The Black Sheep Liberal of the Family, Back in the Conservative Wolf Den on Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

PP here. Friend from China is working in the US but intends to return home in a couple of years.

[Anonymous]

I'm one person and I can't speak for the preferences of every single Asian in America. However, it seems that the majority prefer to be referred to as Asian. If you're American, haven't you noticed that forms that ask for race say:

Asian/Pacific Islander

Not:

Oriental/Pacific Islander

[Anonymous]

Oriental is the word used to describe objects like a rug. You can have a lovely oriental rug in your living room. You, however, cannot have a lovely oriental lady, etc. It's derogatory because it encourages people seen as objects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oriental is the word used to describe objects like a rug. You can have a lovely oriental rug in your living room. You, however, cannot have a lovely oriental lady, etc. It's derogatory because it encourages people seen as objects.

What about Scandinavian? It describes a type of furniture and a type of people. Does that mean that Scandinavian people are also seen as objects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What about Scandinavian? It describes a type of furniture and a type of people. Does that mean that Scandinavian people are also seen as objects?

You can have an American/Japanese car... That's the exact same instance.

However, just because that works doesn't mean it's the rule.

When dealing with the differences between the word Oriental and Asian, you have two separate words, one to deal with each instance-- one for things, one for people. If you had a separate word to describe Scandinavian furniture, you would use it, however you don't.

Yes, it's a unique set of circumstances, however, it doesn't change the fact that these are the circumstances. Calling a person Oriental is offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oriental is the word used to describe objects like a rug. You can have a lovely oriental rug in your living room. You, however, cannot have a lovely oriental lady, etc. It's derogatory because it encourages people seen as objects.

What about Scandinavian? It describes a type of furniture and a type of people. Does that mean that Scandinavian people are also seen as objects?

Are you saying this seriously or just to be a smart-ass? Either way, can't you understand that what works for one group of people may not work for another group, due to separate histories?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What about Scandinavian? It describes a type of furniture and a type of people. Does that mean that Scandinavian people are also seen as objects?

You can have an American/Japanese car... That's the exact same instance.

However, just because that works doesn't mean it's the rule.

When dealing with the differences between the word Oriental and Asian, you have two separate words, one to deal with each instance-- one for things, one for people. If you had a separate word to describe Scandinavian furniture, you would use it, however you don't.

Yes, it's a unique set of circumstances, however, it doesn't change the fact that these are the circumstances. Calling a person Oriental is offensive.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oriental is the word used to describe objects like a rug. You can have a lovely oriental rug in your living room. You, however, cannot have a lovely oriental lady, etc. It's derogatory because it encourages people seen as objects.

What about Scandinavian? It describes a type of furniture and a type of people. Does that mean that Scandinavian people are also seen as objects?

Are you saying this seriously or just to be a smart-ass? Either way, can't you understand that what works for one group of people may not work for another group, due to separate histories?

Were Asian people once called Orientals as a derogatory term, similar to how AA were once called "coloreds" (sp?)?

[Anonymous]

oriental is not offensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oriental is not offensive

Edward Said, the scholar who wrote "Orientalism," might disagree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oriental is not offensive

Edward Said, the scholar who wrote "Orientalism," might disagree with you.

who cares what he thinks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have similiar problems with my family who is racist against white people. It's awful how they make fun of "white folks" lack of dancing ability, style and even cooking ability. When they go on about how they finally got one of their own in..put me over the edge.

Is this a joke?

Wondering the same. There's got to be more than those type of criticisms floating around that table...

unfortunately racism now-a-days is just as likely to be directed at white people as coming from white people. one of these days we will get past it.

Oh give me a break. That's like saying "nowadays sexism is just as likely to be directed at men as coming from men

All I can do is laugh.

so you don't think white people can be victim of racism?

[Anonymous]

No, white people can not be the victims of racism. Racism is a system of institutional, systemic oppression, and in order to be racist, you need both prejudice and power. Someone might be prejudiced against whites, but that isn't racism, it's just that- prejudice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, white people can not be the victims of racism. Racism is a system of institutional, systemic oppression, and in order to be racist, you need both prejudice and power. Someone might be prejudiced against whites, but that isn't racism, it's just that- prejudice.

incredibly racist, hateful and ignorant attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
who cares what he thinks?

Wow, you're probably right. Scholars who spend their lives analyzing the implications of the language we use are probably not worth considering when we are discussing the meaning of words used to apply to other groups. You're right, anonymous grouchy poster. You've convinced me.