New York Times Says McDonald's 'Asian Salad' Is Racist

[yuna628 9,676]

I never for the life of me could figure out why this company was called: http://www.orientaltrading.com/

 

From a personal standpoint I'm not a fan of the term Oriental. Not that it should be inherently offensive, but... as I've said before words mean things. If a word, however well-intentioned it used to be, was also used in a negative connotation, I think a person could understand how it could then cause offense. This term was likely used a lot around WWII..as well as the term 'Japs' and other words being used as a slur. It drums up certain images and negatives that I think we should be conscientious and considerate in understanding. In the past this country has done a great disservice in representing Asian culture and continues to some degree to whitewash in films. The article quoted above, mentions calling someone from Mississippi a 'Southerner' and how this is not offensive. But I would point out there was a time when the term 'southerner' might also be seen negatively, in the same way a 'notherner' might be, or even a 'Yankie', 'Yank', 'gypsy' or 'redneck', 'gringo' etc. Inherently people may not be intending to cause offense but if it can also be used in a negative way - if you want to be polite to people, why use it in the first place or assume that it's okay to?

Edited May 2, 2017 by yuna628

[Umka36 781]

The last time I was referred as Oriental was when I was 19 in the military getting surgery done on my leg. It's on my medical record, and it just sounds funny to be referred as Oriental (reminds me of top ramen for some reason).

 

Does it offend me, not one bit. I also realize back then (mid 90's) and in Georgia, they probably don't meet many Asians.

 

Not every name is racist or ment to be offensive.

[Teddy B 17,252]

31 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

I never for the life of me could figure out why this company was called: http://www.orientaltrading.com/

 

From a personal standpoint I'm not a fan of the term Oriental. Not that it should be inherently offensive, but... as I've said before words mean things. If a word, however well-intentioned it used to be, was also used in a negative connotation, I think a person could understand how it could then cause offense. This term was likely used a lot around WWII..as well as the term 'Japs' and other words being used as a slur. It drums up certain images and negatives that I think we should be conscientious and considerate in understanding. In the past this country has done a great disservice in representing Asian culture and continues to some degree to whitewash in films. The article quoted above, mentions calling someone from Mississippi a 'Southerner' and how this is not offensive. But I would point out there was a time when the term 'southerner' might also be seen negatively, in the same way a 'notherner' might be, or even a 'Yankie', 'Yank', 'gypsy' or 'redneck', 'gringo' etc. Inherently people may not be intending to cause offense but if it can also be used in a negative way - if you want to be polite to people, why use it in the first place or assume that it's okay to?

Pretty much any label can be used in a negative manner, but it all depends on the intentions behind the words. If we keep removing words/labels from our language that offend someone, we're going to have a very short vocabulary left to speak and write with. It is not necessary to mince words to be polite, if a person is being polite the intent will show itself for what it is.

 

That being said, I do agree that there a certain trigger words that are offensive and should not be used, but we need to draw a line somewhere and for me the word Oriental is on that line. If someone were to call me racist for using that word, I would more than likely laugh at them.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

58 minutes ago, Jacque67 said:

 

the best scene in the movie....didn't know you could still get Chesterfields

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

3 hours ago, Teddy B said:

 

Stop off for some Oriental food and relax a bit.

we have a Filipina friend in her early 50's She was shocked the other day when she kept saying Oriental and I told her it was racist. 

 

whatever you do don't use an abbreviation for Chinese communist 

[Teddy B 17,252]

1 minute ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

we have a Filipina friend in her early 50's She was shocked the other day when she kept saying Oriental and I told her it was racist. 

 

whatever you do don't use an abbreviation for Chinese communist 

That'll get you an unwanted vacation from VJ.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

2 hours ago, Teddy B said:

That'll get you an unwanted vacation from VJ.

 

A ride down Chest history, in one of its more bewildering moments 

[Teddy B 17,252]

2 minutes ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

 

A ride down Chest history, in one of its more bewildering moments 

Bizarro

[ready4ONE 5,400]

My understanding of the issue is that oriental refers to objects and things, Asian refers to people. Using oriental to describe a person is demeaning and was historically a racist thing to say.

[smilesammich 10,727]

3 hours ago, ccneat said:

the best scene in the movie....didn't know you could still get Chesterfields

love that movie, the scenes with walken and hopper are the best..

[spookyturtle 9,465]

10 hours ago, Teddy B said:

This kind of generalizing is beyond ridiculous. There is no "left" to ask. there is no "left" to answer. Try expanding your horizons and put some thought into what you post.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

10 hours ago, Teddy B said:

It really reflects on you more than anything else. I always get a laugh out of it.

 

[spookyturtle 9,465]

10 hours ago, Teddy B said:

Yet you're on this board daily making numerous posts expressing your opinions. You either do care or simply do not get enough attention at home.

Good point. 

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

3 hours ago, smilesammich said:

love that movie, the scenes with walken and hopper are the best..

I really think that that scene is just improv from two geniuses...it could happen 

[Dashinka 24,494]

3 hours ago, ready4ONE said:

My understanding of the issue is that oriental refers to objects and things, Asian refers to people. Using oriental to describe a person is demeaning and was historically a racist thing to say.

As stated earlier in this thread, Oriental literally means from the East, so it could apply to anything (objects or people) that come from the East based on the observer's perspective.  I don't see a lot of derogatory meaning there, but it is an outdated word as from everyone's perspective it could literally mean anyone or anything with origins East of their vantage point.  People in California could refer to anyone or anything that comes from New York as Oriental.