>In a message dated 10/2/98 7:27:20 PM, you wrote:
>
><<Hi Simon,
>
>I can tell you are a fair-minded and unprejudiced person, so I believe you
>won't take this the wrong way: "Jap" is quite offensive in some parts of
>the world. I believe you intended it with both affection and respect. But
>you will get gut reactions you don't intend to elicit.
>
>"Nuf said, and butting out now.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Joel
>>>
>I suppose technically speaking, the abbreviated name of a country to identify
>a citizen or as an adjective to describe products, lifestyles, or philosophies
>of said country "shouldn't" matter. Aussie, Brit, Swede (even "Yank" which
>sounds like it should be derisive, doesn't it?) and others are certainly used
>for instant identity. It is unfortunate that the wartime slur of "Jap" has
>seemingly continued to have the stigma that should have dissipated long ago.
>If it was acceptable, it would save speech syllables and typing fingers, but
>maybe the Japanese would rather be a bit more formal in their self
>identification anyway. This is a touchy subject, but maybe some of our
>Japanese members would clarify things. Is this something that the Westerners
>just think the Japanese despise, or is it really offensive to them as the 21st
>century looms? I think I know the answer, but.......
>
>-Tim "Pollyanna" Clark
>
It offends me. Aside from the Japanese members of the list, I am sure that
it offends the Japanese-American people who were interned in the U.S.
during WWII and who had their property stolen. I am sure it offends the
children of those people whose inheritances were taken under the guise of
patriotism. I don't know why you think the slur should have dissipated any
more than any other hurtful name that is associated with injustice and
injury. Are you going to argue that since slavery has been abolished for
130 years that no one should be offended by those old racial slurs?
Winsor
Winsor
Winsor Crosby
Long Beach, California
mailto:wincros@xxxxxxxxxxx
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