Oriental/Asian ATC

As an Asian American, I am very put off by your use of "Oriental"--a term that's outdated, politically incorrect and well... offensive (at least in the USA). Here is a Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient To put things in perspective a little bit, this would be comparable to calling a black person a Negro.

I've seen Oriental used in other swaps so I'm sure that quite a few of the people here on Swap-bot use that term as well (not to mention those who join the swaps). I highly doubt that any of you mean to intentionally offend people who are of Asian heritage, but you most likely are (again I'm not sure about other countries, but it's definitely offensive in the U.S.).

It's your swap so you don't have to change it, but please consider using "Asian" instead or just go with images instead of requring that "Oriental" appear on the ATC.

Thank you.

By "All media welcome but must include ORIENTAL somewhere on the ATC" do you mean oriental/Asian images or the actual word "Oriental"?

Krazyquilts thanks for your comments.... For this Swap i share an interest in Oriental / Asian Culture.... The ATC should be of oriental/asian images Such as fans, bonsai trees, bamboo, pandas, writing styles and words, teas and teapots, symbols, . or whatever else comes to mind.....I hope this clears up what is needed.

"Oriental refers to objects and material good such as rugs, stores, teapots, etc" was pulled from your reference. Which I might add, WIKIPEDIEA is a unreliable source for any refernce. At what point was this intended as a racial slure towards anyone of the asian decent. Are you offended by oriental trading company. Probably not. I think you need to think before you post. Your interpretation is obviously lost somewhere. People hide to much under the banner of political correctness. Yes the term is offenseive when used in the wrong context. Obviously not the case here.

As another Asian in America, my family and I aren't offended by "oriental"... no more than we are Asian, Korean, etc. It's what we are.

I have to say that only 2 people I have ever come into contact with consider it to be offensive (one was white (oops... is that politically correct? Or is it European descendent? Caucasian?)) and the other is the discussion poster here). For it to really be that offensive, you'd think that it'd be more widely opposed to by Asians and others.

SpinKnitUp - Nobody is really Oriental, but if you'd like to believe you are then you're entitled to that. There is however no continent or country that is called Orient. Orient originates from oriens which means east. The term is also tied to Western imperialism and the exotification of Asia and its people.

Quite a few of my friends and people I've encountered who aren't of Asian heritage are offended by the use of Orient in place of Asian. Just because you are Asian and aren't offended doesn't justify the use of the term. It is widely opposed; that's why you don't hear politicians, scholars, or most people using it (including the [white] person you mentioned). If it was just as acceptable as Asian, then everyone would be saying it, just as often as "Asian," right?

An aside... one of my professors in college was rewriting one of his books and I caught the use of "Oriental" in his draft. He was extremely thankful that I did and changed it to Asian immediately, adding that things back then ('80s) were different and the term is "completely unacceptable" now.

ctekk2005 - I posted the Wikipedia article because it was one of the first things to pop up in my search; it was convenient since I was tired very early this morning when I was nursing my son. In general it is a good place to find out things, but I would agree that it is not the end all be all of references.

Oriental is not only a term that can erroneously apply to things (the one and ONLY time I ever hear the term is when it's accompanied by "rug"), but it can also be used in reference to [Asian] people. Whenever it's used to describe people, it is at its most offensive. Riacabral1983's original swap image was of Japanese women or geishas.

If you are so unashamed and sure that Oriental is a perfectly okay term to use, why didn't you post your comment under your real username instead of creating a new one?

Oh and I am actually a little offended by "Oriental Trading Company." They'll never get my money, that's for sure.

To riacabral1983 - I don't believe you were trying to offend anyone and I'm sorry that I had to clutter up your swap page with my comment (and indirectly the replies to it), but I felt it was necessary. I've seen too many swaps go by with Oriental in the title or description and thought it was time to say something.

Just because a term is widespread doesn't make it acceptable. Not too long ago, the N word was commonly used to describe all sorts of things, including in some companies' products and names - but that didn't make it any less hurtful.

Thank you, riacabral1983, for clearing that up.

Again still trying to figure out when we(being this post) used oriental about A PERSON!!

I post to these cause I am sick of people hiding behind politcal correctness crap.

I am sorry people get all butt hurt about other peoples interpretations and capabilities for taking things out of context. I am white. Do I plan on taking ritz to court cause they have "Crakers" no. The context people look at the context. COME ON WATCH CARLOS!!!!!!!!!!! DER DER DER

Anonymous, mysterious, blank-profiled Ctekk, please simmer down. I agree that this swap did not single out any particular Asian person or Asian people in general. However, the theme was Oriental. Hmm, what comes to mind when one thinks of "Oriental" (or for mine and some others' sakes "Asian")? Perhaps food, Buddhism, kawaii things, American remade Asian movies and... people? Also, I guess you didn't see my statement earlier that the original swap image was of Japanese women. Japanese women are people, right? The title of the swap was "Oriental ATC" so anything the artist decided to put on her ATC (including people) would be linked to the term Oriental. It may have been a misunderstanding on my part, but I thought that "must include ORIENTAL somewhere on the ATC" from the original swap description meant that the artist had to further reinforce this connection (possibly to people like the Japanese women from the first swap image) by actually labeling their ATC "Oriental."

Even if there was absolutely no way to connect Oriental to people here, it's still at the very least an incorrect and outdated term.

Comment again if you like, but I don't think I have anything more to say to you here. Oh wait, there's one last thing... "DER." I couldn't resist.

Again, to riacabral1983 and everyone who's reading, my apologies for directly and indirectly filling up the bottom of this swap page. I actually like Asian/Asian-themed things too and think this swap is a great idea, but had to point out that the use of Oriental (especially but not only when it's referring to people) is offensive.

Coming from the other side of world and living close to the Asian countries 'Oriental' is considered an artistic interpretation of the best and 'prettiest' of Asian images. To just ask for an Asian image could mean a rice paddy.

Sadly, I'm going to have to drop out :-( because I just found out I'm going to be having several houseguests this week. I really wanted to make these ATCs, too. riacabral1983, will you please let me know if the due date (which is set on a Sunday strangely enough) changes or if you do another swap later on? Thanks!

Really wish i could drop out of this swap now ,but i know its too late ...i think this is getting far to political for me to enjoy this swap now .. but i will still send my swaps out on time .... :o( ..

Sorry you feel that way, bettysoo. Try to have fun and don't let the little disagreements get to you! I enjoy a good spat every now and then and forget that others aren't the same. I hope you have a good time.

This is on/off topic... is the term "Middle East" also considered offensive since there is no country called that? I thought I was current on offensive stuff, but new things are coming up everyday.

I agree I wish I could drop out of this swap too... I love Asian things but I think this was a bad idea for a swap....

Hey there, I need to figure out whom my partners are that I send to, its not showing up, Im going to be sending a little late.

Ok, what is the term you prefer? I Chinese appropria nationste for the newly created nations?