New York State bans use of 'Oriental' term

timesofindia ^ | 10 September 2009

[wtc911]

You know of course that that actor was Swedish, right?

[Palladin]

Yes, of course...Sidney Toler.

I enjoyed those movies so much as a child.

I suppose they are politically incorrect now.

[Altura Ct.]

Oriental works for me. The language police and any other form of thought monitors can go straight to hell.

[wtc911]

Actually that was Warner Oland, the other Swede who played Charlie.

That series is one of my favorites. They tried to bring it back as a vehicle for Lucy Liu (as number one daughter) but the hollywood bozos lack the balls to do it. They would have ruined it anyway.

[Palladin]

They all look alike.

(Don’t hit me. I love Chinese people...Swedes, too. Have them in my family.)

[wtc911]

The third Chan was Roland Winters. I remember as a child wondering about the similarities in the names.

btw....I have both Swedes and Chinese in the family.

[rwfromkansas]

I don’t see how oriental is derogatory in any way....can somebody explain it.

It’s old-fashioned, and I say Asian. But, how is it derogatory....it’s not the N word.

[SunkenCiv]

Assemblywoman Grace Meng said the word "Oriental" is derogatory and offensive in the category of race.

Ten years from now, the term "Asian" will be derogatory and offensive in the category of race.

BTW, in the future, the metaphor "chink in the armor" will no longer be tolerated.

[JoeProBono]

[timm22]

It’s old-fashioned, and I say Asian. But, how is it derogatory....it’s not the N word.

Here's one explanation I've come across. Way back when "Oriental" was in common usage, prejudice against Asian people was prevalent. Although the term itself may not be used with derogatory intent, it reminds some Asian people of that time when most other people saw them as inferior. Therefore, they are not comfortable with the word.

Still doesn't make any sense to me, but I'm not Asian. Growing up I usually heard the word when someone was politely trying to refer to an Asian person...when people wanted to be offensive, they used much worse labels. In fact, I can't ever recall hearing "Oriental" in anything but a bland, descriptive matter. But maybe that's just a regional thing.

Makes me wonder how long we have before "Asian" becomes unacceptable, and what the new term will be.

[SunkenCiv]

Ohhhh, you’re so baaaad. ;’D

[JoeProBono]

;-{)