Although I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not, this is a good point. Oriental was a lazy way to just describe all the "slant eyes" or "yellowed skinned" people over in the Asian subcontinent. It wasn't exactly a flattering term, nor one that shows any knowledge of the area or the differences of the people.
I think you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about. The Shadow knows! The secrets of the Orient!
Considering you had no idea what Origami was, I'm not really sure what you think really has much weight anymore.
My mom calls herself oriental. I honestly don't give a fuck what people call me. ASIAN is as generalized as Oriental. Say Korean, Japanese, or whatever the country is if you want to be politically correct.
Can someone embed the video I posted? It's actually funny and it doesn't work for me [video=youtube;DWynJkN5HbQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWynJkN5HbQ[/video]
When people say "Asian" in this country, they generally mean Chinese/Japanese/Korean, but almost never Indian. In my experience, anyway. The most popular Asian take-out (and among the most popular take-outs of any type) in this country has traditionally been Chinese. Whereas, in England, when people say "Asian," they generally mean Indian and the most popular Asian take-out (and among the most popular take-outs of any type) in England has traditionally been Indian. I just find that funny.
All Orientals are Asians, but only some Asians are Orientals. It's a valid descriptive word with no adequate substitute.
Can you picture John Wayne popping up and down like that guy on the near end? I bet Nancy Pelosi could do it though.
Im starting to wonder if you're just a grumpy old man who doesn't understand when people are being funny. I say this because the guy in that video wouldn't be the one pointing out that the term "oriental" is an outdated term, but would be the one making threads wondering "what's wrong with the Orient", or assuming all "Orientals" are the same. I'm starting to think that like Maris, you're just a character on here to entertain yourself. Your "takes" on what "liberal Americans" want, believe or feel tend to be inaccurate stereotypes that are based on chain emails (that are easily proven to be false). Or maybe you've inhaled too much cedar sawdust in your life.
Well I would be delighted if you point out a liberal take that is in error. Now for the Orient. It was never a place where people where all the same. It was a place far away, perhaps even a mystical place far away, in the East for sure but far far away. But not quite as mystical as Shangri - La. The word Biden used was the "Orient" not oriental. I hear that is offensive these day to people of Asian decent but I have no idea why. I do find it curious how these word fall out of favor and people expect Everyone to know it even though it makes no sense, except to the PC junkies. I started this thread because I figured one of you PC junkies, and you did come to mind, would know what the scoop is on this subject. But... I see you know nothing, simply more rudeness to display your outrage. Rather shallow.
You use the term "PC junkies" a lot. What do you consider to be the difference between "politically correct" (i.e. foolishly discouraged) and legitimately offensive? How do you, personally, feel the line should be drawn among things that bother other people? Or do you think any line should be drawn? Would you, for example, say that people offended by the n-word (only using that term because if I typed the word properly, it would be auto-censored) are being overly sensitive? (I'm not comparing the n-word to "Orient" or "Oriental," I'm just making sure you do think some words should not be used and, if so, then where the line should be drawn.)
