The word "Oriental" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

¤Graced¤ · 05-22-2003, 08:22 PM

My friend thinks the word Oriental to call an Asian person is racist. I really don't think its racist but just "outdated". This has been bugging me for about a week, I asked my asian friend and all she said was "what the hell is oriental?" Does anyone else think it's racist?

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 05-22-2003, 08:23 PM

...no.

BrandonS · 05-22-2003, 08:29 PM

It hasn't been considered racist at any previous time during my life. It simply means, originating from the Orient. Anyway, it's nothing to get too excited about, because whatever is the accepted term today will not be the accepted term tomorrow. I've seen the "good" and "bad" terms for various ethnic groups change and even reverse during my lifetime. It's what you mean by it that's the most important.

*PinkLady* · 05-22-2003, 09:03 PM

It's not racist; it's just a word that people don't commonly use, like you said.

Czas na Zywiec · 05-22-2003, 09:10 PM

If Oriental is racist, then I guess you'll have to consider Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Europeon racist too. It simply just relates what section of the world you're from, not a specific groupf of people or a single nation.

Crimson and Clover · 05-22-2003, 09:12 PM

ive used it a few times and i dont think that it's racists.

LucyFan · 05-22-2003, 09:20 PM

No . . . I wouldn't say that is racist. It's like another word for asian. Maybe it could be considered a slang word?

Tuesday Weld · 05-22-2003, 10:01 PM

I don't think it's racist.

-*Leah*- · 05-22-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vintagetvgirl
I don't think it's racist.

ditto!

~*Hannah_Lee*~ · 05-22-2003, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Original Prankster
If Oriental is racist, then I guess you'll have to consider Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Europeon racist too. It simply just relates what section of the world you're from, not a specific groupf of people or a single nation.

Exactly. I personally don't think of the word as being racist, either.

Just Popped In · 05-23-2003, 12:21 AM

I know of a few Asian folks who call themselves "Oriental" (they don't care either way), but of course, everyone is different in what they're comfortable with.

fr00ti · 05-23-2003, 12:31 AM

I don't think it's racist.

Cashodeen · 05-23-2003, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Midnight LaCE

My friend thinks the word Oriental to call an Asian person is racist. I really don't think its racist but just "outdated". This has been bugging me for about a week, I asked my asian friend and all she said was "what the hell is oriental?" Does anyone else think it's racist?

This political correctness craze now has some people thinking "Oriental" is racist. Now that is funny. Midnight LaCE, did you ask your friend why he thinks that? I'm curious to know why. (It's also suprising your Asian friend had never heard of it either. You've got some interesting friends.

) I hope you'll tell your friend all the feedback you've gotten from here. I specificially like what BrandonS and Original Prankster had to say. Great points

sara · 05-23-2003, 03:32 AM

I never thought it was racist.

ABlairican Pie · 05-23-2003, 07:54 AM

It's not racist, it's just antiquated and old-fashioned. Not "PC" enough for some people. How come people whose origins are from Europe aren't called "Occidental"?

05-22-2003, 08:22 PM	#1
¤Graced¤ MBV Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 14, 2002 Location: The emerald city (Seattle) Posts: 801	The word "Oriental" My friend thinks the word Oriental to call an Asian person is racist. I really don't think its racist but just "outdated". This has been bugging me for about a week, I asked my asian friend and all she said was "what the hell is oriental?" Does anyone else think it's racist?

05-22-2003, 09:12 PM	#6
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	ive used it a few times and i dont think that it's racists.
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05-22-2003, 10:01 PM	#8
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	I don't think it's racist.
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05-23-2003, 12:21 AM	#11
Just Popped In Lucy & Ricky forever Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 16, 2002 Location: Monterey Peninsula, California Posts: 304	I know of a few Asian folks who call themselves "Oriental" (they don't care either way), but of course, everyone is different in what they're comfortable with.
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05-23-2003, 12:31 AM	#12
fr00ti Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 16, 2002 Posts: 12,846	I don't think it's racist.
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05-22-2003, 08:23 PM	#2
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	...no.

05-22-2003, 08:29 PM	#3
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	It hasn't been considered racist at any previous time during my life. It simply means, originating from the Orient. Anyway, it's nothing to get too excited about, because whatever is the accepted term today will not be the accepted term tomorrow. I've seen the "good" and "bad" terms for various ethnic groups change and even reverse during my lifetime. It's what you mean by it that's the most important.

05-22-2003, 09:03 PM	#4
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	It's not racist; it's just a word that people don't commonly use, like you said.

05-22-2003, 09:10 PM	#5
Czas na Zywiec what up Forum Star Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Southwest Side, Chicago Posts: 18,398	If Oriental is racist, then I guess you'll have to consider Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Europeon racist too. It simply just relates what section of the world you're from, not a specific groupf of people or a single nation.

05-22-2003, 09:20 PM	#7
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	No . . . I wouldn't say that is racist. It's like another word for asian. Maybe it could be considered a slang word?

05-23-2003, 03:32 AM	#14
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	I never thought it was racist.
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05-23-2003, 07:54 AM	#15
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	re: "racist"? It's not racist, it's just antiquated and old-fashioned. Not "PC" enough for some people. How come people whose origins are from Europe aren't called "Occidental"?
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