Is calling someone “chinaman” racist?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know whether it’s racist, since we can’t agree on what that word means. It’s certainly inappropriate, unkind, and not a behavior I’d want my DH modeling for one of my kids.

[Anonymous]

I think that the Dad was acting on instinct. He was trying to diminish the bullies power so his son felt defended. He was modeling how to deal with a bully verbally, albeit after the fact. I give Dad snaps for trying.

[Anonymous]

Summary of thread:

90% of comments: "Yes, of course it's racist"

One determined asshole: "It's fine to be racist if you're mad. At least my kid's not a pussy!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know whether it’s racist, since we can’t agree on what that word means. It’s certainly inappropriate, unkind, and not a behavior I’d want my DH modeling for one of my kids.

Consensus does not make something racist. If a person of Asian descent says chinaman is racist, then you must accept it as racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know whether it’s racist, since we can’t agree on what that word means. It’s certainly inappropriate, unkind, and not a behavior I’d want my DH modeling for one of my kids.

Consensus does not make something racist. If a person of Asian descent says chinaman is racist, then you must accept it as racist.

This, You don't get to decide that a person of Asian descent should not be offended by being referred to as a historic slur for a person of indeterminate heritage in an adversarial context.

[Anonymous]

I’m shocked that there are six pages of discussion about this. It seems obvious that this is an extremely racist word to use to refer to someone.

[Anonymous]

You'd be surprised at who still uses the term Chinaman. I talked to a guy once who was in his 20s who used the term with me (I'm Chinese) and was genuinely baffled when I told him that really wasn't a term to be used anymore. He was like, "really? What do you call yourself then?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the Dad was acting on instinct. He was trying to diminish the bullies power so his son felt defended. He was modeling how to deal with a bully verbally, albeit after the fact. I give Dad snaps for trying.

His instinct is to fall back on racism? That's scary.

[Anonymous]

I've had people ask me if i was an Irishman on St Patrick's Day, I thought it was a racist slur too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had people ask me if i was an Irishman on St Patrick's Day, I thought it was a racist slur too.

Was the term "Irishman" ever used in a derogatory manner in or history?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that the Dad was acting on instinct. He was trying to diminish the bullies power so his son felt defended. He was modeling how to deal with a bully verbally, albeit after the fact. I give Dad snaps for trying.

His instinct is to fall back on racism? That's scary.

You must not have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that the Dad was acting on instinct. He was trying to diminish the bullies power so his son felt defended. He was modeling how to deal with a bully verbally, albeit after the fact. I give Dad snaps for trying.

His instinct is to fall back on racism? That's scary.

You must not have kids.

I believe it was the dad who did this, not the kid. No.. my DH is not like my kid. Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that the Dad was acting on instinct. He was trying to diminish the bullies power so his son felt defended. He was modeling how to deal with a bully verbally, albeit after the fact. I give Dad snaps for trying.

His instinct is to fall back on racism? That's scary.

in the world right now where several kids don't even have a father figure, no, the above example is not scary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Also, Dude, chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please."

THANK YOU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had people ask me if i was an Irishman on St Patrick's Day, I thought it was a racist slur too.

Was the term "Irishman" ever used in a derogatory manner in or history?

YES, are you kidding. Google "No Irish " sign. Read about prejudice against Irish. Geesh.