Use of word 'Oriental' restricted by law

[achtungbaby]

Use of word 'Oriental' restricted by law

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134485582_noslur01m.html

By Alex Fryer
Seattle Times staff reporter

Beginning today, state and local lawmakers are prohibited from using
the term "Oriental" in statutes, codes, rules and regulations.

Instead, officials must use "Asian" to describe people of Asian
descent. The change is mandated by a bill sponsored by state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, and is the first such law in the country. Shin said he got
the idea from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who sought to outlaw
the word "Negro" because of its connection to slavery.

(read more) (http://yellowworld.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=78)

[achtungbaby]

You would think that most educated people would know that "Oriental" is offensive to Asians, but hey, this is America.

[angelnympho]

Why bother going through all that trouble just to change one word? I mean, of course it passed, because nobody cares enough to not allow it. I hardly think somebody calling me "Oriental" would be grounds for me to kick their ass, let alone get all offended by it. But I DO look at them like they're crazy if they do say it. I just don't think its that big of a deal... Most people don't even say it anymore anyway...

[thaite]

I was always under the impression that Oriental referred to goods, like rugs, lamps, cuisine and stuff, while Asian referred to people.

I forget what crappy food company makes it, but there are these Asian instant bowl dishes in the grocery stores now? I saw the commercial on tv, and they use the word Asian to describe their food.

[achtungbaby]

[quote:dca35001ce="angelnympho"]Most people don't even say it anymore anyway...[/quote:dca35001ce]

Unfortunately our country is a big, dumb place. In the article, they pointed out that even a lot of lawmakers were ignorant about the word.

[angelnympho]

[quote:6683a6988b="achtungbaby"]Unfortunately our country is a big, dumb place. In the article, they pointed out that even a lot of lawmakers were ignorant about the word.[/quote:6683a6988b]

but it shouldnt matter what it says in print. i mean, all that really matters is that nobody says it to your face, and if they do, it's typically not derogatory.. its just from lack of knowledge.

[achtungbaby]

[quote:3c04ce1fa7="angelnympho"]but it shouldnt matter what it says in print.[/quote:3c04ce1fa7]

What do you mean? Are you saying it's okay to write "Orientals" but not okay to say them...?

[jenyoung80]

bottom line is that the term "oriental" is politically incorrect.

[Shuriken]

This is precisely the kind of weapon that the "anti-P.C." crowd needs to put the rest of us down. If you object to the word "Oriental," and you manage to prevent others from using that word, then — like it or not — you are an "oppressor" for probiting others from not allowing them to exercise their "freedom" to pronounce that word.

Of course, never mind the unequal power relations behind that word. Never mind that anyone who has used the word "Oriental" has probably not been tagged with a similarly oppressive and delimiting appelation (ain't them fancy words, those?). As long as the word "Oriental" has never affected [i:2fab61fac5]them[/i:2fab61fac5], then there is absolutely no reason at all why it should affect you! And if it does affect you, that's [i:2fab61fac5]your[/i:2fab61fac5] probelm and no one eles's. Right?

And if you don't like it, you're just being "politically correct." And as [i:2fab61fac5]everybody[/i:2fab61fac5] knows, being "politically correct" is worse that being a racist. Right?

Please wake me when I get over my cynicism...assuming I ever do.

[achtungbaby]

[quote:2742461ee9="Shuriken"]
Please wake me when I get over my cynicism...assuming I ever do.[/quote:2742461ee9]

...zzzzzzzz...

[angelnympho]

[quote:88c09593d6="achtungbaby"]What do you mean? Are you saying it's okay to write "Orientals" but not okay to say them...?[/quote:88c09593d6]

No, I'm just saying that it seems pointless to get all bent out of shape over something that is just NOW being realized as offensive.

I guess I just think it's a waste of time to argue little issues like that. I mean, shouldn't people be more concerned with other things? ...Like say, war?

[inkpainter]

[quote:8bcde1e7ce="achtungbaby"][quote:8bcde1e7ce="angelnympho"]but it shouldnt matter what it says in print.[/quote:8bcde1e7ce]

What do you mean? Are you saying it's okay to write "Orientals" but not okay to say them...?[/quote:8bcde1e7ce]

Hey A-baby...there are two stores in chinatown here in central florida both chinese owned, i know one of the owners, fob, they named their stores - "Oriental Gifts" and "Oriental Herbs"....why would they do that if they're offended...please 'splain. :?

[artsfartsyjanet]

[quote:79a897d1d8]I guess I just think it's a waste of time to argue little issues like that. I mean, shouldn't people be more concerned with other things? ...Like say, war?[/quote:79a897d1d8]

War should be a big concern, but banning the use of "oriental" to refer to human beings is just as important. I don't expect everyone to shift their attention only to war nor only to slanderous slurs such as "oriental". Whether one creates greater weight than the other, the purpose remains the same-- justice.

[artsfartsyjanet]

[quote:0f292efda1="inkpainter"][quote:0f292efda1="achtungbaby"][quote:0f292efda1="angelnympho"]but it shouldnt matter what it says in print.[/quote:0f292efda1]

What do you mean? Are you saying it's okay to write "Orientals" but not okay to say them...?[/quote:0f292efda1]

Hey A-baby...there are two stores in chinatown here in central florida both chinese owned, i know one of the owners, fob, they named their stores - "Oriental Gifts" and "Oriental Herbs"....why would they do that if they're offended...please 'splain. :?[/quote:0f292efda1]

I know this question is directed to Achtungbaby, but your inquiry raised my attention. Seeing that oriental is loosely used to refer to objects, I don't have a terrible problem with the word, but it should be replaced with Asian. Of course, you've seen owners who are ignorant of the social and historical implications of this word. If one is offended by the word, someone should explain clearly to the owner the implications of the word. now, the use of FOB is unnecessary name calling. Even if you have relatives who are immigrants doesn't mean it's okay to say that. It only speaks of undermining their value and dignity in this country.

[inkpainter]

.. but it should be replaced with Asian. Of course, you've seen owners who are ignorant of the social and historical implications of this word. If one is offended by the word, someone should explain clearly to the owner the implications of the word.

...I would think as educated entrpreneurial business men, whose intelligence i would not insult by implicating they do not know their own history, would understand the impact and implications of what they chose to name their own company

If one is offended by the word, someone should explain clearly to the owner the implications of the word. now, the use of FOB

...FOP...fresh off the plane...1st generation...newbies...just arrived...still learning the ropes...

[sxyOptiKali]

im sorry but i don't think i've ever seen a store called "Black Ni***s BBQ" so why would "oriantal gifts" be different?

[achtungbaby]

[quote:1e01a0705f="inkpainter"]...I would think as educated entrpreneurial business men, whose intelligence i would not insult by implicating they do not know their own history, would understand the impact and implications of what they chose to name their own company[/quote:1e01a0705f]

Using the word "Oriental" in it of itself is not what we're talking about though, it's the use of "Oriental" to describe [b:1e01a0705f]people [/b:1e01a0705f]of Asian descent. As janet mentioned, the word has a long history of demeaning Asian people -- categorizing them, objectifying them and alienating them.

[inkpainter]

[quote:0bc883a510="achtungbaby"][quote:0bc883a510="inkpainter"]...I would think as educated entrpreneurial business men, whose intelligence i would not insult by implicating they do not know their own history, would understand the impact and implications of what they chose to name their own company[/quote:0bc883a510]

Using the word "Oriental" in it of itself is not what we're talking about though, it's the use of "Oriental" to describe [b:0bc883a510]people [/b:0bc883a510]of Asian descent. As janet mentioned, the word has a long history of demeaning Asian people -- categorizing them, objectifying them and alienating them.[/quote:0bc883a510]

thank you for the clarification a-baby...i guess i wouldn't want to be called an object...maybe only of someone's affection :wink:

[achtungbaby]

Well sure, being branded as someone's "Love Machine" is technically objectifiying but tremendously empowering.

[Shuriken]

[quote:c766d67bce="achtungbaby"][quote:c766d67bce="Shuriken"]
Please wake me when I get over my cynicism...assuming I ever do.[/quote:c766d67bce]

...zzzzzzzz...[/quote:c766d67bce]

An appropriate response. :lol:

It will be interesting to see what the "anti-P.C." crowd makes out of this ruling. If it's only limited to government records, I suppose they won't make a big to-do out of it.

[achtungbaby]

[quote:b10accbf2e="Shuriken"]It will be interesting to see what the "anti-P.C." crowd makes out of this ruling.[/quote:b10accbf2e]

If what I've heard from other [i:b10accbf2e]Asian [/i:b10accbf2e] message boards (including this one) is any indication, then bring on the cynicism...!

[inkpainter]

...another humble note on my senseless ranting....

I should have read Kasia post on the article before i starting ass u me...ing that i knew what i was talking about...my apologies... :roll:

...in that light i totally agree (as she backstrokes from her previous post) i don't think white people would want to be noted as "crackers" or "honkies" in political arenas or elsewhere for that matter...

[sandra]

[quote:161c458786="inkpainter"]...another humble note on my senseless ranting....

I should have read Kasia post on the article before i starting ass u me...ing that i knew what i was talking about...my apologies... :roll:

...in that light i totally agree (as she backstrokes from her previous post) i don't think white people would want to be noted as "crackers" or "honkies" in political arenas or elsewhere for that matter...[/quote:161c458786]

what did i post? and where did my post go? :cry:

[achtungbaby]

I think she was talking about the article you submitted.

[inkpainter]

[quote:fc18f70d86="achtungbaby"]I think she was talking about the article you submitted.[/quote:fc18f70d86]

yeah...i flew past it on the front page on the way to the forums ...doop

[thaite]

[quote:180a03044a="inkpainter"]...in that light i totally agree (as she backstrokes from her previous post) i don't think white people would want to be noted as "crackers" or "honkies" in political arenas or elsewhere for that matter...[/quote:180a03044a]
Probably not, but I still don't see the need for a law to coerce people in that direction.

[sandra]

[quote:ff04b6284a="buoywonder"][quote:ff04b6284a="inkpainter"]...in that light i totally agree (as she backstrokes from her previous post) i don't think white people would want to be noted as "crackers" or "honkies" in political arenas or elsewhere for that matter...[/quote:ff04b6284a]
Probably not, but I still don't see the need for a law to coerce people in that direction.[/quote:ff04b6284a]

hm. i actually agree with this. and i have a feeling that the ruling is going to be overturned. because i really can't see how this comports with our 1st Amendment rights.

It's one thing for Asian groups to speak out against the use of such slurs. Quite another for our government to forbid the speech.

[angelnympho]

[quote:49f4d7d4a0="kasia"]hm. i actually agree with this. and i have a feeling that the ruling is going to be overturned. because i really can't see how this is comports with our 1st Amendment rights.

It's one thing for Asian groups to speak out against the use of such slurs. Quite another for our government to forbid the speech.[/quote:49f4d7d4a0]

ohh you're right. i didn't even realize that.