Unfortunately, this is the case in many (if not most) countries, including the United States. It's along the lines of "to the victor go the spoils" or something like that.

 

Side note: One of Dad's racer buddies bought three Miatas when they first came out; one for summer street use, one for all year use (used by wife in the summer), and one to be built into a track only car.

License plate on 1st car: JAP TOY
License plate on 2nd car: JAP SLIDR (he'd pull wicked drifts in winter driving)
License plate on track car: JAP RACR

After a few complaints years down the road by other motorist, the first two plates where not allowed for renewal. The third plate is now on his kid's street Integ that's been riced to hell.

 

You guys really have no idea huh? "Jap" is as derogatory to a japanese person as slanders like the "n" word for african americans. It was primarly used in WWII as a short way to distinguish Japanese people. Much as a sign in the early 20th century would read, "NO COLORED ALLOWED," signs were put saying, "NO JAPS ALLOWED." Would you call your car a JAP RACR if that was the same as calling it (no racism intended) a NIGGER RACR? same deal here. guys There are some lables that are somewhat accepted short forms of races, i.e. brits, but would you find yourself roaming the streets of the UK calling eveyone a Brit?

now rice is a different term...that is just plain funny. born out of the auto and cycle industry as a term to describe japanese transportation. i.e. rice rocket. or a poor example of japanese tuning. i.e. altezza lights, "just plain rice."

be careful when using the term JAP around asians, cause if there is a japanese person there who knows his history, he will look at you like an idiot. he might not say anything. but remember, how stupid do you feel when you call an african american the N word?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by djkojione

[B]be careful when using the term JAP around asians, cause if there is a japanese person there who knows his history, he will look at you like an idiot.

 

true. i guess its know what you are saying and who you are saying it to...

 

I think it depends on how you say it.

"You stupid f^cking Jap"

"Hey Jap, how's it going? *big grin*

 

Just use the word "Japanese" . How hard is it?

 

Hey, you know the other meaning of JAP that is derogatory?

 

It seems in today's America, the youth have taken many derogatory words and use them for purposes not originally intended. For example, the words "bitch, "ho", the "n" word, are now used in their everyday language. Is it correct to use? Who's to say. However, I won't be sharing these terms in my everyday conversations. I feel it diminishes us as a people. Just my opinion.

 

You're right with regard to the words you mentioned. However, it seems that each generation has their own set of "racist" words used to describe people from differing backgrounds. When you were younger it was probably WOP, Chink, etc....Words that don't get used much today and have been replaced. Have you seen All in the Family? Archie had great slang terms for each race.

I would disagree with you on whether it diminishes us as a race though. I believe what is a problem is all the political correctness in the world. You can't just live in a box that says this word bad, that word good. If a word is used in a derogatory manner it reflects on the person who used the word. In certain situations, as illustrated in Babygrass' post, the same words can be used in a non-derogatory manner and IMO that's fine. When you take judgement out of the equation, you end up with situations such as teachers being disciplined for teaching words like "niggardly" to their class, and THAT diminishes our society.