Why is "Jap" racist?
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From: Baltimore
i don't know, but words like "Jap", "Nip", "Chink", "Gook", etc. just bring some very negative images in my mind. i lived in OKC for a few years while young, and i was called "Chink" so much people thought it was my real name 
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From: Denver CO
Originally posted by mingster
i don't know, but words like "Jap", "Nip", "Chink", "Gook", etc. just bring some very negative images in my mind. i lived in OKC for a few years while young, and i was called "Chink" so much people thought it was my real name
i don't know, but words like "Jap", "Nip", "Chink", "Gook", etc. just bring some very negative images in my mind. i lived in OKC for a few years while young, and i was called "Chink" so much people thought it was my real name
Your post is what makes this a very difficult subject to discuss. It sounds like the context in which you heard "chink" was racist and that's wrong. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't classify every use of that word as racist. I don't mind being called chink. I've never had to deal with the racist use of it, at least not that I remember. I've had friends use it in the same manner that many black people will use the N word amongst themselves; in a way that is, if anything, positive. Many of those friends are of Asian descent as well so I they can't be accused of being racist. I guess I'm willing to celebrate difference instead of trying to sweep it under the carpet. The people I hang out with don't mind using our racial differences as a source of humor, but not in a negative way. It's hard to explain over the 'net, but I hope you can at least acknowledge that there are times when using the differences we all have between us doesn't have to be a racist thing.
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From: Baltimore
Aaron,
it's probably just how i was brought up, you know? i acknowledge the racial differences, but i don't think i can go around calling my chinese friends chink, or my other friends other names...you know?
anyway, people have their right to say what they want, and i guess i'm ok with jap or chink if they don't have malice behind it.
it's probably just how i was brought up, you know? i acknowledge the racial differences, but i don't think i can go around calling my chinese friends chink, or my other friends other names...you know?
anyway, people have their right to say what they want, and i guess i'm ok with jap or chink if they don't have malice behind it.
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From: Honolulu
As an American of Japanese Ancestry, I'm not too fond of the word "jap" Since it's never used in a complimentary manner or a jovial term of endearment (like the previous person mentioned "brit" is used), I guess it's a got a negative conotation with me. Does it really bug me? Not really. If I heard someone use the word in a phrase, I suppose I'd expect to see an older person or perhaps a WWII vet and probably excuse it is a slang from his generation.
What really bugs me is seen on store shelves everyday in every state and maybe around the world. CHEESE NIPS!
What really bugs me is seen on store shelves everyday in every state and maybe around the world. CHEESE NIPS!
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From: Denver CO
Originally posted by PeaceLove&S2K
I agree with almost everything you have to say here. I think we should try to accept those who are different from us, rather than pretend everyone's the same. It's through that everyone is fundamentally the same, but there are also differences. Differences that arise from the way we are brought up, the community or society we grew up in, the country were from etc. Like you said, we should try and celebrate our differences.
What I somewhat disagree with you on is when you said, "Many of those friends are of Asian descent as well so I they can't be accused of being racist." I'm sure your friends are just joking with you, but I think that when an Asian is being derogatory towards another Asian it's still racist.
I agree with almost everything you have to say here. I think we should try to accept those who are different from us, rather than pretend everyone's the same. It's through that everyone is fundamentally the same, but there are also differences. Differences that arise from the way we are brought up, the community or society we grew up in, the country were from etc. Like you said, we should try and celebrate our differences.
What I somewhat disagree with you on is when you said, "Many of those friends are of Asian descent as well so I they can't be accused of being racist." I'm sure your friends are just joking with you, but I think that when an Asian is being derogatory towards another Asian it's still racist.