My g/f and I were having a debate the other day and would appreciate some input from others, preferably those of Asian decent. Basically, the question I'd like to ask is: as an Asian, do you find the term "Oriental" offensive? Is it okay to use "Oriental" and "Asian" interchangably, or is there a big difference? My argument was that "Oriental" is a potentially offensive term because it carries with it some negative historical connotations regarding the way some westerners viewed the far east. Thus, I make an effort to never use that term in case somebody is offended. Am I wrong in assuming this? Am I being too PC? Is "Oriental" offensive or not?
those terms aren't interchangable if your talking about people. its not offensive to me, but if and when someone does use that term... i think to myself..."get with the times, you un-cultured bible belt redneck"
What happens when you spin an Oriental guy 100 times? He gets disoriented... No, I'm not offended by the term Oriental.
In today's modern world, I would say yes it is to certain people. Although I imagine many people would shrug it aside and not really care. The term oriental derives from the classification of the near east (Asia) as "the orient." It's generally a very eurocentric term to describe those in Asia and there are other issues in terms of social identity that cropped up with its use. Similarly, people don't call African Americans "negros" anymore because while the word itself is simply the spanish word for black, it is connected to America's racist past. Similarly, orientals was the predominant term used when referring to Asians and Asian Americans in the past and as a result has a racist legacy attached to it. Also, many times the term specifically referenced China since back in the day much of Asia was represented by China. As a result whether you were Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc.. you were called an "oriental" and assumed to be Chinese. (something to some extent that still goes on) Essentially, it had the effect of denying one's social location and incorrectly labeling everyone as "Chinese." There's probably a lot more to it but that's as much as I know.
I don't think the term "Oriental" is offensive, but it's definitely very dated. Nobody ever says, "I'm going on a trip to the Orient" anymore.
That was my assumption as well, and one of the other reasons I have always avoided the term when referencing people.
Yes. To me it is offensive and I don't like people using it around me when refering to people. I don't think the word itself is racist or anything used in the right context, but it turned bad. White people used the word in a derogatory sense in the old west in California when referring to Asians.
As a long time member of the asian community, some of my favor past times include crunching numbers, eating rice, and being part of the slanted eye clan. What's everyone elses hobbies on this board?
Not a big deal for me. Oriental was supposed to refer people and/or stuff related to Far East Asia. I don't see why it is offensive. The PC movement certainly took its game to a new height.
Why do East Asians get upset when people refer to South Asians as "Asians" as well? I never understood that since these are all people from the Asian continent.
I dont find it offensive, but rarely do i hear people call me oriental these days. But for arguments sake, you call a rug oriental, not a human.
Oriental does not really offend me, but it does sound kind of 'out-dated' or something you hear from a rural small town who has little or no asian population.
Like others have said, I think it's that the word is antiquated more than anything else. Like that "negro" analogy. At one time "negro" was a widely accepted designation that most people didn't have a problem with. But through the civil rights movement and the PC-era it's pretty much gone away and you never hear it anymore. Same thing I guess with oriental. At least in this country. From what I understand, in England, they use oriental to distinguish between east asians and indian/pakistanis, since the have a pretty large populations of southwest asians (is that the preferred nomenclature? Or is there another term that encompasses people from india/pakistan?).
True. Why do IRA members get upset when others refer people of Northern Ireland to as "Britons" as well? I never understood that since these are all people from the the Great Britain.
