel quite honored to fuck janine garofalo. -tiny_rabid_birds
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Cakes
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I've always referred to oriental people as oriental. It's actually a really good descriptive word....Asian definitely doesn't cut it. I think it's pretty dumb that it's considered offensive -- it's no more offensive than calling someone 'hispanic'.
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zouden
Neuroscientist
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It's as offensive as me talking about "the Jew". It's not racist in itself, but it's the sort of term that's old-fashioned and mostly used by racist people, so it's guilty by association.
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Irishdrunk
Democracy? We Deliver!!!
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 24,201
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: zouden]
#8971424 - 09/23/08 02:53 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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The Orient doesn't cover all Asians, so calling every Asian Oriental is rude.
Or so the legend goes....
I just call them slants.
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nenl
Strangest
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Irishdrunk]
#8971489 - 09/23/08 03:30 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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It's much better to not apply any cultural word to people and just act nervous and avoid eye contact. That always makes people feel welcome.
For me, it's more about the tone. So I don't know if someone is truely from the orient, but if it's not meant to be derogatory then chalk it up to the idiot that doesn't know their exact heritage and go about your business. Why waste time being mad because of what someone else said wrong?
We're all people... if you're respectful, or at least trying to be, then there should be no problem. There are some people that will get offended no matter what. That applies to more than culture - the other day I called someone at work a "lady" and that was offensive to her. Apparently a lady is implied to be old.
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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.
Registered: 09/16/06
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: nenl]
#8971505 - 09/23/08 03:46 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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The Dude: Walter, the chinaman who peed on my rug, I can't go give him a bill, so what the fuck are you talking about? Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you talking about? The chinaman is not the issue here, Dude. I'm talking about drawing a line in the sand, Dude. Across this line, you DO NOT... Also, Dude, chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please. The Dude: Walter, this isn't a guy who built the railroads here. This is a guy... Walter Sobchak: What the fuck are you...? The Dude: Walter, he peed on my rug! Donny: He peed on the Dude's rug. Walter Sobchak: Donny you're out of your element! Dude, the Chinaman is not the issue here!
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McMoney
see through the mind.
Registered: 09/08/08
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8971548 - 09/23/08 04:27 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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i think its because of arrogant / ignorant people have taken the word and used it for such a while that everyone after time thought that it was bad.
kinda like hitler...
how he took the a Mayan symbol and turned into something that meant peace, into something that whenever people see it now a days they crap them self's
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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet
Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 87,230
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I think addressing or talking about people in reference to race and ethnicity is a bigger problem. If you do so, you imply difference and with it introduce duality.
I for one am more comfortable in interracial company to be referred to by my name rather than "white boy" See the nuance?
When the topic is on race and ethnicity you obviously must be able to use some words.
Its certainly true some people are extremely sensitive on certain words, but then again there still is a lot of disgusting racism around and a lot of people way too insensitive about hurting other peoples feelings - regardless of the topic.
Be personal and be polite. If someone is offended by your words don't make a court case out of it "on principle alone" but re-establish the connection and find out why that person got offended.
People are so damn aggressive nowadays.
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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.
Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Asante]
#8971830 - 09/23/08 07:19 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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maybe "asian american" is more PC.
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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet
Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 87,230
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8971851 - 09/23/08 07:27 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
maybe "asian american" is more PC.
It doesnt sound right though. Does "european american" sound right to you?
Maybe some language commission should take matters in their own hands, invent a couple of racial words for all races that bear no resemblance to previous words and then establish those as the official correct words.
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Bridgeburner
Not spiritual at all.
Registered: 09/16/06
Posts: 20,010
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Asante]
#8971865 - 09/23/08 07:33 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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yeah... to me "african american" sounds dumb because it implies on a pre-decided notion that the person in question has just arrived from africa.
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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet
Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 87,230
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8971896 - 09/23/08 07:46 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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"blacks" was the word of choice of the South African Apartheid regime.
The new words should be easy and nonoffensive. Not some artificial-sounding concoction of a dozen syllables.
Something easy and nonoffensive. Why do we even have language commissions and institutions? Let them solve it.
On a side note I saw a racist discussion in some forum where one bonehead used the word caucasian and another responded with: "I'm not any kind of asian you bastard".
Even racists can't tell the words apart anymore
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blewmeanie
Registered: 10/01/06
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Loc:
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8971897 - 09/23/08 07:46 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.
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Irdamage
Autobot
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Bridgeburner]
#8971899 - 09/23/08 07:46 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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Same reason being labeled "American" is mildly offensive to Canadians. Technically its accurate because we are North Americans, but because it has connotations with the United States, many of us take the term offensively.
Orient is a generalized term for south east Asia and while it would technically be accurate for someone from Vietnam or Thailand, the same problems apply. Most individuals don't like the associations that come with a generalized term for someone from their part of the world.
Edited by Irdamage (09/23/08 07:53 AM)
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spock
journeyman
Registered: 08/26/03
Posts: 1,165
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Re: why is "oriental" offensive? [Re: Asante]
#8971903 - 09/23/08 07:48 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
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"Be personal and be polite. If someone is offended by your words don't make a court case out of it "on principle alone" but re-establish the connection and find out why that person got offended."
good words. it's funny (well, not really) how long threads about race grow to be on message boards. usually filled with people very angry about how they are not racist.
most biggots are either angry or they are ignorant. the angry ones are usually deep down realy trying to redirect attention(both thiers and others) away from something that is fucked up about themselves. the ignorant biggots are'nt allways meaning to offend sometimes they are just too stupid to question negative stereotyping. they don't know many if any blacks, or asians or gays so they base thier out look on what they are told. the ignorant ones usually have a followers mentality. they are sheep but make good listeners and followers for the angry biggots.
jmo
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