the use of "orientals"

Please do not use "oriental" because it is derogatory and insulting. Many people prefer the use of "Asian" instead. "Oriental" has the connotation with rugs, furniture, tea, food, etc., not people. Also, "oriental" is used by others to put Asians in an unflattering light, a demeaning way. When people continue to use the word, it only encourages others in thinking the two terms are synonomous and equally acceptable. They are not. As a Korean, I definitely understand Japan doesn't exactly have a blameless history. But does any country have one? You can't justify what a television show does (portray negative stereotypes of a racial group) by pointing fingers at people of that country. Both are wrong and let's leave it at that.

Eunice

Oriental (adj.) Relating to the countries, or regions of the Orient or to their peoples, languages or culture.

Orient (n.) The countries of Asia (esp. eastern Asia) and the adjacent islands of the Malay Peninsula.

Webster's II New College Dictionary doesn't think there's anything derogatory or insulting about the word Oriental. Maybe you're being a bit oversensitive.

BTW, please don't use this newsgroup to attempt to influence
peoples' thought processes.  If you don't have anything Seinfeld
related to talk about, please find another newsgroup. Thanks.
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Insulting to who? What term should we use to describe Oriental people? By your thinking we should not call people from Africa Africans, people from Europe Europeans, etc. Now if someone called an Oriental a slope head or slant eye I could understand, but Oriental is the word used to describe Orientals. Are you sure you go to Temple?

Jeff

DETROIT RED WINGS! STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!

Not all "Orientals" or "asians" care. It is only derogitory and insulting if you make it to be. Don't you have anything better to do then waste your time trying to figure out what to call yourself?

Oriental meaning from the East. I'm Chinese, and I call myself oriental. The Northeast people call people from the South "Southerners," and they don't get offended because of the existence of a "southern" culture. There is also no problem referring to European and American culture as Western culture either.

-Andrew

Even though I live in midtown, people are constantly referring to where I live as downtown.