Is calling someone “chinaman” racist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are worse things he could have called him. Let's not take things to extremes. It's hard not to notice someone is Asian, especially a tall one.

If he said "Tall Asian dude", that would be fine. But 1. the term Chinaman has racist connotations, and only an idiot doesn't realize this 2. The guy may not have even been Chinese, and to call any Asian person "Chinese" is ignorant at best, and racist at worst. Believe it or not, not all Asians are Chinese.

Except odds are pretty high the person was American, not Asian. My Asian relatives consider me American, not Asian. So does the US government.

PP here... I'm Asian. If the term is used to describe someone you don't know. There's nothing wrong with just saying "Asian". And yes, I consider myself an American, but ethnically, I'm some East Asian. It's like saying "that Caucasian guy".

When the police put out a description of a person, they state "Caucasian" or "Asian" person of interest, not Asian American.

People are getting way too sensitive about this. However "chinamen" is definitely racist because it was always used in a derogatory manner, and OP's DH meant it in a derogatory manner, too.

Think for a second. Saying "People are getting way too sensitive about this" only arms ignorant people from saying ignorant things. It's a cliche to call other people sensitive and stifles helpful, nuanced discussions. Please think twice before being dismissive, yeah, Asian Americans ARE sensitive about always being perceived as Asian and foreign, because that perception from white people is a real thing.

PP here.. Oh, I am very much aware of the fact that many people in this country don't consider Asian Americans as "real" Americans, however, what I stated about people being overly sensitive about race is true.

If my kid is trying to describe someone to me whom he doesn't know and uses descriptors like "a black kid" or "a white kid", would that be offensive to a black or white person? If not, then why would it be any more offensive for my kid to say "that Asian kid", or would "that yellow kid" be better?

Again, I am Asian American, and using descriptors in and of itself is not wrong or racist. People are getting too sensitive about stuff like this.

"Chinamen" obviously is racist, as is "Negro" or "Honkey" as descriptors.

You have to know that there are times it could be inappropriate and people may bristle at being identified as "that Asian kid" or "that black kid", or "that hispanic kid", right? There are times when it isn't offensive or insensitive or inappropriate, but it's not all the time. So there's a little nuance there that you are completely ignoring and pulling out the "don't be so sensitive" knee jerk response that are often said by people with not so innocent intentions. Wake up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are worse things he could have called him. Let's not take things to extremes. It's hard not to notice someone is Asian, especially a tall one.

If he said "Tall Asian dude", that would be fine. But 1. the term Chinaman has racist connotations, and only an idiot doesn't realize this 2. The guy may not have even been Chinese, and to call any Asian person "Chinese" is ignorant at best, and racist at worst. Believe it or not, not all Asians are Chinese.

Except odds are pretty high the person was American, not Asian. My Asian relatives consider me American, not Asian. So does the US government.

PP here... I'm Asian. If the term is used to describe someone you don't know. There's nothing wrong with just saying "Asian". And yes, I consider myself an American, but ethnically, I'm some East Asian. It's like saying "that Caucasian guy".

When the police put out a description of a person, they state "Caucasian" or "Asian" person of interest, not Asian American.

People are getting way too sensitive about this. However "chinamen" is definitely racist because it was always used in a derogatory manner, and OP's DH meant it in a derogatory manner, too.

Think for a second. Saying "People are getting way too sensitive about this" only arms ignorant people from saying ignorant things. It's a cliche to call other people sensitive and stifles helpful, nuanced discussions. Please think twice before being dismissive, yeah, Asian Americans ARE sensitive about always being perceived as Asian and foreign, because that perception from white people is a real thing.

PP here.. Oh, I am very much aware of the fact that many people in this country don't consider Asian Americans as "real" Americans, however, what I stated about people being overly sensitive about race is true.

If my kid is trying to describe someone to me whom he doesn't know and uses descriptors like "a black kid" or "a white kid", would that be offensive to a black or white person? If not, then why would it be any more offensive for my kid to say "that Asian kid", or would "that yellow kid" be better?

Again, I am Asian American, and using descriptors in and of itself is not wrong or racist. People are getting too sensitive about stuff like this.

"Chinamen" obviously is racist, as is "Negro" or "Honkey" as descriptors.

You have to know that there are times it could be inappropriate and people may bristle at being identified as "that Asian kid" or "that black kid", or "that hispanic kid", right? There are times when it isn't offensive or insensitive or inappropriate, but it's not all the time. So there's a little nuance there that you are completely ignoring and pulling out the "don't be so sensitive" knee jerk response that are often said by people with not so innocent intentions. Wake up.

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

[Anonymous]

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

[Anonymous]

I am Asian. Yes, OP, that’s effing racist and not something you should be teaching your kids. Your hubby should know better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Offensive. Even if if the term itself wasn't offensive (even though it is), your husband's use of the kid's race to make fun of him is incredibly racist.

+1. Antiquated term that sounds like it came from Archie Bunker and not the parent of a school-aged kid in 2018.

My grandfather used it, he would be over 100 now.

Yes OP It's racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Chinese man” (if truly Chinese from China) = OK

“Chinaman” = unequivocally racist and ignorant

This is it in a nutshell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

"that Asian guy" is not a racist slur, and neither is "that Black guy" or "that white guy". Good gracious.

Again, knee jerk reaction of "racism" to any sentence that has a word that references someone's race.

[Anonymous]

The "Chinaman" term has been around a long time, possibly when people really were fresh off the boat from China. Insert any country and then put man after it. Is that racist too? If you go looking for things to be offended about, you will find it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

"that Asian guy" is not a racist slur, and neither is "that Black guy" or "that white guy". Good gracious.

Again, knee jerk reaction of "racism" to any sentence that has a word that references someone's race.

N.P. Why did you feel the need to say that people are too sensitive about race in a thread which is really about whether the term "Chinaman" should have been used to describe an Asian American boy? This was clearly racist and a jerk thing to do. There is absolutely no need to complain about people being overly sensitive here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "Chinaman" term has been around a long time, possibly when people really were fresh off the boat from China. Insert any country and then put man after it. Is that racist too? If you go looking for things to be offended about, you will find it.

If you don't really give a damn about silly snowflake feelings, then by all means, go around calling Asian Americans "Chinamen." While you're at it, if you're out in public and want to call the attention of an African American, go ahead and shout, "Hey, Africa!" This is a great way to generate a fine sense of community and show people how awesome you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "Chinaman" term has been around a long time, possibly when people really were fresh off the boat from China. Insert any country and then put man after it. Is that racist too? If you go looking for things to be offended about, you will find it.

That's very ignorant of you and turning a very willful blind eye to a very apparent racist term. Just google the word and the first few results (heck the dictionary definition) indicates that it is a derogatory and offensive term. You can have your own theory and opinion, but you sound like an apologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are worse things he could have called him. Let's not take things to extremes. It's hard not to notice someone is Asian, especially a tall one.

If he said "Tall Asian dude", that would be fine. But 1. the term Chinaman has racist connotations, and only an idiot doesn't realize this 2. The guy may not have even been Chinese, and to call any Asian person "Chinese" is ignorant at best, and racist at worst. Believe it or not, not all Asians are Chinese.

Except odds are pretty high the person was American, not Asian. My Asian relatives consider me American, not Asian. So does the US government.

PP here... I'm Asian. If the term is used to describe someone you don't know. There's nothing wrong with just saying "Asian". And yes, I consider myself an American, but ethnically, I'm some East Asian. It's like saying "that Caucasian guy".

When the police put out a description of a person, they state "Caucasian" or "Asian" person of interest, not Asian American.

People are getting way too sensitive about this. However "chinamen" is definitely racist because it was always used in a derogatory manner, and OP's DH meant it in a derogatory manner, too.

Think for a second. Saying "People are getting way too sensitive about this" only arms ignorant people from saying ignorant things. It's a cliche to call other people sensitive and stifles helpful, nuanced discussions. Please think twice before being dismissive, yeah, Asian Americans ARE sensitive about always being perceived as Asian and foreign, because that perception from white people is a real thing.

PP here.. Oh, I am very much aware of the fact that many people in this country don't consider Asian Americans as "real" Americans, however, what I stated about people being overly sensitive about race is true.

If my kid is trying to describe someone to me whom he doesn't know and uses descriptors like "a black kid" or "a white kid", would that be offensive to a black or white person? If not, then why would it be any more offensive for my kid to say "that Asian kid", or would "that yellow kid" be better?

Again, I am Asian American, and using descriptors in and of itself is not wrong or racist. People are getting too sensitive about stuff like this.

"Chinamen" obviously is racist, as is "Negro" or "Honkey" as descriptors.

You have to know that there are times it could be inappropriate and people may bristle at being identified as "that Asian kid" or "that black kid", or "that hispanic kid", right? There are times when it isn't offensive or insensitive or inappropriate, but it's not all the time. So there's a little nuance there that you are completely ignoring and pulling out the "don't be so sensitive" knee jerk response that are often said by people with not so innocent intentions. Wake up.

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

I think it is usually the non-"snowflake" types, i.e. social conservative types, because they simply aren't "woke" and don't know when they will offend people. So as a result, they'll just avoid using those labels altogether, regardless of context. On the other hand, all the liberal/snowflake types I know use these labels appropriately, regardless of audience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

"that Asian guy" is not a racist slur, and neither is "that Black guy" or "that white guy". Good gracious.

Again, knee jerk reaction of "racism" to any sentence that has a word that references someone's race.

N.P. Why did you feel the need to say that people are too sensitive about race in a thread which is really about whether the term "Chinaman" should have been used to describe an Asian American boy? This was clearly racist and a jerk thing to do. There is absolutely no need to complain about people being overly sensitive here.

It helps if you read the entire thread. This particular post came about because someone posted saying "tall Asian dude" vs "Chinamen", then someone said "tall Asian dude" was also racist. If I said "tall white guy" would that be racist?

So, yes, some people have a knee jerk reaction to any sentence that has someone's race in it. That was the point.

Consensus is that "chinaman" is clearly racist. But, "tall Asian dude" is not in any way racist.

-signed an Asian American

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

"that Asian guy" is not a racist slur, and neither is "that Black guy" or "that white guy". Good gracious.

Again, knee jerk reaction of "racism" to any sentence that has a word that references someone's race.

N.P. Why did you feel the need to say that people are too sensitive about race in a thread which is really about whether the term "Chinaman" should have been used to describe an Asian American boy? This was clearly racist and a jerk thing to do. There is absolutely no need to complain about people being overly sensitive here.

It helps if you read the entire thread. This particular post came about because someone posted saying "tall Asian dude" vs "Chinamen", then someone said "tall Asian dude" was also racist. If I said "tall white guy" would that be racist?

So, yes, some people have a knee jerk reaction to any sentence that has someone's race in it. That was the point.

Consensus is that "chinaman" is clearly racist. But, "tall Asian dude" is not in any way racist.

-signed an Asian American

Jeremy Lin would think "tall Asian dude" when used in the basketball context would be somewhat racist. But it's all relative and if we're talking about elementary school (I assume) basketball, it wouldn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm quite woke, thanks, and realize that in certain situations, using a race label is racist. However, I still think too many people are way too sensitive about race and do indeed have a knee jerk reaction to anything that has some race term.

Imagine that - people being too sensitive about the use of an actual racial slur! Maybe people are too sensitive about nooses and hoods too.

"that Asian guy" is not a racist slur, and neither is "that Black guy" or "that white guy". Good gracious.

Again, knee jerk reaction of "racism" to any sentence that has a word that references someone's race.

Asian is not a race! Some of us Asian-Americans don't like it used that way, because it raises the questions about our nationality in addition to how we look.