Ah, the tone argument. I can't help how you feel about it. How do you think I feel, having to explain the term over and over again? How many times have I explained it to you, personally? That explanation wasn't even directed at you, and you still took it personally.
As to "it has no meaning". Where do I even start? It's not the intention that matters, but the effect it has. Just because the meaning is fluid and a construct does not mean it does not have real effects on actual human beings. I very strongly urge you to look into the effects of Orientalism and its continued existence. I could start explaining to you the systemic effects, but that would take a whole 101 post, and a lot of emotional energy that I'm already saving for another day.
"Asian". Is it really that hard? Didn't I say this before? "People are Asian". I'm quite sure I wrote that.
I've never personally heard oriental used disparagingly
Here's the thing about the term "Oriental" and I shall give you a quick Coles Notes version. When it was first created, it wasn't meant as a disparaging term. It just meant "those exotic, decadent, morally bankrupt, beautiful, luxurious, despotic cultures so different and alien to our perfectly cultured European types". Orientalism used to refer to "the study of the Orient", usually done by men who had never visited the Orient, and viewed it through a specific lens, that of "we in Europe are superior."
Now, you can use your Google-fu to find out the more of it. Or look up Edward Said's book, Orientalism. I think the SMU library has a copy.
Oh, that's nice, William. It's really good to know that your freedom to use words however you want trumps my right as a human being, a visible minority even, to define these words often used to label who I am. Your principles are more important to you than who I am.
We've gone over this before on Twitter, Will. The first time is a learning opportunity. The second time begins a pattern. The third time this happens, I quit calling you my friend.
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regna
(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-13 06:23 pm (UTC)There's a bit of a beam in your eye there.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-13 06:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-13 06:30 pm (UTC)As to "it has no meaning". Where do I even start? It's not the intention that matters, but the effect it has. Just because the meaning is fluid and a construct does not mean it does not have real effects on actual human beings. I very strongly urge you to look into the effects of Orientalism and its continued existence. I could start explaining to you the systemic effects, but that would take a whole 101 post, and a lot of emotional energy that I'm already saving for another day.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-13 06:53 pm (UTC)I've never personally heard oriental used disparagingly
Here's the thing about the term "Oriental" and I shall give you a quick Coles Notes version. When it was first created, it wasn't meant as a disparaging term. It just meant "those exotic, decadent, morally bankrupt, beautiful, luxurious, despotic cultures so different and alien to our perfectly cultured European types". Orientalism used to refer to "the study of the Orient", usually done by men who had never visited the Orient, and viewed it through a specific lens, that of "we in Europe are superior."
Now, you can use your Google-fu to find out the more of it. Or look up Edward Said's book, Orientalism. I think the SMU library has a copy.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-12-14 12:26 am (UTC)We've gone over this before on Twitter, Will. The first time is a learning opportunity. The second time begins a pattern. The third time this happens, I quit calling you my friend.