# Since when is the term Oriental offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 22, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025 "2003-08-22T21:53:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Thranduil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/57b2e6/32.png) [@Thranduil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thranduil)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/81 "2003-08-28T19:49:14Z")
Interesting, I have a good friend who hates the term oriental. He cant stand it, he also gets upset when people lump Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Etc. As one race or culture. I have been informed, that Asian is in reference to the asian continent, and if you wanted to be more specific refer to the particular culture and country. Like saying is something is European, then being more specific and stating it is Spanish or Irish. Me I just get to the specific, I say, Japanese, Korean, Thai. If I dont know I use Asian. ---
**Author:** ![SAustinTx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@SAustinTx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SAustinTx)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/82 "2003-08-28T21:05:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dropzone \* > \*\*More questions: > > And my REAL question, and one that has NOT been answered: > > 1. WHY is calling Asia “the Orient” NOT offensive for all the same reasons that calling its current, former, and descendents of former residents “Orientals” IS offensive? \*\* While we’re at it, since Oriental is a rug, Asian is a person, Oriental is offensive, Asian is not, let’s play with that a bit. Since it’s apparently OK to refer to rugs or continents as oriental as long as we’re referring to residents of the area as Asian and **not** Oriental, is it OK for a southern redneck to refer to rap as “nigger music” as long as he dubs it’s practicioners African-Americans? And, yes, that was a joke, although the pre-emptive pointing out of sarcasm probably won’t stop at least one or two people from taking up arms. Jeremy Ulrey ---
**Author:** ![SAustinTx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@SAustinTx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SAustinTx)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/83 "2003-08-28T21:14:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Thranduil \* > \*\*Interesting, > > I have a good friend who hates the term oriental. He cant stand it, he also gets upset when people lump Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Etc. As one race or culture. > Me I just get to the specific, I say, Japanese, Korean, Thai. If I dont know I use Asian. \*\* Yes, but if you don’t know (and MOST Americans will not be able to visually tell the difference between a Japanese, Korean, etc) and have to resort to the word “Asian” you’re just lumping them in with **even more** disparate cultures. How does this appease a person who’s already getting pissed off because his cultural identity is getting watered down and generalized in the first place? I could care less how the term Oriental fares in the vernacular but surely there must be a more specific and more suitable alternative than “Asian”. I edited out your analogy of calling someone from Spain a European instead of a Spaniard, but the reverse analogy is a good one for describing why “Asian” is not a great alternative to Oriental. Jeremy Ulrey ---
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/84 "2003-08-29T01:59:26Z")
Short and sweet (the best farewells): **"Again, YOU are the one who claimed you were only here to discuss how the term “Oriental” came about. I merely pointed out that it was untrue. Please stop trying to turn it around. Your flagrant mischaracterizations are becoming extremely tiresome."** Cite? (sarcasm) Before you reply, **read your own words** : This is NOT a discussion about how the term “Oriental” came about. This might explain your total confusion about the posts here. **"But again, it galls me when people in this day and age, 20-30 years after the fact, are informed of the change that they have missed by being in their own little world, and then proceed to stamp their feet and angrily shout about how silly and “PC” the world is becoming."** Yes, my “own little world”, the “backwater location” known as “New York City”. Or are you referring to say, China? The UK? Guess what, “dude”: “The World” is not just the West Coast of the USA. It’s not even “_The_ USA”. Maybe you should get out more. **"So are you just making up your own “illogical fallacies” [snicker] now? Maybe I was guilty of Publius Homogenous, eh?"** You mean they didn’t _ban_ “snickering” on the West Coast yet? Enjoy it while you can, **Homo Correctus Ad Nauseum**. ---
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/85 "2003-08-29T03:05:13Z")
Originally posted by **SAustinTx** : > [@](#): > > Yes, but if you don’t know **(and MOST Americans will not be able to visually tell the difference between a Japanese, Korean, etc)** and have to resort to the word “Asian” you’re just lumping them in with even more disparate cultures. **How does this appease a person who’s already getting pissed off because his cultural identity is getting watered down** and generalized in the first place?" Jeremy, I’m not sure it’s because they’re pissed about their _cultural_ identity being watered down - in fact it just might be the opposite. Remember, it’s basically Asian _Americans_ (US born) making these changes. You might be interested in this site: [**All Look Same Test**](http://www.alllooksame.com/default.asp). It tests your ability to distinguish between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean faces (18 photos of men and women). [Here’s what it’s about](http://www.alllooksame.com/about.html): > [@](#): > > I’ve always thought that it was one of those urban myths that you can tell different Asians apart. Especially if I can’t see what they are wearing, **I don’t think that I can tell them apart. And, I’m an Asian myself**. > > Some people boastfully claim that they can tell the difference no problem, while others quietly admit that they can’t. Even with those who claim they can, is it really true that they can? Maybe there is something to be said about someone saying “You guys all look the same!” Or, maybe they just don’t know any better. This site, therefore, is a way for me to demystify this issue once and for all. A very interesting site, and there’s a discussion forum as well (which mirrors the different POVs about the “Oriental is offensive” issue). Take the test. It’s hard to tell the difference! (I scored 8 out of 18) Here’s an interesting take on the “Asian American”/PC question from a (Chinese female) columnist on the site: > [@](#): > > **When someone poses the question “Where are you from?” how do you answer?** I for one always answer “Shanghai”, followed with “China”, for the rare few who are so smitten with my beauty that I must further reinforce a world geography lesson for the dirty and naughty schoolboy in all men. > > However I have as of late observed that **this question** , harmless enough in a multicultural grab bag like this fine city, **can create great duress and offense to certain people** of the Asian appearance and persuasion. > > **When a NALP (Non-Asian Looking Person) asks where I am from**, I presume that the question is in fact an implicit inquiry of my ethnicity. The subtle stress on the words are and you in the question suggest that they are by no means interested in a domestic locale such as “Brooklyn”, and they certainly would be enormously disappointed should this pair of rose petal lips answer with a ghastly, “Ohio”. > > I have never assumed the worst in the NALP for noticing my physical difference (after all how could he not notice?), nor have I assumed that this NALP is discriminating and treating me with political in-correctness. For the life of me, I couldn’t conjure another way of inquiring another’s ethnicity. > > One can’t very well say, “Your eyes sho’ look funny. Where are you folk from anyway?” Or “What’s that language you be speakin’ theres?” > > Would the incensed Asian Looking Person (pun intended) be less indignant if the NALP had explicitly asked, “What country are you from?” > > US national versus ethnic identity has created the ideology of being a “dash-American”. No one else in other countries identify himself as an “Chinese-English”, “Chinese-French”, or a “Chinese-Kiwi”. A “Chinese-American”, “Japanese-American”, or **the all-encompassing “Asian-American” exists only in America, where it suggests** : > A) I am not FOB (fresh off the boat), > B) Don’t ask me questions about feng shui or what my Chinese name is, > C) Watch what you say around me. > > Although I do think that having a strong sense of one’s national identity is important, I do not think that this sense can be defined through nomenclature nor through employing _a language of denial_. > > But it appears to matter a great deal to many. Then again, these are probably the people who think Amy Tan is the best thing to happen to Chinese-Americans. More about perceptions and images (more help explaining the motives of “why”): > [@](#): > > **The most pressing issue** , among many, that unites them **is the American public’s perception of Asian Americans being foreign.** > > One of the speakers mentioned the statistics that 60% of Asians (Pacific Asians, to be more exact) are foreign-born. **When this speaker said “we”, he meant the 40% who were born here**. So there is a schism of foreign-born and native-born within the Asian American community. **Within the 40% group, there is an unavoidable feeling of resentment towards the 60% group who perpetuates the perception of being foreign.** > > One of the younger speakers complained about kids throwing rocks at her as she was growing up. It’s not like white social-outcasts don’t get the same treatment. I know a plenty of white people who grew up getting picked on. Does it always have to be about race? > > We all have problems with perceptions. Race is only one of many. Should bald men unite to fight the perception of being unattractive? Should geeks unite to fight the perception of being socially inept? Should blonde bombshells unite to fight the perception of being stupid? There is no end to fighting perceptions if you start. > > One of the speakers at the conference expressed her opinion that any successful Asian Americans owe it to the Asian American community, that they are accountable, and that they have responsibility to the Asian American community. If this is not a racist statement, I’m not sure what is. If this is true, any Asian criminals would owe it to the Asian community too, and we should be responsible for them. Guilt by association, or accountability by association, is the very problem of racism. > > Some people don’t seem to know when to stop complaining and start living. Uniting to fight the perceptions of Asian Americans sounds anal-retentive to me, and it is no accident, I found out this weekend, that anal-retentiveness is another stereotype of Asians. (Well, this bit is just a joke, so take it easy.) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/86 "2003-08-29T04:05:13Z")
I’ve been traveling and didn’t see this until now. YMMV, but let me throw out my standard two cents. Oriental is a colonial (largely British) term and has an inherent negative bias. Oriens may mean “east of” but 1-200 years ago that wasn’t a complement. Read Kipling. Oriental broadly speaking has a different meaning today in the US and in the British Commonwealth/ex.commonwealth countries. Oriental in the US generally means East Asia, in the Commonwealth the Indian Subcontinent/Asia minor. In Hawaii it seems that the Asian/Pacific Islander community tends to use the word “oriental” and “Asian” interchangeably, and certainly isn’t the issue that some people on the US mainland make it out to be. “Oriental is a rug” IMHO is a huge disservice. Oriental defined as a rug is something that came into being in the past 20 years. Also, oft times one hears that Oriental is to Asian as Negro is to Black. Heck that’s not a too poor analogy, but I think obfuscates the issue to mix up two ethnic groups like that. Also, and I’ve seen it on this board, that it’s a short step from someone saying “Oriental is like Negro” to some perhaps well meaning PC parrot insisting that “Oriental is like n_gg_er”. Finally, ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/87 "2003-08-29T04:40:50Z")
Anytime, Exprix. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/88 "2003-08-29T18:19:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dropzone \* > > And you know perfectly well that I’m an unapologetically insensitive jackass. And that’s something to be proud of? Whatever, dude. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/89 "2003-08-29T19:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by annaplurabelle \* > **"Again, YOU are the one who claimed you were only here to discuss how the term “Oriental” came about. I merely pointed out that it was untrue. Please stop trying to turn it around. Your flagrant mischaracterizations are becoming extremely tiresome."** > Cite? (sarcasm) Before you reply, **read your own words** : This is NOT a discussion about how the term “Oriental” came about. This might explain your total confusion about the posts here. _I’m_ not the one who is confused here. Apparently you forgot your numerous protests that you are only here to discuss how the term came about. It’s not _my_ problem that you have such a poor memory of what you yourself wrote. All I can tell you is that it’s incredibly frustrating to debate with someone who makes one claim, and then when proven wrong, says “I never said that”.:rolleyes: > [@](#): > > **"But again, it galls me when people in this day and age, 20-30 years after the fact, are informed of the change that they have missed by being in their own little world, and then proceed to stamp their feet and angrily shout about how silly and “PC” the world is becoming."** > > Yes, my “own little world”, the “backwater location” known as “New York City”. Or are you referring to say, China? The UK? Guess what, “dude”: “The World” is not just the West Coast of the USA. It’s not even “_The_ USA”. Maybe you should get out more. First of all, that comment was not directed at you. I said “people”, not “annaplurabelle”. Second, you conflated two of my posts. One post was a response to the assertion that there are _locations_ where people still say “Oriental”. These _locations_ would be relatively “backwater” places. I assure you that “Oriental” is not the predominate usage in New York City, for example. My _other_ post was about people who are in “their own world”, and wasn’t necessarily directed at you either. But I will say this: If you live in Manhattan, and are unaware of the usage of “Asian”, I would be very careful about telling _other_ people that they “need to get out more”.😃 ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/90 "2003-08-29T22:44:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by annaplurabelle \* > \*\*You might be interested in this site: [**All Look Same Test**](http://www.alllooksame.com/default.asp). It tests your ability to distinguish between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean faces (18 photos of men and women). [Here’s what it’s about](http://www.alllooksame.com/about.html):A very interesting site, and there’s a discussion forum as well (which mirrors the different POVs about the “Oriental is offensive” issue). Take the test. It’s hard to tell the difference! (I scored 8 out of 18) \*\* Actually, I would say that the alllooksame site tests your ability to distinguish American culture. Generally, the people in the test look far different that Asians in Asia, or at least in the humble opinion of this 20 year resident of the orient. ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/91 "2003-08-30T00:57:16Z")
Hey **China Guy** , I like what you say. No offence, but are you by any chance Oriental? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/92 "2003-08-30T03:47:44Z")
No I’m Occidental. Actually, white bread no crust from norcal ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/93 "2003-08-30T14:12:00Z")
Thanks **China Guy** , I’m occidental too. My parents had thought that my four brothers and three sisters were enough. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/94 "2003-08-30T15:01:49Z")
annaplurabelle, They haven’t “banned” anything in terms of private discourse. Washington State has passed a law that changes the language in official documents the state issues. Corporations do this via communication policy documents - mine has one that says we use “Asian” - States do this via either law or policy documents. Secondly, it isn’t necessarily American born Asians making these changes. Korean adoptees are a group that I know has been very vocal in their preference for Asian over Oriental - and none of them were born here. ---
**Author:** ![annaplurabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@annaplurabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annaplurabelle)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/95 "2003-08-31T05:38:54Z")
Dangerosa, Yes, I understand all that. My reason for citing the Washington bill was to show that “many people” (including _some_ Asians), were unaware that “Oriental” was _offensive_ (as per the Senator’s spokesperson). To my mind (and perhaps some others), there’s a distinction between “outdated” and “offensive”. As I said, I agree that it is outdated. What I had never considered was the idea that someone would be “offended” by the term (after all, there are still many people who _do_ use it, whether older US residents, recent immigrants, or communities outside the US). In any case, my subsequent comment to you about political motivations had nothing to do with personal discourse, so I apologise if that’s what has created this confusion about my “intentions”. AFAIK, the term Oriental had NOT been used in most US formal or govt docs for quite some time _prior_ to this bill. In fact, the only change that was effected in Washington state by this bill was the wording of a single, _inactive_ legislation regarding “solicitation of minority contractors for construction of city water mains”. That’s why I called it a “political gesture”. Again, sorry for the topic tangent. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/96 "2003-08-31T11:36:21Z")
C’mon, it’s real simple. This guy Said plucks the notion that the term “Oriental” is offensive out of thin air, when most people, including most of those who might be identified as such, don’t give a rat’s ass about it. A bunch of prissy PC ninnies quickly pick up on the notion that here’s a way to feel superior by criticizing others for “offensive” language, and run with it. That’s all there is to it. That’s all there ever was to it. ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/97 "2003-08-31T13:04:40Z")
It seems as though Oriental is ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/98 "2003-08-31T13:21:09Z")
Errrr…, damn. Sorry, accidental. And I can’t seem to edit it, is that the way it’s supposed to be? But I just wanted to point one thing out. I know I’m repeating others, but here goes… Oriental is _not_ offensive like the “n-word” is, it’s offensive like the word “negro” is. It’s not necessarily offensive, but it’s dated, and it doesn’t sound quite right. In both cases is smacks of an era where the parties referenced by the term were not exactly being treated with respect. Obviously, some Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Taiwanese/Filipino/etc. people don’t find it offensive, but that’s not the universal case. I would in fact imagine that the term “negro” went through this same progression. Using the term Oriental is not derisive, but should be avoided. Why? It makes some people unhappy. Why does it make those people unhappy? I’m sure there are various reasons, the one that comes most immediately to me is the abovementioned reason. I’m not entirely sure if a consensus can be reached between the arguing parties, but…, given the situation, I can surely understand why the inquiring minds want to know exactly why the word is offensive. It’s hard to say, but apparently they don’t much like the idea of simply forcing a word out of their vocabulary to appease the other party. Lastly, Evil Captor, do you really think you’re doing anything productive at all? If you want to make a point, at least try to write something constructive instead of being a jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/99 "2003-09-01T05:02:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dakravel \* > \*\*I’m not entirely sure if a consensus can be reached between the arguing parties, but…, given the situation, I can surely understand why the inquiring minds want to know exactly why the word is offensive. It’s hard to say, but apparently they don’t much like the idea of simply forcing a word out of their vocabulary to appease the other party. > > Lastly, Evil Captor, do you really think you’re doing anything productive at all? If you want to make a point, at least try to write something constructive instead of being a jackass. \*\* Y’know, dakravel, you’re not really supposed to call specific people names in Great Debates. It IS OK to say someone’s opinions are stupid, but not that they are stupid. So you could have said, “Your ideas have all the coherence one would expect of your average jackass” and be OK. Simply calling someone a jackass – not OK. Read the Forum rules if you don’t believe me. My post did have a point but you missed it, so I’ll spell it out for you. I’m actually quite proud of that post – I think it clearly described the nature of the resistance to identifying “oriental” as a term of bigotry. The idea it expressed, albeit dramatically, is this: The objection to the term “Oriental” is not a widespread greivance held by a lot of people as a result of frequently encountering it as a put-down by bigots, either intentionally, as is generally the case with “nigger” or unintentionally, as is generally the case with “negro.” “Oriental” as a term of bigotry is an idea coined by a wack-job ideologue, i.e., Said, picked up on and promulgated by PC types who found it a nifty club to beat others with. Most Asians could give a rat’s ass about it either way. Most Americans and Europeans could give a rat’s ass about it either way. The notion of “oriental” as a term of bigotry is not a legitimate one because only a few academics and ideologues care about it. That clear enough for ya? ---
**Author:** ![dakravel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@dakravel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakravel)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025/100 "2003-09-01T05:46:45Z")
Ok, fine, you aren’t a jackass, you’re just acting like one. You’re insulting people for being offended by something. I myself am Asian American, and while I’m not offended by the term Oriental, I would generally prefer to be called Asian. I understand what you’re trying to prove by your mockery, but it’s just that, mockery. It’s not constructive. I never heard about this case up in Washington, and neither have most of my friends, but they too also prefer the term Asian. Now, I don’t entirely know where you’re from, but I’m in a place where there is a significant Asian population (near Sacramento), so this isn’t just theory, this is actually how things have happened for me. It’s not ‘just a few academics and ideologues’, for me it’s something that most of my friends know about, both Asian and Caucasian. Now, negro was not originally used to be derisive. It was merely a term to describe a particular people. Now it’s considered old-fashioned, and in most cases, derogatory. How is this any different than the term Oriental? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-is-the-term-oriental-offensive/197025.md?page=6)